SADDAM'S FINGERPRINTS ON 1993 N.Y. BOMBINGS - Nuke Em'

The Wall Street Journal | June 28, 1993 | By Laurie Mylroie

[Uncle Bill]

Saddam's Fingerprints on N.Y. Bombings

The Wall Street Journal
By Laurie Mylroie
June 28, 1993

Military retaliation from Baghdad was the main administration concern following Saturday's strike on Iraq. Yet U.S. officials should start thinking seriously about the question of retaliation through terror. It is quite possible, for example, that there was a connection between Saddam and recent attempts to blow up Manhattan. It is quite possible that New York's terror is Saddam's revenge.

Speculation about the responsibility for last week's bombing plot and the earlier World Trade Center bombing has focused on Iran, Sudan, and the fundamentalist Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman. Much energy has been spent linking the terror to Islamic fundamentalism. Yet Saddam, a secular tyrant, is also suspect.

Information already in the public domain allows us to make this case. Start with the fact that the most important person in the Trade Center bombing is an Iraqi, Ramzi Ahmad Yusuf. Known in New York as Rashid, Mr. Yusuf has 11 aliases. The U.S. press has reported that he left Iraq in early 1992, transiting Jordan to Pakistan. He entered New York in early September on Pakistan Airways. Mr. Yusuf, traveling on his Iraqi passport, passed through immigration by requesting asylum. The FBI claims the plot began in August, while Mr. Yusuf was abroad.

Ordering Chemicals

Mr. Yusuf soon became the roomate of Mohammed Salameh, the naive Palestinian who repeatedly returned to the van rental agency for his deposit. Passionate, but not bright, Mr. Salameh would appear a ready dupe to an intelligence operative. In trial documents, an Iraqi-American, Musaab Yassin, has stated that he had known Mr. Salameh two years. Mr. Yassin moved into Mr. Salameh's apartment in September 1992, and Mr. Salameh moved out. Mr. Yassin's younger brother, Abboud, lived with him. An Arab who knows Musaab Yassin, like Mr. Yusuf, came to the U.S. in the fall of 1992, seeking medical treatment.

In late November, Mr. Yusuf allegedly ordered chemicals for the bomb and Mr. Salameh rented a locker to store them. The plot was underway. In early February, Mr. Salameh notified his landlord that he and Mr. Yusuf would leave at month's end. On Feb. 26 the World Trade Center was bombed. Messrs. Salameh and Yusuf vacated their apartment two days later.

Mr. Salameh was arrested March 4. Musaab Yassin returned home that day to find the FBI searching his apartment, while Abboud had been taken for questioning. Abboud Yassin told the FBI that he taught Mr. Salameh to drive the van that carried the bomb, that he accompanied Mr. Salameh to an apartment later identified as the bomb's testing ground; and Abboud Yassin's information helped lead the FBI to the locker where the chemicals had been stored. The U.S. press reports that Abboud Yassin then returned to Iraq, as did Mr. Yusuf. The New York Times reported that Arabs who knew Mr. Salameh and the second Palestinian arrested, Nidal Ayyad, said that the two had "close ties with two Iraqis, one of whom they say was named Rashid, but both of whom have since disappeared."

This information, although sketchy, indicates Iraqi activity. If Mr. Yusuf, the key figure, had worked for Iran, Tehran would not have let him return to Iraq. Given the totalitarian nature of the Iraqi regime, even Abboud Yassin's return to Iraq is significant. An innocent man would, arguably, have chosen to stay in the U.S.- he would have a better chance of a fair hearing in a U.S. court than before an Iraqi intelligence officer. If Abboud Yassin was involved in the bombing- but was not acting under Baghdad's instruction- then it was even more imprudent for him to return to Iraq. Mr. Yusuf and Abboud Yassin could have gone to Afghanistan, where they would not have exposed themselves to the potentially fatal suspicions of Baghdad's intelligence agencies.

That two men involved came from Iraq and returned there is reason enough to consider an Iraqi role in the World Trade Center bombing. What other possible evidence is there? It has been reported that the bombing suspects received money from abroad: up to $100,000 from Germany, Iran, and "another Middle Eastern Country." That country is probably Jordan, shielded by U.S. authorities who continue protecting Amman for the sake of the "peace process." Without knowing how much money came from each country, though, it is hard to exclude Iraq. Last but not least, it is worth noting that the February bombing occurred on the second anniversary of Kuwait's liberation.

