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Arabia
Bin Laden’s letter found on deader
2003-06-03
A hand-written letter, believed to have been sent by Osama bin Laden, was found on a terror suspect killed by Saudi security forces late on Saturday, a newspaper has reported. The bloodstained letter was found on the body of Yousuf Saleh Fahd Al-Ayeeri, killed in a shootout with police in the northern province of Hail. It was signed by bin Laden and dated six months ago, Al-Watan newspaper said.
Faxed copy, or an original?
It was addressed to a person whose name was covered in blood and could not be identified, the report added.
FBI document examiners can uncover the name if they get a chance. Also be nice to see if there are any prints left on it.
The blood must have really been caked on thick — on both sides of the paper. I'm not buying that story real cheap...
Bin Laden sent the recipient his congratulations on Eid Al-Fitr, the Muslim feast that follows the fasting month of Ramadan, which fell last November, and noted the "achievements of the cells" run by the unidentified person. Two Saudi security men were also killed and at least two others wounded in the shootout with Ayeeri and a second gunman, who was later arrested. Ayeeri was one of 19 men Saudi authorities have been hunting since they uncovered a secret cell belonging to the al-Qaeda terror network. According to Al-Watan, Ayeeri had a belt with explosives wrapped around his body.
Didn't get a chance to use it.
Posted by:Steve

#4  mjh - That's why I was thinking 'plant', in order for one member of the royalty to screw another.

Backstabbing is an old Arab tradition, isn't it?
Posted by: Raj   2003-06-03 15:26:27  

#3  Rather than a planted letter, my initial read is that the blood covered name is that of one of the many Saudi royal family members who supports Al Qaeda.

Given Saudi's shitty history of cooperation with the FBI, I doubt we'll be getting a look.
Posted by: mjh   2003-06-03 13:02:08  

#2  Letters, tapes. Pictures, yahoos! We want physical proof he's not worm food. None of this "Weekend at Bernie's " shit either.
Posted by: tu3031   2003-06-03 10:38:03  

#1  That letter has 'plant' written all over it.

"Covered in blood" - Another Islamic TraditionTM.
Posted by: Raj   2003-06-03 10:30:12  

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