Posted on 07/15/2003 5:43:03 PM PDT by Mia T
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I decided to look back to 1999 to see what links there may have been between Saddam and OBL. I found hundreds of articles. Here are condensed summaries of some of the more relevant ones.ÝÝI wonder why no one is talking about these articles and links today.
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The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), December 28, 1999.
Iraq tempts bin Laden to attack West
Now we are also facing the prospect of an unholy alliance between bin Laden and Saddam. The implications are terrifying.
"We might be looking at the most wanted man on the FBI's target list gaining access to chemical, biological or even nuclear weapons courtesy of Iraq's clandestine research programmes."
The U.S. intelligence community has been squeezing bin Laden's finances steadily for several years. His personal fortune of anything up to £500m has been whittled down to single figures ...
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U.S. Newswire, December 23, 1999.
Terrorism Expert Reveals Why Osama bin Laden has Declared War On America; Available for Comment in Light of Predicted Attacks.
... (author Yossef) Bodansky also reveals the relationship between bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and how the U.S. bombing of Iraq is "strengthening the hands of militant Islamists eager to translate their rage into violence and terrorism."Ý ....
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The Observer. December 19, 1999.
Sanctions reviewed in West as Saddam wields sword of Islam
The Iraqi dictator has rejected a UN deal to lift sanctions. The Western blockade, far from toppling the regime, has bolstered it. He's ditched the sunglasses and taken up the Koran to harness the fervour ofÝ fundamentalists.
By: Jason Burke, in Baghdad
... This time last year the U.S. claimed that another delegation had met Osama bin Laden, the alleged terrorist mastermind and tried to woo him to Iraq.
Senior officials claim that the Islamisation programme is an attempt to defuse the threat of Islamic militancy rather than encourage it ...
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United Press International. November 3, 1999, Wednesday, BC cycle.
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government has tried to prevent accused terror suspect Osama bin Laden from fleeing Afghanistan to either Iraq or Chechnya, Michael Sheehan, head of counter-terrorism at the State Department, told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee ...
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Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio). October 31, 1999. Sunday 1 STAR EDITION.
BIN LADEN SPOTTED AFTER OFFER TO LEAVE
DATELINE: JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN:
... The Taliban has since made it known through official channels that the likely destination is Iraq.
A Clinton administration official said bin Laden's request "falls far short" of the UN resolution that the Taliban deliver him for trial....
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The Kansas City Star. March 2, 1999, Tuesday.
International terrorism, a conflict without boundaries
By Rich Hood
... He (bin Laden)Ýhas a private fortune ranging from $250 million to $500 million and is said to be cultivating a new alliance with Iraq's Saddam Hussein, who has biological and chemical weapons bin Laden would not hesitate to use. An alliance between bin Laden and Saddam Hussein could be deadly. Both men are united in their hatred for the United States and any country friendly to the United States....
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Los Angeles Times. February 23, 1999, Tuesday, Home Edition.
Where is Osama bin Laden (Feb. 14)? That should be the U.S.'s main priority. If as rumored he and Saddam Hussein are joining forces, it could pose a threat making Hitler and Mussolini seem like a sideshow....
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National Public Radio (NPR)
THOUGH AFGHANISTAN HAS PROVIDED OSAMA BIN LADEN WITH SANCTUARY, IT IS UNCLEAR WHERE HE IS NOW.
... There have also been reports in recent months that bin Laden might have been considering moving his operations to Iraq. Intelligence agencies in several nations are looking into that. According to Vincent Cannistraro, a former chief of CIA counterterrorism operations, a senior Iraqi intelligence official, Farouk Hijazi(ph), sought out bin Laden in December and invited him to come to Iraq.
Mr. VINCENT CANNISTRARO (Former Chief of CIA Counterterrorism Operations): Farouk Hijazi, who was the Iraqi ambassador in Turkey ... known through sources in Afghanistan, members of Osama's entourage let it be known that the meeting had taken place.
