Posted on 06/27/2005 7:49:04 AM PDT by dead
WASHINGTON - The US military is close to locating al-Qaeda's frontman in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, General John Abizaid, the commander of US forces in the region, said.
"I think we have a good idea of where to find him," Abizaid told CNN.
"We know what we're doing in our efforts how to get him," he said.
"But I want to also stress that it's not about one man. It's about his network. His network exists inside Iraq. It's connected to al-Qaeda. It's got facilitation nodes in Syria," Abizaid told the US cable news channel.
"It brings foreign fighters in from Saudi Arabia and from North Africa. It is connected to what is happening in Afghanistan and what is happening in Pakistan. It is a global battle that we face," he said.
"The Zarqawi part of the network needs to be taken down. He needs to be captured or killed. But we should understand: It's a long war ahead of us. It's a difficult enemy that we'll have to fight over time throughout the region," the general said.
Jordanian-born Zarqawi, who has a 25-million-dollar US bounty on his head, is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Iraq and is the country's most-wanted man.
Zarqawi warned militants against contacts with the "enemies of God" and dismissed as lies revelations that US officials had been in contact with insurgents in Iraq.
"We are warning anyone who meets the Jewish, the Crusaders and their agents," according to an Internet statement attributed to Zarqawi's al-Qaeda organisation in the Land of Two Rivers.
Abizaid spoke after US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld earlier confirmed a British newspaper report that US officials had contacted insurgents in a bid to stem the violence plaguing Iraq.
"Sure, my goodness, yeah. The first thing you want to do is split people off and get some people to be supportive. The same thing's going on in Afghanistan," Rumsfeld said.
AFP
"But I want to also stress that it's not about one man. It's about his network. His network exists inside Iraq. It's connected to al-Qaeda. It's got facilitation nodes in Syria," Abizaid told the US cable news channel.
"It brings foreign fighters in from Saudi Arabia and from North Africa
that makes him part of the administration LOL
that means the thousands of PV2s, PFCs and Spec 4s in Iraq are "part of the administration". That is a Hella Big administration LOL
___Yes, he is directly in the chain of command from the President to the Secretary of Defense....if he speaks, it is clearly with the approval of Bush and Rumsfeld....unlike the grunts
you mentioned.
LOL
riiiiigghhhhtttt
I am sure Bush and Rummy beam what they want Abizaid to say down to him every day via the super secret squirrel micro chips they implanted into Abizaid the day he pinned on his 4th star...LOL
"When we do catch up with him , they ought to need to
have to use scoop shovels and garbage bags to collect him up.
Then feed that to the neighborhood dogs....seriously"
What have you got against the neighborhood dogs?
Bush and Rummy beam what they want Abizaid to say down to him every day
___You're being childishly sarcastic, but, yes, I believe he
clkears his public statements with his superiors.
CIVILIZATION BUMP
How can a group of foreigners move around from town to town within Iraq with weapons caches and fight from homes and from mosques freely and unabated?
Answer: With sympathizers
Pull your head out of the sand.
Here's your original comment. It is categorically false!
Absurd.
Ridiculous.
Nonsensical.
Far removed from reality.
False.
No offence to anyone, but I find this ridiculous.
FACT: Many insurgents have been protected by Iraqi families.
Get over it and move on, coop
Just not true. Mike and Coop are right.
Of course, I have that "skewed vision" thing. ;-)
I don't think the General is too stupid.
First, Micky, if you're going to address me personally, it would be nice if you'd actually ping me.
Second, do the math, Einstein. If the average Iraqi citizen (out of approx. 27 million Iraqis) welcomed and supported terrorists/insurgents, our troops and contractors (about 150K) would be overwhelmed in short order. The armed Iraqi military and police forces would turn on us, and the rather well-armed Iraqi citizens would be fighting our troops daily and not providing intelligence, translation services, escort duties, etc. 8 million people would not have risked their lives to vote.
You're simply too ignorant of this subject to waste further time on.
I think Coop blew you up sufficiently that I don't need to go any further.
Good day.
I'm not debating the war plan, but to ignore that Iraqi citizens have hosted Saudis, Moroccans, Iranians, and Jordanians in mosques and private residences to launch attacks on coalition forces is __________ (fill in the blank.)
Good day to you
Incidentally, despite the rather condescending statements you made to me, I have the utmost respect and support for you, if indeed, you're in Iraq.
Incidentally, despite the rather condescending statements you made to me, I have the utmost respect and support for you, if indeed, you're in Iraq.
they obviously didnt teach this guy
"loose lips sink ships" back in basic
bump
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