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Bin Laden's Doomsday plan (Bush's attempt to blame Hussein for 911 has been devasted!)
Sydney Morning Herald ^ | June 18, 2004 | Paul McGeough, Chief Correspondent and agencies

Posted on 06/17/2004 8:26:45 AM PDT by dead

Americans were confronted yesterday with the unabridged horror of Osama bin Laden's original plans for September 11, and witnessed a devastating assault on the credibility of the White House campaign to justify war in Iraq by linking Saddam Hussein to al-Qaeda and the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Americans will be chilled by an independent commission's reconstruction of what might have been - a Doomsday attack by 10 hijacked aircraft across the US, with the synchronised mid-air explosion of more aircraft over the Pacific.

The additional hijacked aircraft would have been crashed into nuclear power plants and symbolic buildings on both coasts. On one commercial jet all of the male passengers were to have been murdered before the plane was landed as a grotesque show-and-tell for the media at a big US airport.

The reconstruction, the damnation of the Bush effort to hold Saddam responsible, and the commission's detailed portrait of life and business in al-Qaeda were based on more than 1000 interviews, including records of the interrogation of prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay since their capture by US forces in Afghanistan in the war that followed the September 11 attacks.

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States is not scheduled to make its final report public until July 26, only three months before the US presidential vote.

But a report by its investigative staff concludes with conviction: "We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al-Qaeda co-operated on attacks against the United States."

The report kicked the legs from under another long-held White House justification for war when it declared that there was no evidence to support the theory that the lead hijacker, Mohammed Atta, had met an Iraqi intelligence agent in Prague before the attacks.

Going even further, it left the White House exposed by reporting that bin Laden had "explored possible co-operation with Iraq" while he was based in Sudan in the early 1990s.

He had requested space in Iraq for training camps and sought assistance in procuring weapons, but these efforts "do not appear to have resulted in a collaborative relationship".

The inquiry's investigators say that bin Laden apparently scaled back to a four-aircraft attack on September 11 because he worried that the original plan was too complex to pull off.

Estimating that the final plan cost no more than $US550,000 ($800,000), they portray in graphic detail how ragged its execution was.

"The 9/11 conspirators confronted operational difficulties, internal disagreements and even dissenting opinions within the leadership of al-Qaeda," the investigators say, detailing clashes over targets, timing and scope of the long-planned attacks.

Meanwhile, FBI and CIA officials giving evidence on the last hearing days of the inquiry, appointed by President George Bush, warned that al-Qaeda operatives were preparing fresh attacks inside the US.

While conceding that they knew little about al-Qaeda's capacity in the US, the officials insisted that functioning terrorist cells were still operating in the country.

Authorities had probably prevented a few aviation attacks since 2001, but "there are operatives involved in those plots that we still cannot account for", one of the officials told the 10-man commission.

An FBI special agent, Mary Deborah Doran, who has specialised in the al-Qaeda investigation, said the terrorist network could still look for help from sympathisers in the US.

But Ms Doran emphasised that any large-scale terrorist attack would require new operatives who had been infiltrated into the US. "The threat comes from outside," she said.

The Bush Administration is already under pressure over the failure of another of its justifications for the Iraq war - the supposed existence of weapons of mass destruction in the country that might have been channelled to terrorist groups.

In recent weeks it has also been criticised over the abuse and torture of prisoners in Iraq and elsewhere.

Responding to the new disclosures, Senator John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said that the Bush Administration had "misled America ... it had reached too far".


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: aussiejackass
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To: dead

No, but most are Democrats / Liberals - the former if US citizens, the later if not.

Bush never once said Iraq was involved with 9/11.

And the myth that an airplane could breach a containment building at a nuke plant has been "completely and totally devastated" to many times to count.

This guy is only slightly more over the top than Soledad O'Brian was on CNN this morning, btw.

Slightly....


41 posted on 06/17/2004 9:17:03 AM PDT by Badeye
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To: DannyTN

Hey let`s not forget also that the mutts who bombed the WTC the first time came into the US using Iraqi passports and afterwards one or two fled back to Iraq after it was done. Doesn`t prove they were supported by Saddam, but you have to ask yourself, if you wanted to come to the US, would you use the passport of a country that the US ain`t too friendly with? To me it reeks of taunting by Saddam in revenge for the gulf war. People seem to forget that Saddam was a psycho who was mighty PO-ed over that. They seem to forget the oil wells being opened and everything else, and they are so damn sure that Saddam was 100% innocent of having any connections whatsoever to Al Qaida? Are they kidding me? This is a guy who would literally knock off 10 or 20 people just if he was in a bad mood, but liberals still think Saddam just went to his room like a nice boy after the Gulf war.


