[detch]

Many ships went from the Red Sea to the North Arabian Sea (or Persian Gulf) without refueling in Aden

Aden was long determined to be a terrorist haven. A missile had been fired on an F-14 from there some years earlier. The Navy did not want to refuel there, but Gen Zinni (CENTCOM) wanted to bolster his influence in the region, and that command was persistent in requesting refueling stops there, against the recommendations of PACIFIC FLEET and ATLANTIC FLEET Admirals responsible for the ships transiting through their Areas of Responsibility to the CENTCOM area.

Zinni wanted it, Richard Clarke approved it, the President allowed it to happen. These requests and approvals go all the way to the top of our government.

[brazzaville]

Good afternoon.

I guess we can suppose that the clique of retired Generals and admirals who are opposed to Rummy, and who were so often at CENTCOM at this time, were also in favor of sending the Cole in to Aden.

Michael Frazier