All we need is 2 numbers.
Posted on 11/23/2005 9:24:32 AM PST by Anti-Bubba182
DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda in Iraq said reports that U.S. forces had killed its leader Abu Musab Al Zarqawi were a lie, according to an Internet statement posted on Wednesday.
The group was reacting to remarks by a U.S. official who said on Sunday that U.S. authorities were looking into whether Zarqawi had been killed during fighting in northern Iraq. A White House spokesman later said Zarqawi's death was "highly unlikely."
"The media has lately circulated this news that was announced by the Crusaders (U.S. military) about the death of the leader of the group in an armed confrontation ... which was an additional lie," the statement said.
The authenticity of the statement could not be verified, but it was signed by the group's spokesman and posted on a Web site generally used by insurgents.
A U.S. counterterrorism official said the statement lent further credence to previously stated U.S. beliefs that Zarqawi was still alive.
"Zarqawi has shown a tendency to respond publicly to rumors. So the fact that this was done does not come as a surprise," the official said in Washington.
"We had expected that if in fact he was still alive, he or his organization would make a public utterance to that effect," he added.
Eight insurgents, including a woman, were killed on Saturday in clashes between joint U.S.-Iraqi forces and gunmen occupying a house in the northern city of Mosul, Iraqi police said. Four more insurgents were arrested.
Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Monday Baghdad had no confirmation but was checking reports Zarqawi may have been killed during the fighting.
Zarqawi, who has a $25 million reward on his head, is blamed for a relentless series of attacks, suicide bombings and beheadings in Iraq.
Al-Queda is in Iraq?!
Took 'em a couple of days. The Z-man must have gone to ground after the strike.
If you are really alive Braveheart show your face to the infidels and proove once and for all oh great one how you continue to laugh at their impotence.
No surprise there. Let the DNA speak.
Ah, yes. "Sheik Zarqawi is alive and well but he can't come to the phone just now."
"Iraq Qaeda denies Zarqawi killed"
For the first time Im starting to think this MAY be true.
They were a little slow on the draw on this one.
"Zarqawi, who has a $25 million reward on his head"
When they get him this should be divided amongst every American and Iraqi soldier involved in the fight.
This would be a lot easier is AQ would just tell who we did kill.
Well, they never would have considered going to Iraq until our invading hordes showed up. It's all our fault. /sarcasm off
"Ok, who do we know who really looks like him? We could use a scarf to partially cover his face? We could put a ski mask on someone and have them execute an infidel goat, or whatever. Nah, just say that everythings cool, he's just busy right now. We just need a little time to sort things out. Tariq, how's that martyr statement coming...."
Why doesn't Zarqawi himself come out on video to prove to everyone that he is still alive? ;)
All we need is 2 numbers.
We don't believe you. Bring him out in public so that our snipers - ah, I mean, personnel can positievely ID him.
Notice that nothing in this article says that the Shiek Zarqawi is still alive .... it only says that he was not killed in an armed confrontation with U.S. forces. Soooooo .... I'll wait for the DNA.
I won't believe it until they release a videotape of him shaking hands with Jimmy Carter.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/Iraq/2005/11/23/1319709-ap.html
Well, thats not very convincing.
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