SHUSTER: Iraq's contacts with bin Laden go back some years, to at least 1994, when, according to one U.S. government source, Hijazi met him when bin Laden lived in Sudan. According to Cannistraro, Iraq invited bin Laden to live in Baghdad to be nearer to potential targets of terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. There is a wide gap between bin Laden's fundamentalism and Saddam Hussein's secular dictatorship. But some experts believe bin Laden might be tempted to live in Iraq because of his reported desire to obtain chemical or biological weapons. CIA director George Tenet referred to that in recent testimony....
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Agence France Presse. February 17, 1999.
Saddam plans to use bin Laden against Kuwait, Saudi: opposition
Iraq's President Saddam Hussein plans to use alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden's network to carry out his threats against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, an Iraqi opposition figure charged on Wednesday.
... Islamic fundamentalist bin Laden, who has gone missing from his base in Afghanistan, would never seek refuge in secular Iraq on ideological grounds. "I think bin Laden would keep quiet or fight to the death rather than seek asylum in Iraq," the London-based dissident, who asked not to be named, told AFP last week.....
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Deutsche Presse-Agentur. February 17, 1999, Wednesday, BC Cycle
Opposition group says bin Laden in Iraq
DATELINE: Kuwait City
An Iraqi opposition group claimed in a published report Wednesday that Islamic militant Osama bin Laden is in Iraq from where he plans to launch a campaign of terrorism against Baghdad's Gulf neighbours.
The claim was made by Bayan Jabor, spokesman for the Teheran-based Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI).
Bin Laden "recently settled in Iraq at the invitation of Saddam Hussein in exchange for directing strikes against targets in neighbouring countries," Jabor told the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai al- Aam ... Taleban leaders in Afghanistan, where he had been living, said they lost track of him. Media reports have speculated he sought refuge in Chechnya, Somalia, Iraq, or with a non-Taliban group in Afghanistan.
Jabor, who was interviewed in Damascus, Syria, said Iraq began extending invitations to bin Laden six months ago, shortly after the United States bombed his suspected terrorist training camps in Afghanistan after linking him with the August 7 bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and in Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania.
The United States indicted Bin Laden for the embassy bombings and has offered a five million dollar reward for information leading to his capture. Bin Laden's disappearance has coincided with stepped up threats by Iraq against neighbours Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey for allowing the United States and Britain to use their air bases to carry out air patrols over two "no-fly" zones over northern and southern Iraq ....
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Associated Press Worldstream. February 14, 1999.
Taliban leader says whereabouts of bin Laden unknown
... Analysts say bin Laden's options for asylum are limited.
Iraq was considered a possible destination because bin Laden had received an invitation from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein last month. And Somalia was a third possible destination because of its anarchy and violent anti-U.S. historyÝ....
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San Jose Mercury News (California).Ý February 14, 1999 Sunday MORNING FINAL EDITION
U.S. WORRIED ABOUT IRAQI, BIN LADEN TIES TERRORIST COULD GAIN EVEN
U.S. intelligence officials are worried that a burgeoning alliance between terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein could make the fugitive Saudi's loose-knit organization much more dangerous ...
In addition, the officials said, Palestinian terrorist Abu Nidal is now in Iraq, as is aÝrenowned Palestinian bomb designer, and both could make their expertise available to bin Laden.
"It's clear the Iraqis would like to have bin Laden in Iraq," said Vincent Cannistraro, a former head of counterterrorism operations at the Central Intelligence AgencyÝ ...
Saddam has even offered asylum to bin Laden, who has expressed support for Iraq.
... (in) late December, when bin Laden met a senior Iraqi intelligence official near Qandahar, Afghanistan, there has been increasing evidence that bin Laden and Iraq may have begun cooperating in planning attacks against American and British targets around the world.
Bin Laden, who strikes in the name of Islam, and Saddam, one of the most secular rulers in the Arab world, have little in common except their hatred of the United States ...
More worrisome, the American officials said, are indications that there may be contacts between bin Laden's organization and Iraq's Special Security Organization (SSO), run by Saddam's son Qusay. Both the SSO and the Mukhabarat were involved in a failed 1993 plot to assassinate former President George Bush ...
"The idea that the same people who are hiding Saddam's biological weapons may be meeting with Osama bin Laden is not a happy one," said one American official....
