[The Smoking Gun] Translation of documents from Palestinian Authority office

CNN.com | 4-3-02 | Yasser Arafat's COO

[Oldeconomybuyer]

English translation of documents found in a former Palestinian Authority finance official's office by the IDF that they say are requests for funds from Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade:

Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

Palestine

Financial Report

The debts which we have accumulated until now are estimated to be NIS 38,000. The following are the details:

1. The cost of posters of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades: Azam Mazhar, Usama Jubara, Shadi Afuri, Yasser Badawi, Ahed Fares (addition in handwriting of 2,000 shekels).

2. Costs of printed announcements, invitations and mourners shelters for martyrs (addition in handwriting of 1,250 shekels).

3. Cost of sticking photos of martyrs on wooden boards and also of the martyrs Thabet Thabet and Mahmud Al Jamil (addition in handwriting of 1,000 shekels).

4. Cost of memorial ceremonies for the martyrs. Memorial ceremonies were held for the martyr Azam and the martyr Usama (addition in handwriting of 6,000 shekels).

5. Costs of electricity products and various chemical materials (for manufacture of explosive charges and bombs). This is the greatest expenditure (the cost of one ready explosive charge is 700 shekels at least). We require on a weekly basis 5 – 9 explosives charges for squads in various areas (addition in handwriting of 5,000 shekels per week x 4 = 20,000 shekels per month).

6. The cost of bullets. The cost of a Kalashnikov bullet is 7 – 8 shekels, and an M-16 bullet costs 2 – 2.5 shekels. We need bullets on a daily basis.

7. Note: there are 3,000 Kalashnikov bullets at a cost of 2 shekels per bullet. We require that you transfer to us immediately a sum of money for us to purchase them (addition in handwriting of 22,500 shekels for kalashnikov bullets and 60,000 shekels for M-16 bullets).

In conclusion, all the glory and pride to those supporting the brave resistance against the oppressive occupation.

From the revolution until victory.

Palestinian Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades

16 September 2001

Addition in handwriting: 25,000 Dinar = 150,750:6

[mattdono]

I just want to clarify: I am not saying that these documents are fake or real, I am just commenting on Ms. Mitchell's comments. She could have said something very neutral and waited for the jury to come in. But, instead, she insinuates that they might be fake to maintain neutrality (or to apper later that she was "right all along"), which, in effect, casts a shadow of doubt on the documents validity.

Does anyone really doubt that these documents --showing a tie between the PLO and a terrorist organization responsible for suidcide bombings-- might be real? I mean I am not one to make careless logical leaps, but, in this case, one could certainly be forgiven for doing so.

[kinghorse]

Well well. The second front has been successfully opened. The pressure is off Al Qaeda. Good job Hussein, Khameini and Assad. Bloody good job.

[mewzilla]

Well, if CNN could come back late and claim that the Israelis ginned them up, it would be a propoganda coup for the Palestinians. Which is why, to my mind, there's no way in heck that the Israelis would do it. In any case, they are dealing with terrorists. Of course, they're going to leave a paper trail, especially when they're caught before they can destroy it. What really leaves me slack-jawed is that terrorists have letterheads. Good grief.

[bvw]

"Hassan Abdel Rahman" -- putting out lies. Didn't we read in some of captured Al Quedda training and indoctrination material that jihadists are required to lie to the infidel?

[mewzilla]

The pressure off? I think not. Wouldn't be the first time these idiots have miscalculated. What this means is that the PLO will have to become roadkill on our way to Baghdad. Won't bother me.

[bvw]

But that letterhead is a "tell" -- just like the pre-matyrdom videos .... there's an awful lot of indulgent VANITY in jihad. In fact -- it's all indulgent vanity.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I suppose one has to consider who has the most to gain or lose by generating fake documents. From my perspective, Israel has nothing to gain by releasing fakes while the Palestinians have everything to gain by claiming they are fake. The IDF would have to be either Carvillian or Bagalian to dream up such a stupid tactic.

[mattdono]

What really leaves me slack-jawed is that terrorists have letterheads

I agree this is a little weird, but I can see why. These groups actually believe that what they are doing is legitimate. That they have a letterhead (or business cards...I can see it know: "Osama bin Hodgie, International Terrorist") is just an extension of this delusion.

My point is that the PLO and their minions believe their own lie: that what they are doing is the business of the Palestenian people.

Apparently, the letterhead makes them feel like they are doing their job.

[mewzilla]

Good points, but I still think it's flamin' weird.

But you realize what this means, don't you? Copy the letterhead, ID any techniques used within the papers to authenticate documents, and one could have some real fun with these loons.

[mattdono]

Good points. Interesting thought.

[jonatron]

andrea mitchell said on imus this morning that these documents may be fake.

so what.

[dennisw]

Your take is 100% correct!

[B. A. Conservative]

Freep this Poll

[dennisw]

That sure looks like a computer generated letterhead I could do in about 10 minutes! So Abdul knows how to us his computer and printer and MS Publisher.

[American in Israel]

Wonder how Ms. Mitchell explains all that funny money the Israelis found at Chez PA?

I am sure she said that was fake too, and for once in her life she was right.

[Vermonter]

6. The cost of bullets. The cost of a Kalashnikov bullet is 7 – 8 shekels, and an M-16 bullet costs 2 – 2.5 shekels. We need bullets on a daily basis.

I see a HUGE potential savings here. Just stop firing your guns in the air!

Just about every news report I've seen shows some idiot firing his rifle into the air

[American in Israel]

What really leaves me slack-jawed is that terrorists have letterheads. Good grief.

Heck, they have office hours and "company logos" printed on the front door of their office buildings! When Arafat says he can't find the terrorists to arrest them he has to close the blinds on his window, because the local offices of the terrorist organizations is right across the street. One could come in Saturday through Wednesday 9 to 5 (half day on Thurs)...

[vrwinger]

the pock marked miss mitchell gives me the creeps.

Agreed... And what's with the lipstick? She often looks like Jack Nicholson's Joker in Batman.

[American in Israel]

Addition in handwriting: 25,000 Dinar = 150,750:6

VERY INTERESTING! This little bit of handwriting shows the shekels being changed to Dinar! I know Jordan uses Dinar, what other Arabic Nations use Dinars? Anybody know? This clearly show that the Palestinian Terrorist Organisations are being funded and run not by the Palestinians themselves, but by the Islamic Jihad of the Arab League. Folks we have been had, and bad. We could trace this bit of information by finding out what the exchange rate was on different Arab nations on the date of the memo. Only one would match. That would tell us who was funding the PLO.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I know the pressure everyone is under over there. This suggestion could well detract from your time and if it were not possible I would certainly understand. But perhaps you deserve a small subpage attached to FR where you can offer your on the spot AII views and information on a regular basis re: this situation. We all find your posts and insight very valuable indeed. It would be really good if FR, as a prime conservative information vehicle, actually had you affiliated on the scene as a front line reporter and commentator. I think we could filter through a lot of the smoke and confusion created by CNN, CBS and NBC, based on your cogent observations.

If something broke BIG in Japan that riveted the world's attention to it, I'd be happy to do the same for FR.