Al-Queda based in northern Iraq.
>From Humans Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/mena/ansarbk020503.htm
--
Ansar al-Islam fi Kurdistan (Supporters of Islam in Kurdistan) is one
of a number of Sunni Islamist groups based in the Kurdish-controlled
northern provinces of Iraq. Its bases are in and around the villages
of Biyara and Tawela, which lie northeast of the town of Halabja in
the Hawraman region of Sulaimaniya province bordering Iran.
Ansar al-Islam came together as a group in September 2001, initially
under the name of Jund al-Islam (Soldiers of Islam), but its
constituent factions have existed for several years. Espousing an
ultra-orthodox Islamic ideology reminiscent of Wahhabism, the group's
leaders issued decrees imposing their strict interpretation of Islam
on the local inhabitants and introducing harsh punishments for those
who failed to comply with their decrees. Since its establishment, the
group's armed fighters have engaged in intermittent clashes with the
forces of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in whose stronghold
Biyara and Tawela are located.
--
On Wed, 7 Jul 2004 13:50:40 -0400, Nick McClure <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I don't recall that, but at the same time I don't doubt it either.
>
> However, the President stated that if you are a known supporter of
> terrorism, then you are a target in the war on terrorism. The war on terror
> was in response to people flying planes into buildings.
>
> We know Saddam supported terrorists. The number of Palestinian suicide bombs
> seems to have gone down considerable sense Saddam was removed from power,
> leading me to conclude there was a direct correlation between Saddam and
> terrorist attacks occurring in Israel and the West Bank, and that by
> removing a main source of money to these groups has made it harder for them
> to commit these acts which further destabilize the region.
>
> Like I have always said, there were valid reasons to remove Saddam Hussein;
> our President was just not able to get those reasons across to the American
> People.
>
> _____
>
> From: Kevin Graeme [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 1:29 PM
> To: CF-Community
> Subject: Re: 9/11 Commission to Cheney - You're still wrong.
>
> On Wed, 7 Jul 2004 13:16:03 -0400, Nick McClure <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
>
> > Bush was very clear to never state that Saddam or Iraq helped plan or had
> > any direct involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
>
> Yes, very careful to never state and yet strongly insinuate. For
> instance, when justifying the war in Iraq when pressed he almost
> always eventually say something along the lines of "We didn't start
> this. Terrorists flying planes into buildings started this." And it's
> not just Bush. That's a basic defense argument used by the whole
> administration and even supporters like McCaine.
>
> -Kevin
>
>
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