What about last week's arrests? The FBI arrested five Sudanese and three others as it broke up a second bombing plot. The conspirators' first target was the United Nations' headquarters. Other targets were added, including FBI headquarters in New York. Additionally, four assassinations were planned, including that of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and U.N. secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Like the Trade Center bombing, much of this operation was amateurish. The conspiracy instigator, Siddiq Ibrahim Ali, had a plan to get a car into the FBI building, but it was amateurish (he proposed shooting the guards). Professional terrorists divide their organizations into small cells, each devoted to specific tasks. These planners used a large group in which every participant was known to the others, so that the entire plot could quickly unravel once one member was caught. Yet, like the World Trade Center bombing, this was audacious. Had it suceeded, thousands could have died.

It's important to note that both the Trade Center bombing and the later plot represent something new- at least in the West. Saddam however commits that kind of carnage on a daily basis.

Two of the nations thought to be behind the second plot are not ideal suspects. Khartoum is suspected, because Sudanese played a big role in the plot. With Iran, Sudanese has been involved in a violent campaign to overthrow secular governments in North Africa, including Mr. Boutros-Ghali's own government in Cairo. But Khartoum has not sponsored terrorism against U.S. targets. That it should suddenly support potentially the most devastating anti-American attack ever makes little sense. A separate question though is whether Sudanese diplomats could be bought. This is possible, since Khartoum is broke, and months behind in paying its diplomats.

Iranian sponsorship of the plot is also unlikely. Iran has no big quarrel with the U.N.- it benefits from the U.N.'s disarmament of Iraq. The U.N. is not the obvious target for Muslim extremists. Their quarrel is with the U.S. They could have easily chosen an American target. Explaining why fundamentalists would bomb the U.N. is possible, but the explanation is strained- that they see the U.N. as a U.S. surrogate; that their violence is caused by anger at many issues involving the U.N., including Bosnia, Somalia and the Palestinians. The Trade Center suspects issued a set of demands that the U.S. stop aiding Israel and stop interfering in the internal affairs of Middle Eastern countries.

Saddam by contrast has every reason to attack the U.N. Saddam also hates Egypt's Mubarak and wants him dead, no less than he wanted George Bush dead. Baghdad Radio threatened Mr. Bush personally during the Gulf War and Mubarak as well, "Does he (Mubarak) think that the crime he committed against the people of Iraq will go unpunished?...Prepare yourself for it and shiver at the thought."

More To Come

Attention has focused on the Iranian-Sudanese relationship. But Baghdad could as easily recruit Sudanese as Tehran.

For Saddam, Iraqi sponsorship would be vengeance with a twist. Baghdad wants Washington to blame Iran for the terror striking America's shores. If it doesn't and fundamentalists are caught, that too is fine, because it promotes a hysteria about Islamic fundamentalism and Iran which, Saddam calculates, would eventually benefit Iraq. If Saddam is behind the attacks, more will surely follow.

The focus of the New York investigations should shift to the question of state sponsorship. If considerable evidence points to Saddam, then President Clinton must fulfill his Saturday pledge: "We will combat terrorism. We will deter aggression. We will protect our people."
[End of Transcript]

NOTE: The FBI and the Mad Bombers

Ramzi Yusef, architect of first World Trade Center bombing, carried plans for airliner suicide crashes

Saddam Hussein's Iraq & Osama Bin Laden linked to USS Cole bomb attack

London Report: Bin Laden May Hit NYSE - OCTOBER 5, 1999

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CHINA REALLY?

..

• U.S. focuses on Bin Laden links with Hizbullah, Arafat's Fatah
  
• Is U.S. hiding Arafat murders? - Ex-NSA op blows whistle in ’73 killings of American diplomats in Sudan embassy
  Taliban-China deal puzzles diplomats

  China aligns with Taleban! immediately after BOMBING!

  In China, Anti-U.S. Sentiment Unfettered

  China's Ties with 'Rogue States' Under Spotlight

  Sympathy expressed, but Bush chided over Middle East (China)

  Mainland to feel the heat over 'rogue' arms deals (China)

  China Steps Up Security at US Embassy; Ordinary Citizens Say We Brought Attack On Ourselves

  Oh No! Barbara Boxer heads terrorism subcommittee!

  Bill Clinton To Visit Taiwan This Week -- Will Meet President Chen, Attend Globalization Conference

  China Strengthens Ties With Taleban by Signing Economic Deal - September 13, 2001
  "In a sign of Beijing's increasingly close ties with the Taleban regime in Afghanistan, China has signed a memorandum of understanding for economic and technical cooperation with Kabul, press reports from Afghanistan and Pakistan said.

