Captured Al-Qaeda kingpin is case of ‘mistaken identity’

The Sunday Times (online) ^ | May 08, 2005 | Christina Lamb and Mohammad Shehzad Islamabad

[Gondring]

Perhaps it was the fact that USF and I had both figured this out days before much of the rest of the world...? Ever condider that? Why does posting a story mean a person has to agree with it? Why would hiding a goof be a good thing to do? If it's a real error, let's own up and move on, not cover it up in a--again--Clintonesque fashion.

This is a nice victory...we got someone who is a slimeball and might also have information... but the fact is, it shows how difficult this WoT is... and how easily the governments and media mix things up.

[Calpernia]

My God Man. He is an AQ operative! He is captured. What is the difference if he was qualified to receive a Xmas bonus?

[Gondring]

My God Man. He is an AQ operative! He is captured. What is the difference if he was qualified to receive a Xmas bonus?

Because it goes to our credibility, the progress or lack thereof, and the competence of those conducting the WoT. I think President Bush maintained credibility, in my eyes, by not whooping this up as much as others...it was a victory, but he didn't overplay it, IMHO.

[expatguy]

Meanwhile we are letting the big fish get off easy and in many cases even helping them to get off.

Here are the real details regarding the Abu Bakar trial and how it got screwed up.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[Loud Mime]

The way things are going, soon ANY person will be a higher up in the terrorist movement.

[Gondring]

Here are the real details regarding the Abu Bakar trial and how it got screwed up

Ah yes...involving Fred Burks, not to be confused with our very own Fred Nerks!

[jimbo123]

“Al-Libbi is just a ‘middle-level’ leader,” said Jean-Charles Brisard, a French intelligence investigator..."

[Calpernia]

Pep rallies are needed to rally the masses. I don't see this as a egg in face. What one tribe thinks of the others ranking is pure politics.

[jimbo123]

Are you French?

[woofie]

LOL ...I had to read your post a few times,

somehow in the long run using suicide as a weapon doesnt seem like a great military stategy

[Gondring]

What one tribe thinks of the others ranking is pure politics.

Well, next time, why don't we put the person on our most wanted list if we want the political gain.

Or just admit that we screwed up and got a lesser fish than was claimed, but a fish nonetheless.

[expatguy]

Was Burks ever even mentioned in the US media?

[jimbo123]

Mohammad Shehzad Islamabad of the Times quotes a French "intelligence expert" and says it's a debacle. Funny how so many on this thread rush to savor the sour grapes spewed by the Muzzie and the Frog in this article.

[Gondring]

Norman descent is about as close to French as I can find (and that line traveled across the channel in A.D. 1066).

Which is probably why I got kicked out of French class for making a poster of History of the French Flag that included the white flag and the German flag at various times. :-)

" . . . you know frankly, going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind." --Jed Babbin

[arasina]

I remember clearly at the outset of the W.O.T. that President Bush statedthat from time to time there would be deliberately misleading information regarding the status of captured enemies, type and location of operations, and many other things.

Exactly. Otherwise, this is a goofup of 16-words-in-the-2003-SOTU-Address proportions. And the media is, of course, always at the ready to assist in publicizing supposed Intelligence errors.

[jimbo123]

If Mohammad Shehzad Islamabad of the Times says it's a goofup, then I sure as heck trust it's a goofup.

[Radix]

"This subject did have a notebook on him which he was reportedly trying desperately to destroy when he was taken into custody."

I posted to you earlier, but I was looking for the article again, and the link is not working.

Did the article mention a notebook, or do you have another link for the story which includes that aspect?

[FreeReign]

One American official tried to explain the absence of al-Libbi’s name on the wanted list by saying: “We did not want him to know he was wanted.”

Oh, a quote from an unnamed source. And it's the punch line of the entire article.

I'll be sure to give it the appropriate consideration.

[Americanexpat]

I personally don't care, they captured this nut and have been arresting more just like him since then. If I had to believe the Pakistanis who are dealing with these guys everyday and a Frenchman, I'll go with the Pakis.

[Calpernia]

>>>> Well, next time, why don't we put the person on our most wanted list if we want the political gain.

Cause WE might not want THEM to know what WE know? ie surveilance?

>>> Or just admit that we screwed up and got a lesser fish than was claimed, but a fish nonetheless.

An AQ Operative was captured. That is not being disputed. His rank is. Most likely from tribal infighting of who now is in charge. A fish is a fish. I say lets have fish and chips!

You bring the vinegar. I'll bring the kraut.