Posted on 12/22/2004 4:28:59 PM PST by AdmSmith
PESHAWAR: A New York Times story quoting CIA officials as saying they are looking for Osama Bin Laden in Chitral has prompted an American teacher to appeal to Chitralis to help find the Al Qaeda leader. “I humbly ask, please help us. Please help the Americans, if you can. Please help us rid the world of this Osama if you can. He may be hiding in your land and planning to attack America again. That is what the CIA thinks,” Cathy Henry said in an email posted on. “This is bad for us, and it could be bad for you, too. So please help us. We are powerful, but not all-powerful, and there is nothing like a friend when you need help. Everyone needs friends, even Americans,” she wrote. Her email drew an angry response from Islamabad-based Fawad Ali Shah. staff report
Here is the original article http://www.chitralnews.com/
check for "Osama in Chitral?"
Osama in Chitral ? -Letter
Dear Sir,
I read your denial that the CIA is looking for Bin Laden in the Chitral District. The CIA told the New York Times that there are small CIA bases in Pakistan but that the Pakistanis won't let the CIA go looking for Bin Laden.
I am pretty sure the CIA is out looking for Bin Laden if they think he is around Chitral. I hope the Pakistanis are looking, too.
I wonder if the story you wrote about the "heavily armed shepherds from Afghanistan" kidnapping a Pakistani shepherd might actually be people hunting Bin Laden and other terrorists. I am not convinced that this kidnapping was a family dispute. I think it may have been the capture of a terrorist. How often do shepherds kidnap each other?
This is just my opinion, but if the Americans think Bin Laden is up there,we will be up there to catch him. Of course, we don't want to embarrass your president or make the local people in the Chitral District angry, but we need to get Bin Laden. I certainly hope that Pakistani officials or private people are not hiding Bin Laden. Some people think he is hiding with a family or even with women.
I am very appreciative of Pakistan's support for the War on Terror. I have read that many Pakistanis have died trying to catch Al Qaeda terrorists.
It was interesting to read about Chitral. Chitral reminded me of Alaska. I saw the pictures you posted on the internet. The people are certainly very attractive.I hope you will keep us posted if they do find Bin Laden in Chitral.
I am a teacher, and I told my students about your town. I wrote the name on the board and told them to keep searching Google for information about Chitral. Some of my students are reading about your town. I told them about the Hindu Kush and explained the geography up there. If they catch Bin Laden there, your town will be really famous. I think it would help the tourism. If people in Chitral have a hand in his capture, you would be heroes to us forever. Young people who enjoy the outdoor life would want to visit your area and explore. Maybe the Americans would build you every road you ever dreamed of.
I live near the Pentagon. My students and I heard the airplane that hit the Pentagon go by our school. The plane didn't sound right and we were already watching the World Trade Center burning on TV. The kids said, "Are they going to bomb us, too?" A few minutes later, the Pentagon was on fire. Everyone was very scared and many were crying because their parents work there. Then we heard the jets that went up to shoot down the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. It was a terrible day. We won't be able to rest until Osama Bin Laden is captured.
Cathy Henry
Fascinating exchange of letters between the teacher and some America bashers.
Yes. There are a series of four letters back and forth at
http://www.chitralnews.com It is an interesting little paper.
I gotta love this woman, what heart, what intelect, what a waste of time asking these people to help us ..... just kidin on the last part. I think shes got mox and think if there were more like her this world would be the better for it. I think I'll email Mr. Ali Shah from Islamabad.
Another guy has just written so now there are five letters called "Osama in Chitral?"
The letters are being published and the people who write in may look like big jerks to the locals in Chitral.
People there may be worried about survival issues. Notice the people writing in are from Islamabad and London. They aren't writing to the paper--but they do seem to be writing to the American. Perhaps they are afraid.
I think people in these countries can read between the lines.
Here is the official government position in the Chitral news. Still, the information is there.
http://www.chitralnews.com/Latest%20New485.htm
DEC 15, 2004
National / world press mis-reporting Chitral
CHITRAL,15 Dec 04: Mis-reporting of news and events concerning Chitral by the national / world press has been resented and disdainfully scoffed at, by the residents of the area.
Besides the many instances earlier, recently a national newspaper reported the assumed presence of Osama Bin Laden in Chitral and the associated (also assumed) operation by CIA here, which unnecessarily tickled the international media on the subject. News Papers as distant as 'Taipei Times' reported it (read it). Foreign Affairs ministry spokesman had to clarify the matter in a special press briefing.
Any body in his right state of mind, would agree that surviving in this weather in Chitral is difficult for the locals themselves. How can a sick man like Bin Laden (if at all he exists) choose this rough place as an abode and that too without any body taking notice of him? (Chitral for one is a place where the locals surround with curiosity even a shaggy punjabi tourist calling him 'Mainu' (guest) and try not to leave him alone for a moment)
The local residents have taken strong exception to the regular practice of associating Chitral with un-necessary mysterious and frivolous news, just to divert the attention of world media from the real issues.
Chitralis while speaking to our correspondent said ''we have a responsible local press and instead of indulging in unnecessary speculations, authentic news / information about Chitral can easily be obtained from Chitral News without any problem''.
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