  The agreement was reported Tuesday, the same day terrorists hijacked four planes in the United States and drove them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A Chinese delegation signed the deal in Kabul with the Taleban's minister of mining, Mullah Mohammed Ishaq, the news reports said.

  China's agreement with the Taleban is the most substantial part of a series of contacts that Beijing has had with Afghanistan over the last two years. Of all non-Muslim countries, Beijing now has the best relationship with the isolated regime in Kabul in the world, a senior Western diplomat said."

  China has developed increasingly close ties with the Taliban and, according to news reports, recently signed a memorandum of understanding for more economic and technical cooperation. The memorandum is the most substantial part of a series of Chinese contacts with Afghanistan over the last two years. China now has the closest relationship with the isolated Kabul regime of any non-Muslim country, a senior Western diplomat said.

  China nears spot on WTO

  ..

  China and Russia reacted angrily to the U.S.-British attack on Iraq

  Clinton quietly used OPEC oil diplomacy to supply Russia increased energy profits. The influx of cash into Moscow was mainly obtained through Iraqi oil sold by the U.N. and distributed through Russian suppliers. The cash paid for the Russian war and a new round of rampant corruption, centered on the former Soviet GAZPROM state oil company. The oil sales helped Saddam Hussein re-arm his military with a brand new Chinese-built air defense system

  Exactly who does Bill Clinton Work for?

  U.S. Tried to Halt Several Searches
  "The Clinton administration has intervened repeatedly since last fall to delay or prevent intrusive weapons inspections in Iraq by United Nations teams, according to American and diplomatic accounts.

  The interventions included at least six occasions, beginning in November 1997, in which Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright or other top administration officials sought -- with success in each case but one -- to persuade chief U.N. inspector Richard Butler to rescind orders for surprise searches for weapons of mass destruction or to remove a controversial inspector from Iraq. In March, according to sources, the United States and the United Kingdom put an end to the U.N. Special Commission's most successful new inspection technique by withdrawing one critical form of intelligence support -- including information, equipment and personnel -- they had provided to the U.N. inspectors until then."

  Saddam's Best Friend - How the C.I.A. made it a lot easier for the Iraqi leader to rearm

  Whatever Happened to Iraqgate? Was it swept under the rug because of the CIA - - or Hillary?

• DOWNSIDE LEGACY AT TWO DEGREES OF PRESIDENT CLINTON

• AFGHANISTAN, SUDAN and OSAMA BIN LADEN

• FOREIGN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

• CDFI and BCCI
  "Also involved in the takeover were Clark Clifford (the former Defense Secretary under Johnson and lawyer for BCCI), Robert Altman (attorney for Bert Lance and Clifford's partner), and Kamal Adham (the former head of Saudi Arabian intelligence who was King Faisal's most trusted advisor, and whose half-sister Iffat was King Faisal's favorite wife).

  From the American Spectator James Ring Adams 10/92 "Mike McAlary, the New York Post's specialist on organized crime, scored a genuine scoop last February: "Clinton and BCCI candidate's money man linked to scandal bank," the headline ran. It involved large-scale Arab influence on American politicians of both parties."

• C. JOSEPH GIROIR, Jr.
  "The Indo-money affair is cut from the same cloth as the scandal of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, which earlier this decade led to the bank fraud indictment of former Defense Secretary and presidential adviser Clark Clifford. (The federal and New York State case against Clifford was later dropped because of his advanced age and the acquittal of his associate Robert Altman on similar charges.) The BCCI was trying to buy hidden control of American banks to build its global empire and also to wield influence for its Arab patrons. The Riadys and their allies had in addition the motive of sheer survival. They have been investing in Bill Clinton for twelve years, and one can understand why they would disregard American campaign law in the effort to preserve their stake."

  Gore and Clinton and Some of Their Associates Linked to Terrorist Groups?

  Hillary Clinton has a long record of association with Islamic militants

  Report: Anti-Israel group gives Hillary Clinton campaign $50,000

  Clinton campaign returns donation to defender of Hamas

  Chinese trade coup staggers US spy chiefs

  PRESIDENTIAL TREASON

  CHINAGATE I

  CHINAGATE II

  THE GREAT STONEWALL OF CHINA

  Chinese Warlord Visits Washington, D.C.