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Associated Press Worldstream. February 13, 1999; Saturday 14:32 Eastern Time
Bin Laden said to have left Afghanistan, whereabouts unknown
... It is very unlikely bin Laden could remain in Afghanistan without Taliban officials knowing his whereabouts.
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has offered asylum to bin Laden, who has expressed support for Iraq.
U.S. officials believe bin Laden masterminded the Aug. 7 bombings of its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania ...
Bin Laden urged devout Muslims to attack U.S. and British interests in retaliation for their joint assault on Iraq.
U.S. officials demanded that the Taliban hand over bin Laden, who has been indicted in a U.S. court on murder charges in connection with the bombings. But the Taliban had refused.
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The Bulletin's Frontrunner. January 4, 1999, Monday.
Defiant Saddam Looks To Provoke U.S.
... Time also reported, "For now, the White House will respond to each provocation by counterattacking the offending battery."
Saddam Reaching Out To bin Laden.
Newsweek (1/11, Contreras) reported, "U.S. sources say (Saddam) is reaching out to Islamic terrorists, including some who may be linked to Osama bin Laden." ...
(Osama bin Laden was) calling for all-out war on Americans, using as his main pretext Washington's role in bombing and boycotting Iraq." In a Newsweek interview, bin Laden said that "'any American who pays taxes to hisÝ government," is a legitimate target." Newsweek reported, "The idea of an alliance between Iraq and bin Laden is alarming to the West," although "Saddam may think he's too good for such an association." However, "Now that the United States has made his removal from office a national objective....
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The White House Bulletin. Copyright 1999. Bulletin Broadfaxing Network, Inc.
In a Newsweek interview, bin Laden said that "'any American who pays taxes to his government," is a legitimate target." Newsweek reported, "The idea of an alliance between Iraq and bin Laden is alarming to the West," although "Saddam may think he's too good for such an association." However, "Now that the United States has made his removal from office a national objective, he....
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United Press International. January 3, 1999, Sunday, BC cycle.
UPI Focus: Bin Laden 'instigated' embassy bombings
... (The Taliban) government in Afghanistan says the Saudi does not have the money to finance projects in the country. Newsweek also reported that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been making new overtures to bin Laden in an attempt to rebuild his intelligence network and to create his own terror network....
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In reference to what?
And has spoken up to make sure Americans realize the facts and backed our current president...
Here is a lengthy report by Laurie Mylroie from February 10, 1999 which references a compilation of news reports from that timeframe:
Excerpts:
Vincent Cannistraro, ( former Chief of Counterterrorism Operations for the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, has suggested a very sensible and quite clever explanation for what was going on at al-Shifa--why it turned out to be a pharmaceutical factory; why the US had compelling evidence linking it to VX; and why it can't be found now. When US officials were obliged to defend their decision to attack the al-Shifa plant, after the Aug 20 strike, they revealed an Iraqi link to al-Shifa, as reported, for example, in the NYT Aug 25. US officials also revealed the existence of other sites in Khartoum thought to be associated with Iraq and VX production. Clinton chose al-Shifa as a target, because it was the only VX-related site not near a populated area.
~snip~
A senior Iraqi intelligence official, Farouk Hijazi, newly appointed as Iraq's ambassador to Turkey, did visit Osama bin Ladin in Afghanistan in December, as several of those articles reported. There has been more reporting on bin Ladin and Iraq. All of it included the suggestion that Iraq is coordinating with bin Ladin on CBW terrorism. The Italian paper, Corriere della Sera, reported Feb 1, "Terrorist cells belonging to the network organized by Osama bin Laden . . . are ready to go into action in the countries of the Persian Gulf and Europe. According to a confidential report, the list of targets is ready. It was agreed in Kandahar (Afghanistan) 21 December by Osama himself and Farouk Hijazi. .
