-Caveat Lector- Bin Laden Congratulates Tower Terrorists - Denies Involvement By Anton La Guardia Diplomatic Editor The Telegraph London 9-13-1 http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/09/13/wbin13.xml Osama Bin Laden yesterday congratulated those responsible for the terrorist attacks in America. But with characteristic evasiveness, he denied that he was involved. "Osama bin Laden thanked Almighty Allah and bowed before him when he heard this news," said Jamal Ismail, the Islamabad bureau chief of Abu Dhabi Television, who spoke to one of bin Laden's senior lieutenants by satellite telephone. Bin Laden said the onslaught was "a punishment from Allah" for America's attempt to "control the entire world by force". The journalist added: "But he had no information or knowledge about the attack." Bin Laden has been blamed for the bombing of American embassies in Africa in 1998, and Western intelligence agencies believe that he is behind the latest terrorist onslaught. But as American security officials decided on how to respond, Washington gave notice that it would also target "rogue states" who sponsor those responsible for the attacks. If bin Laden was responsible, the first target for retribution will be Afghanistan. The Taliban, the militant Islamic rulers in Kabul who are already under United Nations economic sanctions, are closely allied to bin Laden's network of Muslim extremists and have given him refuge in the country. American missile strikes against his bases in Afghanistan in 1998, and a series of subsequent arrests, have apparently not weakened the group. The Americans will also have to look at elements within Pakistan, which recognises the Taliban regime and whose intelligence services have a web of contacts with Afghan groups. However, Pakistan is a long-standing ally of the United States and destabilising its military ruler, President Pervez Musharraf, may destroy the last bulwark against a takeover by Islamic militant groups. Sudan has in the past harboured bin Laden and was also the target of US missile strikes in 1998. But in recent years it has tried to distance itself from him and to improve relations with Washington. Beyond these countries, it becomes more difficult to identify "state sponsors" of bin Laden. Libya, Iran and Syria - countries usually regarded by the West as Middle East "rogue states" - have strongly denounced the attacks. Libya's leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi, the target of American bomb strikes in 1986 and the man suspected of ordering the bombing of the Pan Am aircraft over Lockerbie in 1988, has been largely rehabilitated. Now he has offered condolences. "Everyone should put human considerations above political differences and stances and offer aid to the victims of this gruesome act," he said. In the chorus of official Arab condemnation, Iraq stands out for its official gloating. Baghdad's state television described the carnage as the operation of the century. "The American cowboy is reaping the fruits of his crimes against humanity. "It is a black day in the history of America, which is tasting the bitter defeat of its crimes and disregard for peoples' will to lead a free, decent life," said a commentary. Western intelligence agencies will be scrutinising every scrap of information to see whether Saddam Hussein has had a hand in the attacks as a means of exacting revenge on America. Nevertheless, Iraq has in the past had close relations with Sudan and Yemen, where militants believed to be linked to bin Laden crippled an American warship in Aden in a suicide bombing last October. Bin Laden's network of a few thousand Islamic militants has become a kind of Islamic international brigade. It goes by the title of "International Islamic Front for Jihad against the Jews and Crusaders" and includes armed groups from Pakistan, Egypt, Kashmir and Bangladesh. It was forged in the war against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Many of the Afghan mujahideen received the support, weapons and finance of America's Central Intelligence Agency. But after the defeat of the Soviet Union, some of these "freedom fighters" turned against the West, in particular America. Bin Laden has said his priority is to expel US and other foreign forces from Saudi Arabia - "the land of the two Holy Places" - and to act as the catalyst for Islamic revival. http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/09/13/wbin13.xml ================================================================ Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT FROM THE DESK OF: *Michael Spitzer* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends ================================================================ <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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