  'Chinese Agent' Funneled Buddhist Temple Money to Gore Since 1993

  Dynamite Affidavit Exposes Vast Clinton Administration Cover-Up

  Clinton asked about ties to Riady, can't recall $1 million offer

  RIADY INVITES CLINTON TO JOIN LIPPO BOARD

  Clinton Considering $2 Million Offer From Chinese Firm

  Why Clinton Came - On May 7, 1998, President William Jefferson Clinton addressed the Arab American Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. It was the first time an U.S. President had addressed an Arab American conference
  "the Clinton White House has been extremely supportive of Arab American involvement. While Arab American involvement at the 1993 White House signing ceremony and Vice President Gore's Builders for Peace are well known as are the frequent Arab American White House and State Department meetings.

  ..In 1996, Arab American involvement in the national electoral arena took a step forward when the Clinton-Gore Presidential Campaign formally launched, at a Washington press conference, the Arab Americans for Clinton-Gore committee. In 1997 this committee was transformed into the Arab American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC), a recognized part of the Democratic Party.

  ..I recall an event in the middle of Israel's 1996 bombing campaign in Lebanon that made it clear to me how far we had developed. As always happens in the middle of a crisis situation the White House Office of Public Liaison called my office to see how the community was reacting to the bombing and what could be done to assist us. The National Security Council also called and organized a few meetings for our leadership with the White House and State Department officials."

  In Gamble, Clinton Supports Russian Germ Warfare Scientists May 26, 2000

  Hillary Fattening Campaign War Chest At Secret Sit-Down With Arafat Cronies

  Fund-Raising Event at Masri Mansion Closed to Press

  By ELI LAKE
  FORWARD STAFF

  WASHINGTON -- The Democratic Senate candidate from New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is raising tens of thousands of dollars at secret private fund-raisers from cronies of Yasser Arafat, even as she publicly courts Jewish voters.

  Mrs. Clinton sat for an interview for this week's issue of the organ of the UJA-Federation of New York, and she's scheduled to march through the Big Apple in the Israel Day Parade on June 4. But the Forward has learned that on May 12, Mrs. Clinton attended a private fund-raising reception at the Washington mansion of Hani Masri, a close associate of Mr. Arafat. The event, which sources say raised more than $50,000, was closed to the press, which wouldn't have known about the event anyway, since it wasn't listed on Mrs. Clinton's public schedule.

  A week later, on May 19 -- the same day that Mayor Giuliani dramatically announced his withdrawal from the Senate race -- Mrs. Clinton quietly slipped into Virginia to attend another fund-raising event. This time, sources say, she brought in more than $70,000 at the home of Rafat "Ray" Mahmood, a Pakistani-American real-estate developer who was in Islamabad during President Clinton's visit to Pakistan earlier this year. Again, the fund-raiser was closed to the press and not listed on Mrs. Clinton's public schedule.

  The news of the events is raising concerns among some Middle East analysts, Jewish leaders and advocates of campaign-finance reform. No one is denying the right of Arab Americans or Muslim Americans to become involved in reform. No one is denying the right of Arab Americans or Muslim Americans to become involved in the American political process, and no one is alleging any impropriety. Questions are being raised, however, about what the events say about Mrs. Clinton's political judgment and about the stance she would take on Middle East issues if elected to the Senate. Other candidates supported by Mr. Mahmood or Mr. Masri, either directly or through political action committees, include some of Israel's most vocal critics in Congress, those such as Rep. Jim Moran, Rep. David Bonior and Rep. Tom Campbell.

  "This is part of the problem with Hillary Clinton. She just doesn't get it. She doesn't understand why many of us have this major problem with her positions. What can I tell you? These are exactly the kinds of things she needs to explain, and they are almost unexplainable," said Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Democrat from Brooklyn. Mrs. Clinton, under the guidance of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, has been wooing Mr. Hikind in recent weeks, even paying a shiva call in Brooklyn after the death of Mr. Hikind's father. Mr. Hikind said he would raise the issue of the secret fund-raisers with Mrs. Clinton the next time they spoke.

  The president of the Middle East Media Research Institute, Yigal Carmon, said of Mr. Masri, "I am not sure this is the best ally a candidate for the U.S. Senate should choose," especially for someone running in New York, with its substantial number of Jewish voters. Memri has done extensive research on the Masri family's control of the Palestinian Development Investment Co. and its ties to Mr. Arafat. Padico owns a majority stake in the stock market in the Palestinian Authority and in the poultry, mortgage, real-estate and plastic-bottle industries there.

