Is bin Laden Dead?
Noted by Locusta emersonia, on September 23rd, 2006 at 1:38 am and promoted from the comments section of the front page: “Appently, Osama ben Laden is dead.”
According to All Headline News
French Newspaper: Osama Bin Laden Is Dead
September 23, 2006 8:03 a.m. EST
Som Patidar – All Headline News Staff Writer
Paris, France (AHN) – Referring to a document of French Foreign Intelligence Service (DGSE), a regional French newspaper reported Saturday that the Saudi secret services had proved that Al Qaeda head and the world’s most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden is dead.
Quoting unnamed Saudi police sources, the newspaper said Osama Bin Laden died in Pakistan on August 23 of typhoid fever.
“According to a usually reliable source, the Saudi services are now convinced that Osama bin Laden is dead,” the intelligence service’s document reads.
On the other hand, Pakistani authorities said they do not have any information about Osama’s death.
French defense authorities said said the news cannot be confirmed.
No loss to the world there – do you suppose it is true?
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I’ll wait and see on this, for the obvious reason that we’ve heard it before. Like here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1725485.stm
If true, I’d agree that there is no loss to the world. But also little gain to the world in that nothing much will change.
Well, it appears the French gov’t is now investigating the claim.
So if it turns out to be true who wants to bet there’ll be at least one Republican will claim that he was struck down by God for the evil deeds committed against the US?
I thought he had been dead for years. Why else would a leader hide for so long and not publicly regularly rally his troops; maybe he had been “deathly” ill for years. Who knows. Regardless, I hope this news helps bring closure for the very many families harmed by this man.
Periodic claims of his demise force him to periodically prove in some way that he is alive. Each time that happens there is a small risk his location might be compromised.
lrC is right on this one. Especially if his death is from illness rather than glorious martydom.
No, he’s still walking free in Pakistan. Typhiod fever? When his #2 is a doctor? They can access the equipment to make videos and the equipment to give this 6′5″ arab dialysis, but not anti-biotics to treat typhus?
Not bloody likely.
There has been no clear proof he was alive for years… merely a few fuzzy tapes that might have him, or someone like him, saying a few sentences – maybe. That was it.
An interesting thought IrC, the idea that this leak is actually a ruse to see if bin Laden bites is a reasonable one.
THe timing is interesting, as this “surprise” is awfully close to “October”, and “Karl Rove” has “promised” an “October Surprise”, according “to” some conservative blogs.
I think Bin Laden has been dead for years and that the US intel community has known it for years. It’s in the best interests of the intel community for the various would-be terrorists to sit around twiddling their thumbs awaiting instructions from their glorious leader. Besides, if it were known that he was dead, particularly if he had been killed by the Axle of Enlightenment ™, he would be a martyr, and more rioting and such would ensue.
I am sure this is a ruse. Think: who stands to benefit?
It’s obvious: bin Laden will now be eligible to donate to Joe Volpe’s campaign.
I’m thinking it’s a ruse. The Republicans desperately need an appearance by bin Laden to help them win in November.
Bin Laden’s way too old to donate to Volpe’s campaign, maybe if he’s got kids he can work something out…
You keep thinking Rubert. It’s what you’re good at….