Why Is Osama Bin Laden So Silent On Iraq?

IOL (South Africa) ^ | 4-7-2003 | Michael Sailhan

[blam]

Why is Osama bin Laden so silent on Iraq?

April 07 2003 at 01:18PM

By Michel Sailhan

Cairo - Feared Islamic militant Osama bin Laden has shown no sign of life since the United States-led war on Iraq started nearly three weeks ago, raising questions about his whereabouts, should he still be alive.

Could the mastermind of the September 11 attacks on the United States be waiting for his hour in Iraq after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is removed? Is he unable to communicate after the arrest of a top aide? Or is he simply dead?

In the run-up to the war that began on March 20, Bin Laden reportedly told Islamist militants to join the fight against the US forces in Iraq, despite deep-rooted hatred of Baghdad's secular Arab nationalist regime.

'US President George Bush is the Pharaoh of the century' "There is nothing wrong in Muslim interests converging with those of the socialists in the battle against the Crusaders, even if we believe and declare that the socialists, whether in Iraq or Yemen, are apostates," he said in an audio tape attributed to him, aired on February 11 by Qatar's Al-Jazeera television.

On February 16, in another audio tape posted on the Internet, the leader of the al-Qaeda network assured that Muslims "had the means to defeat the Americans," describing US President George Bush as "the Pharaoh of the century".

The US state department saw in the recordings proof of collusion between Saddam and Bin Laden, despite Baghdad's vehement denials.

Algerian-born French analyst Hasni Abidi voiced the possibility that Bin Laden could no longer relay public messages after the arrest on March 1 in Pakistan of al-Qaeda's third in command, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

"The noose has tightened after the arrest of Sheikh Mohammed who had information on Bin Laden's whereabouts and Bin Laden might have lost therefore the possibility of getting his message through," said Abidi.

'He might be preparing something much more powerful than words' "Has he lost contact with his men?" wondered Lebanese-born French analyst Antoine Basbous, who head the Arab Countries Observatory in Paris. "Or is he waiting for his hour to come?"

"The best part for Bin Laden is not what is happening now, a fight between Americans and Saddam Hussein, whose regime he had criticised," said Abidi.

"His speech will have wider reach when he if can demonstrate that the war is between the Iraqi people and occupation forces," he added.

"He might as well be waiting for Saddam to fall to explain that the nationalist regimes have failed and that the Umma (the worldwide community of Muslims) should take over," said Basbous.

"Saddam is his only competitor (in the Arab world), he has been for several months on all screens," Ghassan Charbel wrote in the London-based Arab newspaper Al-Hayat on Saturday.

"Bin Laden must be monitoring from his cave what is happening. He cannot be indifferent because if it had not been for the September 11 attacks, the US army would not be on the gates of Baghdad," he said.

"Perhaps, his men are preparing large-scale attacks on the rear of the US forces, on bases or aircraft carriers. It will take some time," said Basbous.

London-based Islamist Yasser Al-Serri goes for this possibility.

"He might be preparing something much more powerful than words," said the militant, whose extradition is sought by Egypt. - Sapa-AFP

[Nick Danger]

I hear Elvis is planning a comeback tour as well.

[Redcloak]

Why is Osama bin Laden so silent on Iraq?

CUZ HE'S DEAD!!

[Petronski]

The Iraqi ministry of infomation says that Osama is alive and well; in fact he just opened the first Afghan Quizno's.

Hmmm. I'll have a BLT and a bottle of beer, hold the hummus.

[ScholarWarrior]

Maybe we caught him in that big hullaballoo after Sheikh Muhammed was caught in February before the war started. There was a quick story that it was his sons, but maybe we have the big boy under wraps.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

The Iraqi ministry of infomation says that Osama is alive and well; in fact he just opened the first Afghan Quizno's.

Oven Toasted Tastes Better.

[Thinkin' Gal]

One thing's for sure... Osama and Saddam will continue to vote demoncrat.

[sinclair]

“Ive noticed dead people dont say much“

No, but they often vote for Democrats.

[thoughtomator]

I'm starting to think that it's more effective that these guys simply disappear, never to be heard from again, in US bombing raids.

After enough of these guys who 'live on' to release recorded statements, but never seem to manage to make a concrete reference to an event that happened after we bombed them, all the whining about whether these guys are still alive or not will qualify one for an asylum.

One day they will find the remains of Saddam and Osama - and it will make somebody's archaeology career.

[honeygrl]

My bets are that *if* Osama is alive, he's in Pakistan. That's where they all seem to pop up.

[sourcery]

My take: if Osama's alive, then the capture of his key lieutenant has him so spooked that he's afraid to fart--even whle packed in a huge tub of soundproofing foam in the deepest moutain cave!

[COBOL2Java]

BinLaden's nothing but a small time punk now...

Hey, he may be a small time punk, but in 20 years or so, he'll get a nice pension from the Southland Corporation...

[proud American in Canada]

bump

[LibKill]

Why is Osama bin Laden so silent on Iraq?

If he's alive, maybe he doesn't want a tomahawk cruise missle up his fundamental orifice. His organization has been largely destroyed, his money has been cut off, even if he lives he would have a hard time just staying alive.

[Oztrich Boy]

Why Is Osama Bin Laden So Silent On Iraq?

Yeah, he's been silent as the grave.

[DannyTN]

Possibilities... Includes a recap of others suggestions

• Saddam was bankrolling him, and no pay, no work.
• He's afraid to fart
• He's dead Jim.
• He's hoping to convince the Ummah to take over
• He's hoping by his silence that the arab street will volunteer for jihad.
• His organization is so disorganized the most they can pull off is a small train bombing in Bangladesh.
• He's working with Hillary on her manuscript.
• He's figured out he's opened his mouth one too many times in the past and it's counter-productive.
• He's afraid his own people have contaminated themselves with biologicals.
• He's in house arrest somewhere in a Muslim country that is hoping they are not next on the US list.
• He invested in Iraqi baby formula and is financially ruined.
• He's was speaking through the French.
• He's advising NKorea's Chia Head Dictator on how to intimidate the west. My favorites are He's dead or afraid to fart.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Osama, Saddam, Ali, & Udai.

[freekitty]

Well, when you have been vaporized. what can you say?

[blam]

He's dead DannyTN.

[FixitGuy]

He was visiting Sadaam two weeks ago in his bunker!

Please Alah, say it is so!

[tubebender]

Hmmm. I'll have a BLT and a bottle of beer, hold the hummus.

Don't you want Crispy Pork Rinds on the side...