[af_vet_1981]

alQaeda leaders reacted with shock and disbelief on Monday over President Bush (news - web sites)'s robust backing of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld against calls for his resignation.

Critics had called for him to quit after the furor over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners but analysts, editors and ordinary Arabs were united in their condemnation of Bush who said the United States owed Rumsfeld a "debt of gratitude."

"After the victories in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world by the American army and their allies, President Bush goes out and congratulates Rumsfeld. It's just incredible. I am in total shock," said Ayman azZawahiri, editor of the influential alQaeda daily alMujahada Tastamer.

"Bush's praise for Rumsfeld will discredit the United States...and further damage its reputation, which is already at a historic low in alQaeda," he added.

[Gracey]

Where was the Arab outrage when Saddam Hussein killed thousands of Moslems?

What a pile of garbage all this outrage/lack of outrage. Bah humbug.