~snip~
The New York Post, Feb 1, reported, "Saddam Hussein-battered, humiliated and increasingly isolated-plans to resort to terrorism in revenge for US airstrikes against his country. . . US officials say the CIA has received 'credible and reliable' intelligence reports that Saddam is forging alliances with some of the Middle East's most bloodthirsty terrorists-including Osama Bin Ladin and Abu Nidal-as part of an apparently new campaign to strike American targets and possibly destablise Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. . . . US officials are concerned about the possibility that Saddam could not only help with funding and logistics for Bin Ladin's far-flung network, . . . but he could also help the group acquire chemical and biological weapons."
~snip~
Bin Laden reportedly leaves Afghanistan, whereabouts unknown
February 13, 1999
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has offered asylum to bin Laden, who openly supports Iraq against the Western powers.
(As I've been on the computer looking these articles up I've heard some references on tv about how George W. Bush made up a relationship between bin Laden and Iraq out of whole cloth. Can't we even get the record clear that at the very least it was widely suspected years ago?)
(As I've been on the computer looking these articles up I've heard some references on tv about how George W. Bush made up a relationship between bin Laden and Iraq out of whole cloth. Can't we even get the record clear that at the very least it was widely suspected years ago?)
Afghanistan: Bin Laden's Whereabouts Unknown
February 17, 1999
Excerpt:
Unconfirmed reports, however, say bin Laden could be heading for Iraq, Yemen, or Pakistan, where he has extensive contacts. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein offered bin Laden asylum last month.
Posted: March 19, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
ALL THE FOLLOWING HEADLINES ARE LINKED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE WND ARTICLES AT THE MASTER LINK ABOVE
Judge links Saddam
to Osama bin Laden
Families of Sept. 11 victims awarded $104 million judgment against them
--WND
Saddam sought al-Qaida pact
Reports: Iraqi secret-police documents reveal bin Laden operative visited Baghdad in 1998
--WND
Dossiers link Baghdad to Islamist group
Key leader of 'holy warrior team' was with bin Laden in Sudan
--WND
Iraqi terrorist probe spreads to 11 nations
Agents in sleeper cells allegedly plotting widespread attacks against U.S. interests
--WND
Report: Al-Qaida fighting alongside Saddam's forces
British interrogators say POWs reveal members of bin Laden's group in Basra
--WND
9-11 mastermind Iraqi agent?
Author questions identity of captured al-Qaida operative
--WND
Spain links Iraq to 9-11 attacks
Madrid turns over documents to U.S., holds terrorist for trial
--WND
Poll: Most Americans believe Bush about Saddam
Study also finds majority think Saudi Arabia supports terrorism
--WND
'Smoking gun' in U.S. arsenal?
Intercepted satellite call linked Saddam to al-Qaida terror cell
--WND
Powell presents U.N. 'irrefutable' evidence
Secretary shows satellite photos of activity at chemical, biological weapons facilities
--WND
Australia confirms worst on Iraq
Prime minister says U.S. given intelligence on al-Qaida link
--WND
20 terror commandos unleashed on Europe
Al-Qaida plans attacks before U.S. invades Iraq
--WND
Iraq, al-Qaida linked by administration
Fleischer hints at more coming on connection
--WND
Evidence against Iraq building toward war
Inspectors find chem warheads, Blix issues stern warning, ricin plotters tied to Baghdad
--WND
Ricin plotters tied to al-Qaida, Iraq
Algerian network considered No. 1 terror threat in Europe
--WND
Bush, Blair warned of bin Laden nukes
Al-Qaida purchased 20 suitcase arms from former KGB agents, says report
--WND
Iraq-al-Qaida links go back decade
CIA reports show nearly 100 examples of cooperation, says reporter
--WND
New evidence links Saddam, bin Laden
Iraqi intelligence agent liaison between Baghdad, al-Qaida?
--WND
Iraq, Arafat, bin Laden coalition formed?
Terrorism expert reports joint offensive against West planned
--WND
Does al-Qaida have 20 suitcase nukes?
Author claims bin Laden purchased them in '98 from ex-KGB agents for $30 million
--WND
U.S. captures Iraqis in Afghanistan raid
2 al-Qaida soldiers brought to Bagram base for questioning, Russian fighter also held
--WND
Pro-Saddam fighters attack Kurds
Forces linked to al-Qaida trying to stop cooperation with U.S.
--WND
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