Posted on 11/02/2004 11:42:03 AM PST by christie
Egyptian Islamic Group. The memo explained that "our system met with Sheikh Ali Othman Taha the vice chairman of the National Islamic Front in Sudan." Among other things, "we agreed with him on the…Reopening of the relationship with 'Al-Jehad Al-Islamy.' This appears to be the Egyptian Islamic Group, "currently led by Dr. Omar Abdel Rahman," the record continues. "[T]he organization is considered as the most violent in Egypt, they assassinated 'Anwar Al-Sadat,'" among other crimes.
Egyptian imam Omar Abdel Rahman, better known as the Blind Sheik, inspired the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center attack and a 1994 conspiracy to bomb New York City landmarks, for which he was arrested and convicted. According to The 9/11 Commission Report, Rahman was spiritual leader to both the Egyptian Islamic Group and Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Ayman al-Zawahiri, a former leader of EIJ, later merged it with al-Qaeda.
"Iraq's contact with the Egyptian Islamic Group is another operational contact between Iraq and al-Qaeda," Tefft explained to CNS.
Bingo!
I'm thinking at lot of this was classified until recently.
As always I could be wrong.
Is there some sort of election going on today? :-)
Good research and links.
bump
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