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

[Petronski]

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

Oh definitely...BBQ!

[Free ThinkerNY]

"Do I look dead to you?"

[William McKinley]

Why Is Osama Bin Laden So Silent On Iraq?

Either he is waiting to see how the war turns out before he opens his yap and sticks his foot in it (same reason Hillary's book is 'late')

Or he's dead.

[Quix]

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THOSE 3 BIG SHIPS AMBLING AROUND THE HIGH SEAS AVOIDING ACCOUNTABILITY OF ANY KIND--PRESUMED TO HAVE IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION???

It seems to me Al Qaeda would be happy to take charge of those and spread all kinds of death far and wide.

Lord, God, PLEASE cause those ships to be taken over by responsible American forces.

[arthurus]

Osama has been very close-mouthed at least since Tora Bora and I don't think he has actually said anything since the first action in Afghanistan.

[kimchi lover]

Hopefully BOTH of them are frying in hell right now, while cavorting with their own personal 72 Helen Thomasi virgins.

[IronJack]

Is he able to communicate ... ?

Only via Ouija board.

[cavtrooper21]

Has anybody tried one of them we-gee board thingies....
; )

[IronJack]

The only effective spokesman for Osama bin Laden would be Jonathan Edwards.

[blam]

"WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THOSE 3 BIG SHIPS AMBLING AROUND THE HIGH SEAS AVOIDING ACCOUNTABILITY OF ANY KIND--PRESUMED TO HAVE IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION??"

I don't know either. What happened to the two guys caught at the Mexican border with a couple million dollars to fund terrorist activities?

[jrushing]

Anybody here, seen my old fiend Saddam, can you tell me where he's gone?
He killed a lotta people, and it seems the good, they die young, you know, I just look around and they're gone.

Saddam--Osama--bin gone.

Didn't you hate the things they stood for?
Didn't they try to kill you & me?
And we'll be free, some day soon,
it's gonna be one day.

Saddam--Osama--bin gone.

[Quix]

I agree. Have wondered about those characters and X others like them unknown yet.

I hope some responsible people are following up on these hazardous situations.

[The_Media_never_lie]

"Perhaps, his men are preparing large-scale attacks on the rear of the US forces, on bases or aircraft carriers.

OBL seems to prefer killing inocent civilians.

[tpaine]

There ain't no suitcase nukes, no smallpox, no more hijacked airliners.

These rats are scared to death. All they're peddlin' now is fear.
18 -ss-


I agree, 'spur'. -- There ain't no suitcase nukes, no smallpox, no more hijacked airliners.

The question now becomes:

Exactly which rats are scared to death, -- because they're peddlin' all this fear?

[DannyTN]

Osama's Accomplishments

Afghanistan

• Overthrow of the Taliban (the most perfect Muslim government)
• Introduction of Democracy into Afghanistan.
• Relative peace in Afghanistan for the first time in 20+ years.
• Massive casualties of Taliban and Muslim Jihad fighters.
• Destruction of terrorist camps
• Destruction of cave networks used by terrorists
• Loss of major ammunition stockpiles

  Pakistan

• Government crack down on extreme teachings in Masdras
• Government crack down on Al Qaeda groups operating out of Pakistan
• General denunciation of Terrorist activity
• Democratic elections held in Pakistan (may or may not be related, but I think it speeded up the timetable)

  Iraq

• Overthrow of Saddam
• Introduction of Democracy in Iraq
• American increasingly seen as good in Middle East.
• Disruption of Iraqi financial and logistical support for AlQaeda and Palestinian terrorists.

  Iran

• Now surrounded by democracies on either side.
• Government stability already questionable.

  Saudi Arabia

• Identification of dirty dozen financial supporters of AlQaeda
• US now critical of Saudi Arabia Human Rights record.

  Israel

• Palestinian suicide bombers no longer viewed as sympathically in the world
• Israel has freer hand in crushing Terrorist organizations
• Bush more committed to establishment of a Palestinian state.
• Bush also committed to democracy without Arafat governing a palestinian state.

  The West

• UN has been shown to be a debating society.
• Increased tensions between US and France, Germany, & Russia
• US completely over vietnam complex. Willing to use force when justified.
• US still leading massive coalition of nations.
• Negative effect on stock markets, but not the crash that Osama had hoped for.

[livis_dad]

Why Is Osama Bin Laden So Silent On Iraq? Uhhh... 'cause he's Dead?

[AnAmericanMother]

Nah, he's getting shot up repeatedly in a liquor store:

Bin Laden Liquors - The Game

[mhking]

Pink mist is not able to vocalize....

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[sinkspur]

Exactly which rats are scared to death, -- because they're peddlin' all this fear?

Guess, if you still have your wits about you.

[ContentiousObjector]

could it be because Osama things Saddam is an infidel and would be more than happy to see him removed by anyone or anything?