  The fact that Mr. Masri's company, Capital Investment Management Corp., is awaiting the delivery of a $60 million loan backed by American taxpayers through the Overseas Private Investment Corp. also has some government watchdog groups concerned about appearances. The loan, for investments in the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan, was approved in 1997 in a process that involved no public advertisement or request for proposals. "Unfortunately, this is par for the course," said the spokesman for Common Cause, a campaign-finance watchdog group, Jeffrey Cronin. "The problem with our current campaign-finance system is that this creates the appearance that you have to donate or raise large sums of money to get access and influence with elected officials."

  Mr. Mahmood said he supports Democrats and has no views on foreign policy other than that he supports peace. He said he had been in Pakistan on a family vacation that coincided with Mr. Clinton's visit.

  Mr. Masri told the Forward that "both Bill and Hillary have done a great job. The president has done a great job in his foreign efforts." He added that the president and Mrs. Clinton's leadership give Israelis and Palestinian Arabs "hope to come to a peaceful settlement."

  "For that reason, I'm supporting the first lady," Mr. Masri said.

  Mr. Masri said he was asked by Mrs. Clinton's campaign to host the fund-raiser and that he complied. The event drew a few more than 60 persons, said Mr. Masri's wife, Cheryl. Among them was the legendary fund-raiser for Mr. Clinton, Terry McAuliffe, a source said.

  Mr. Masri said he wished he never signed for the OPIC loan, calling it a hassle. "OPIC looks at every little detail in terms of how much they are going to make....It's tough to raise money in the Palestinian territory," he said. He said there is no connection between his fund-raising activities and the OPIC loan.

  Not all Jewish observers saw a problem with Mrs. Clinton's fund-raiser at the Masri home. "Enough with Hillary-Israel bashing and Arab-American bashing, Hillary Clinton is great on Israel," said a Democratic operative and public-affairs strategist, Steven Rabinowitz.

  ASIAN MONEY BOUGHT CLINTON FAVORS

  Red Chinese agents penetrated Clinton’s White House

  Something is rotten in Washington's corridors of power. And we aren't talking about lying about sultry sex (and alleged private matters that may or may not be high crimes and misdemeanors), but corruption in the highest circles of our government --- the Departments of Navy, Justice, Defense, Commerce, culminating with bribery and potential treason involving the President and Vice President of the United States

  Reno calls Taiwan an intelligence threat

  FBI agents claim DOJ fixed probe: Reno, aides worked 'hand and glove' with WH to protect Clinton

  FBI COVER-UP OF CHINESE INFILTRATION OF WHITE HOUSE

  INSIGHT ALERT! What Congress Knew and Didn’t Pursue

  GOP Folds On Chinagate

  Network Apathy Toward Chinese Contributions and Espionage

  Is the Clinton Exchange of Foreign Policy for Chinese Campaign Contributions of No Interest to Americans?

[windchime]

BTT!

[kcvl]

.

[Matchett-PI]

20089 UPDATE:

[1]
Andrew C. McCarthy
April 30, 2008 6:00 A.M.
Still Willfully Blind After All These Years
Laurie Mylroie pretends to review Willful Blindness.
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/224339/still-willfully-blind-after-all-these-years/andrew-c-mccarthy

[2]
Setting the Record Straight: What We Learned in 1993
By ANDREW McCARTHY and LAURIE MYLROIE | May 8, 2008
http://www.nysun.com/arts/setting-the-record-straight-what-we-learned/76090/

[3]
Laurie Mylroie
May 6, 2008 4:00 A.M.
Writing Blind
A response to Andy McCarthy.
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/224383/writing-i-blind-i/laurie-mylroie

[4]
Laurie Mylroie
May 6, 2008 9:59 A.M.
By Andrew C. McCarthy
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/162693/laurie-mylroie-andrew-c-mccarthy

As she apparently wants to have Round Two, I will have more to say later this week about Laurie Mylroie’s blather here http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/224383/writing-i-blind-i/laurie-mylroie on the site today. Meanwhile, besides my take, http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/224339/still-willfully-blind-after-all-these-years/andrew-c-mccarthy and Steve Hayes’s post at the Weekly Standard last week, http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/04/mccarthy_on_mylroie.asp Daniel Pipes also has a few choice words today, in a post on his site called, “Laurie Mylroie’s Shoddy, Loopy, Zany Theories ­ Exposed.” http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2008/04/laurie-mylroies-shoddy-loopy-zany-theories