Osama's Lost Control of Qaeda - Bin Laden Said Unble to Run Operations

cnn.netscape.cnn.com ^ | No. 19, 2004 | ROBERT BURNS

[crushelits]

Bin Laden Said Unble to Run Operations
WASHINGTON (AP) - Pakistan's military has been so effective in pressuring al-Qaida leaders hiding in the tribal region of western Pakistan that Osama bin Laden and his top deputies no longer are able to direct terrorist operations, a senior American commander said Thursday.

``They are living in the remotest areas of the world without any communications - other than courier - with the outside world or their people and unable to orchestrate or provide command and control over a terrorist network,'' said Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy commander of Central Command.

``They are basically on the run and unable to really conduct operations except, in the very long term, provide vision and guidance as Osama bin Laden does when he provides one of those tapes,'' he added, alluding to a bin Laden video tape released three weeks ago.

Bin Laden has been on the run since U.S. forces invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. continues

[anymouse]

OBL, you can run but you'll only die tired.

[Finalapproach29er]

We catch him by Christmas.

[diamond6]

And you say that because...

[nosofar]

It's better that Bin Laden become irrelevant than become dead. That can always come later.

[Misterioso]

This is probably why we have not experienced another terror attack. Of course, Democrats have claimed that the threat was overblown so that Bush would win re-election.

[Finalapproach29er]

We,along with Pakistan seem to be becoming more effective.This leads me to believe we are employing a real strategy.

If OBL is cut off to this degree, perhaps we'll move in for the kill within weeks.

[diamond6]

Sounds good to me and hope they get Zarqawi at the same time!

Here's hoping.

[Gator113]

Well, I sure hope a message got to him that Bush won!!!!!!

[CBart95]

Take some time to read about and understand that the world terrorist movement is comprised of autonomous cells. The "organization" is not hierarchical...that is it is'nt setup like a corporation. There is no "president". OBL is a mover and a shaker, but capturing him is a fools errand and will have little or no effect on the movement.

[HardStarboard]

I wonder what the picture of Richard Armitage is doing with the caption "Central Command". He has just resigned as Asst. Sec'ty of State.

Personally I'll miss the Armitage. He is straight spoken and tough - traits too often not present in State Dept weenies.

While I admire and like Condi, I think Bush missed a bet in promoting Armitage to SOS - he would have done a great job and been far less controversial.

[xzins]

ping to picture alongside article...notice haircuts

:>)

[The Mayor]

[reagandemo]

Pure B.S. Osama mentioned a bunch of current things on the tape which means that he has good contact with the world. These guys need to shut up and pop a cap on Osama. I will not believe anything until I see his sorry dead carcass on the tv.

[luvie]

M.O.A.B.!!!!

[livius]

I just read in the Spanish press that a "major" terrorist was nabbed in Pakistan today. They didn't say who it was, unfortunately, but I'm sure we all have candidates.

[Huck]

Sounds good to me and hope they get Zarqawi at the same time!

Yeah, wouldn't it be nice if one day we captured just ONE top dog terrorist? Saddam was chump change far as I'm concerned. OBL and Zarqawi have more US blood on their hands than Saddam.

[reagandemo]

I like your approach!

[Indie]

I think they have not attacked a second time is because they know what will happen to the islamic population in the US if something does happen agian. And I think they know also that there would not be enough "authorities" to stop it.

[537cant be wrong]

you are correct.

i for one would have blood on my hands.
i trust none of the mooslims in our country.