42 posted on 06/17/2004 9:17:04 AM PDT by stillnoprotestsagainstmuslims (I`m still waiting for the protests against terrorism.)
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To: dead

"The only problem with this idiot’s reasoning is that Bush never tried to blame Sadam for 911, and certainly never used that as a reason for invading Iraq."

This is a combination of the strawman and big lie stratagems. The fact that it is being repeated endlessly in media around the world means that it will ultimately be accepted by most people as being the truth, even though it has no basis in fact.


43 posted on 06/17/2004 9:30:46 AM PDT by Max Combined
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To: dead

Should any lingering doubts remain regarding the intelligence, ethics or agenda of the 9/11 commission, one needed only to see and hear Tom Keane on last nights edition of "Hardball". He actually had the audacity to state that we, (U.S.), needed to be more "culturally sensitive" regarding the beliefs and "religion" of those in the Middle East. I for one will never be
"sensitive" to a "religion" or culture that allows and condones and promotes, killing of innocents, beheadings, dhimmitude, subjugation of women, honor killings, forced conversions, etc. Keane went on to state that we angered the islamists in the early 1990's when we put troops on the "holy ground" of Saudi Arabia. Keane stated that all of our problems were a result of this action in the 90's. Of course, he wasn't asked and had no explaination for the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, Iran hostage situation, etc., all in the 80's and other incidents in the 70's. The lunatics are truly running the asylum.


44 posted on 06/17/2004 9:32:52 AM PDT by milford421
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To: TomGuy

What is so hard to understand about the old saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Source: (Arab)

http://www.worldofquotes.com/proverb/Arab/1/


45 posted on 06/17/2004 9:33:38 AM PDT by Max Combined
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To: Peach
Saddam was defeated in the Gulf war. We went in to eject him from Kuwait. The Saudis, and the rest of the Sunni Arabs impressed upon us to keep him in office. We agreed, and that should have been the end of the story. WE had two choices, one to kill him, or to keep him. We chose the second.

Now the big problem was, we kept the embargo & the no fly zones, which humiliated him in front of his people for more than ten years. By definition, he did not love our sanction. And, since he has billions of petrodollars at his disposal; by definition he will have to use some to 1) rebuild his military 2) Bribe other nations on the Security Council to help him take that sanction off. That is very natural, and expected.

The big problem for us, after 9/11, our leaders who were sleeping at the wheels woke up, and started to realize that the Islamic fanatic movement is a real problem! The next step is how to defend against such a problem. The logical question is what if a guy is so pissed at us, and has billions of dollars at his disposal would turn around and help these low life Moslem fanatics, just to get back at us. THAT IS IN A NUTSHELL IS THE REASON FOR NEWTRALIZING SADDAM. The Bush administration failed to explain that point, and resorted to all kinds of exaggerated half truth, and lies to make their point.

Other less expensive and more pragmatic solution could have been: OK Saddam, we know that you are pissed at us for the ten years sanction; we know that you are working hard (with the help of China, Russia, and France) to have it lifted; we know that you are a secular dude, and not a friend of the Moslem nutcases. We are hereby proposing to you an offer that you cannot refuse. 1) We will help you lift the sanction 2) We will help you rebuild your military, and your economy 3) You will pay us back by invading Saudi Arabia, and Iran the two most hateful Moslem fanatic states

The end result; cheap way of neutralizing the source of Moslem fanatics! The Iranians were more than ready to topple their government, and it is better for a Moslem dictator to mess with them then for the infidel America. Saudi Arabia is simply a rag tag dictatorship of bunch fanatics with lots of money. Neutralizing Saudi Arabia has the effect of shutting the flow of dollars to the Madrasas in Pakistan, Asia, and the Middle East.

Since we are going to be the hidden players behind the scene, we will dictate to Saddam immediately to help restore SECULAR regimes in both Saudi Arabia, and Iran. This particular dream scenario is highly imaginative, and is a good way to think outside the box. So far, the use to be secular Iraq has become a hell hole, and the real bad enemies Iran and Saudi Arabia are untouched. We are running out of money, ammunitions, and world public goodwill towards our policy. I go for thinking outside the box.

46 posted on 06/17/2004 9:34:45 AM PDT by philosofy123
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To: dead
If President Bush will counter this 9/11 report, I predict a landslide by President Bush in November. We know in advance that the 9/11 commission was crap to start with. PRESIDENT BUSH - GET BUSY AND FIGHT. WORK WITH THE AVAILABLE MEDIA AND LET'S GET THE LIBERALS ON THE RAILING. THE PUBLIC WILL PUSH THEM OVERBOARD. They, the insane liberals with jacka$$ Kennedy at the helm will sink. Truth will prevail because we do have enough time before the election.

Those States that harbor the new terriost, ie Kennedy etc, should start recall pertitions. Get them off balance and on the defense.
47 posted on 06/17/2004 9:52:00 AM PDT by Logical me (Oh, well!!!!)
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To: Max Combined

My e-mail sent to the SMH. Not that it will see the light
of day in print.


