Albright: I Don't Know Why Clinton Turned Down Bin Laden Deal

[Free ThinkerNY]

NewsMax.com

Sunday Feb. 9, 2003

Albright: I Don't Know Why Clinton Turned Down Bin Laden Deal--

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Sunday that she couldn't explain why ex-president Bill Clinton turned down a deal with the government of Sudan to take Osama bin Laden into custody seven years ago. But she admitted that, "obviously, in hindsight, one would wish that some other action had been taken."

Albright feigned ignorance of the Clinton-bin Laden extradition deal during the following exchange with NBC "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert:

RUSSERT: In May of 1996 under pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia, the Sudanese government asked bin Laden to leave. He returned to Afghanistan permanently..... Was it a mistake to let Osama bin Laden leave Sudan - or at least not apprehend him in Qatar on his way to Afghanistan?

ALBRIGHT: As I understand it, and I was ambassador to the U.N. at the time, was that basically we felt that he was too intricately involved with some of the activities in Sudan, which was a major issue for us. And that it was better to get him out of there.

Obviously, in hindsight, one would wish that some other action had been taken. But, for the most part, that was a decision made on the basis of information at that time, that he was playing the terrorist game there and that there had in fact been terrorist activity. As you know, there was an attempt on President Mubarak's life that came out of that area. And that it was probably better to move (bin Laden) out.

RUSSERT: But why not capture him, apprehend him while he was refueling in Qatar?

ALBRIGHT: I can't answer that question. (End of excerpt)

While Ms. Albright claims she doesn't know the answer to that question, Mr. Russert certainly does - though he declined to challenge her. But in fact, in May 1996, ex-President Clinton gave the order not to take bin Laden into custody, a blunder he confessed in a speech to a Long Island, N.Y. business group last year.

"Mr. bin Laden used to live in Sudan. He was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1991, then he went to Sudan," Clinton told the Long Island Association in on Feb. 15, 2002.

"And we'd been hearing that the Sudanese wanted America to start dealing with them again. They released him. At the time, 1996, he had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here because we had no basis on which to hold him, though we knew he wanted to commit crimes against America."

Clinton continued:

"So I pleaded with the Saudis to take him, 'cause they could have. But they thought it was a hot potato and they didn't and that's how he wound up in Afghanistan." (End of Excerpt)

Though Mr. Clinton's confession has been widely covered in such high profile venues as the Fox News Channel's "O'Reilly Factor," "Hannity & Colmes," WOR Radio's "The Bob Grant Show" and, just the night before Albright' protested her ignorance, WABC Radio's "Batchelor & Alexander Show," network news organizations like Russert's NBC News have embargoed coverage of the bombshell development. ( Click Here to listen to Bill Clinton admit that he let bin Laden off the hook.)

The big media cover-up has allowed New York Sen. Hillary Clinton to escape confrontation on the issue of her husband's blunder. And two weeks ago, in an interview with WLIE Radio's Mike Siegel, she tried to blame President Bush for "mishandling" North Korea and for not stopping Osama bin Laden before 9/11.

[woodyinscc]

"His Cabinet resembled a circus side show of midgets, perverts and other assorted scum........like the bar scene in STAR WARS."

The difference between the previous Cabinet is stark and readily discernable. I say let Albright make the entire circuit in defending the Clinton Adm. What better way to point out how much better off we are now?

[Doe Eyes]

Clinton could have nabbed bin Laden as early as 1991 when he was expelled from Saudi.

Not the sort of thing most Governors would attempt, but you never know.

[hgro]

"Maddie" had trouble knowing her ancestory much less what was happening day to day. This women is a klutz by any definition.

[Mo1]

Maybe it's finally beginning to sink in to their thought processes as to why the rest of us lowly citizens out here were so outraged at the concept of the Sinkmeister getting BJs from Monica while on the phone to congress critters and Senators.

Naaaa ... they just don't want to take the blame for it .. cause they know Clinton will blame everyone beside himself for what happen

[Captain Beyond]

Yeah this is also the same woman that thinks it is bad for U.S. to be the only super power in the world. One sick puppy.

[woodyinscc]

"First Cohen, now Albright"

Two oxymorons!!!
Albright-Powell
Cohen-Rumsfeld

[yianni]

...as if it's impossible for us to do more than one thing at a time.

It is impossible for the diplohag to do more than one thing at a time.

[Sacajaweau]

I just think Hillary will use her new little job as an excuse for not answering questions. She said it was an important job because she would know what she was talking about (that's pretty mush a quote).

Somewhere, somehow, she's going to "leak" something which will have serious consequences. She simply can't be trusted.

[Benrand]

Forgot to close my <,CSPAN seminar caller> tags

[timestax]

Everything connected to the clintoons is just plain sickening!

[Mo1]

Somewhere, somehow, she's going to "leak" something which will have serious consequences. She simply can't be trusted.

I agree

[Sacajaweau]

Didn't she "discover" she was Jewish, too??? Maybe she's related to Kerry....or they use the same genealogist. (have to check on that).

[Bigg Red]

Ah, yes, Madeline Half-Bright, the Affirmative Action hire for Secretary of State...

Qualifications: Willing and able to lie and obfuscate for Ix-42 forever.

[Bigg Red]

Of course, Russert never challenged her on that.


Which is why I have never watched Russert since his interview with Hitlery, the softball fest of all time. Prior to that show, I never missed his program.

[Bigg Red]

Clinton could have nabbed bin Laden as early as 1991 when he was expelled from Saudi.

I think you're forgetting that the slimeball didn't beginn infesting the WH until '93. (I know, the reign of horror seemed a lot longer than 8 years.)

[JoeSixPack1]

Problem is .. NO ONE in the media will confront her, they just let her babble on with her BS

No one in the media is allowed near her without pre-approved topics of discussion. She doesn't give interviews. But she will rehearse one for you for cash.

[Bigg Red]

Brilliant graphic!

[bigjoesaddle]

This is actually a pretty big deal. One of Clinton's people refused to cover his ass! Much different than Reno's "the buck stops here" comment, covering up Clintoon's order to go into Waco. Albright laid it all on Clinton. (and don't think she wont hear from Bill or Hill before the day is over).

[Amerigomag]

While Ms. Albright claims she doesn't know the answer to that question

Newsmax might be bettered served to read their own copy.

Albright responded: "I can't answer that question".

You bet see can't answer that question .. while Clinton is alive.