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| Arabia |
| Soddies suspect Binny might be losing control of al-Qaeda |
| 2005-12-10 |
| Saudi Arabia suspects Osama bin Laden might be losing some control of his al Qaeda terrorist network, said the new Saudi ambassador in Washington. "For the last year, we have been developing an impression that bin Laden is not what he used to be," Ambassador Prince Turki al-Faisal told reporters at the Saudi Embassy this week. Prince Turki said bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, appears to be positioning himself to take over the network if bin Laden dies or is incapacitated. Al-Zawahri this week issued a videotape in which he said bin Laden is alive and in charge. "Zawahri has been clearly showing the world that, if he is not No. 1, he would be No. 1 should bin Laden disappear," the ambassador said. Prince Turki, a former head of Saudi intelligence who knew bin Laden, said his government thinks the terrorist leader is alive and still plotting attacks. The ambassador said he thinks bin Laden ordered the London subway bombings in July. "Bin Laden is still capable of issuing orders and having them carried out," Prince Turki said. The ambassador said both men will be a threat to the Western world and to Saudi Arabia as long as they remain at large. "Bin Laden has to be captured. Zawahri has to be captured. The longer they are uncaptured, the stronger the aura of invincibility they acquire," he said. Prince Turki explained that one of his top priorities as ambassador is to improve the image of Saudi Arabia in the United States, where some members of Congress and some foreign policy analysts have accused the kingdom of supporting terrorism and abusing human rights. "I've come here to try to expand and improve relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia," he said, adding that he has been well-received "at all levels" of the U.S. government. "The United States has an image problem in the Arab world. We Saudis have an image problem in the United States," he said. The Bush administration put Saudi Arabia on a list of countries with religious intolerance. "That has made us more determined to show the United States we should not be on that list," Prince Turki said. "If we had similar lists in Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be surprised if the United States would be on a list for some issue." Prince Turki, who presented his diplomatic credentials to President Bush last week, said he got some advice from King Abdullah on how to deal with the straight-talking Texan. The king most recently met with Mr. Bush at his Crawford, Texas, ranch in April. "Before I left Saudi Arabia, I asked his majesty how to deal with President Bush. He said, 'Just be open with him,' " the ambassador said. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #7 Actions speak louder than words. |
| Posted by: doc 2005-12-10 18:48 |
| #6 Saudi Arabia suspects Osama bin Laden might be losing some control of his al Qaeda terrorist network, said the new Saudi ambassador in Washington. Apparently the princelings are assuming more hands-on control? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-12-10 18:39 |
| #5 "The United States has an image problem in the Arab world. We Saudis have an image problem in the United States," he said. It's a positive development that they are beginning to realize that it cuts both ways. Heed the American Street, byotch! |
| Posted by: BH 2005-12-10 14:53 |
| #4 Prince Turki explained that one of his top priorities as ambassador is to improve the image of Saudi Arabia in the United States, where some members of Congress and some foreign policy analysts have accused the kingdom of supporting terrorism and abusing human rights. Translation: "They're on to us!!" |
| Posted by: DMFD 2005-12-10 11:13 |
| #3 I agree with C-low here. Zark is the eminent threat. Zark does not seem to have any larger plan or vision other than to destroy the western world. |
| Posted by: 49 pan 2005-12-10 11:13 |
| #2 "For the last year, we have been developing an impression that bin Laden is not what he used to be," Ambassador Prince Turki al-Faisal told reporters at the Saudi Embassy this week. Decomposition does that... |
| Posted by: Ol Dirty American 2005-12-10 10:13 |
| #1 I think we should concentrate on killing Zarwahiri that guy is smart and dangerous. Zark would be pushed even further up the line and he maybe a great foot soldgeir with his emotional dicisions and blood lust but in leadership letting that emotion enter the decision making process cost you and cost you big time. Bin Laden if he isnt dead he must be pretty weak no videos or even a audio tape to speak of for a long time now. |
| Posted by: C-Low 2005-12-10 01:28 |