Mr McGeough,

Please specifically state the date and event that President Bush said that Iraq was responsible for 9/11. Certainly you must have some inside super secret information that no one else has. Of course you don't because it never happened, but then the truth never got in the way of the liberal media. Sir, we have enough leftist lap dogs from the media in the USA, we don't need any more from Australia


48 posted on 06/17/2004 9:52:58 AM PDT by DAC21
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To: dead
attempt to blame Hussein for 911 has been devasted!)

So the attempt is no longer vast. Is it really half vast? or is it just locally narrow?

49 posted on 06/17/2004 9:59:44 AM PDT by ThanhPhero (Ong la nguoi di hanh huong den La Vang)
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To: dead
Are all foreign journalists so effing dumb?

The operative word here is "journalists."

50 posted on 06/17/2004 10:04:42 AM PDT by Woahhs (the choice is not between peace and war, only between fight and surrender.)
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To: dead

The problem is Bush never linked Iraq to 9/11. Iraq was included in the Axis of Evil (since proved true) and it was said Iraq had connections to Al-Qaeda (also true)


51 posted on 06/17/2004 10:06:49 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
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To: Peach

bump


52 posted on 06/17/2004 10:10:40 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: abc1
Just as in WW II, we are pretty on our own in this war with Great Britain. Every other country has either capitulated, joined the Axis or are just too weak to meet the challenge. We have to suck it up and accept that, then deal with the problem, regardless of PR niceties.

Actually, you're quite mistaken.

We have MORE allies in this war than we had in World War II.

53 posted on 06/17/2004 10:17:24 AM PDT by George Smiley (It amazes me how easily John Kerry can straddle both sides of the fence for any given issue.)
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To: Peach
Links? I can't see any links.


54 posted on 06/17/2004 11:10:35 AM PDT by lowbridge ("You are an American. You are my brother. I would die for you." -Kurdish Sergeant)
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To: dead
Are all foreign journalists so effing dumb?

Well, they say that journalists and newspaper editors are "leaders" in their communities, so maybe this guy is one of the Foreign Leaders For John Kerry.

55 posted on 06/17/2004 11:26:08 AM PDT by Mr. Silverback (Pre-empt the third murder attempt: Pray for Terri Schindler-Schiavo!)
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To: DannyTN

...And don't forget the FACT that he harbored that murderous, coward, scum:

Abul Abbas, the head of a Palestinian splinter group who masterminded the 1985 hijacking of the Italian passenger ship the Achille Lauro in which an American tourist, elderly wheelchair-bound Jewish American tourist, Leon Klinghoffer, was thrown overboard and killed.

I guess the fact that he was a Palestinian "ex"-terrorist retired in Iraq means NOTHING! (after all he APOLOGIZED in 1996)

Saddam must have been operating a retirement home for ex-terrorists or a rehabilitation center (dripping sarcasm).


56 posted on 06/17/2004 11:44:08 AM PDT by datakcy (I Pledge Allegiance - is that TOO MUCH to ask? If so, then go back to your tents & mud huts NOW!!!)
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To: Peach
WOW.....Great resource of facts to counter the brain dead libs. Bookmarking for future reference.

MKM

57 posted on 06/17/2004 12:05:25 PM PDT by mykdsmom (The first time that Bill and Hillary had slept together in years was at the Reagan funeral (N Boortz)
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To: dead

And since when is the '10 plane plan' new news? We heard about this last year.

Hussien had extensive contacts with Al Qaeda and its member organizations. For the media to come out today and state that Iraq had NO CONTACT with AQ is not only a diservice to the country, but quite possibly the basis for a nationwide class-action lawsuit.

To willfully and knowingly misinform the public makes a mockery of the freedom of the press this nation has. The media whores just yelled 'fire' in a crowded theater. Lets make them pay.


58 posted on 06/17/2004 1:26:46 PM PDT by ex 98C MI Dude (Proud Member of the Reagan Republicans)
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To: All

9/11 Chair Hamilton Slams Media Distortions
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1155847/posts?page=1

9/11 Commission Headline Lies
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1155603/posts

Amnesia - New York Times 1998: Bin Laden and Iraq Made a Deal; 2004: No Al Qaeda Iraq Connection
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1155977/posts?page=1

Bush: 'Numerous Contacts' Between Iraq, Al-Qaida
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1155950/posts

Putin warned Bush of Iraq terror plot against U.S.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1155802/posts

Rush Says 9/11 Commission Member DID Find Iraq/AQ Connections
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1155250/posts

Freep This AOL Poll !(If the election were held today, who would you vote for?)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1153639/posts


59 posted on 06/18/2004 10:11:32 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Unlike some people, I have a profile. Okay, maybe it's a little large...)
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