Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Frederick Langford who wrote (41039)	10/15/2001 4:23:22 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

In Afghanistan, money is thicker than blood!! American Special Forces may stage a commando raid inside Afghanistan as early as this week. It would, however, likely be limited to gathering intelligence, not trying to kill or capture Osama bin Laden. Still, senior military officials are already plotting the quickest and most efficient way to capture Osama Bin Laden. Some Pentagon officials belief that they are concerned that bin Laden is not hiding in a cave but in the squalid slums of a city like Kandahar. In such a case it may be not the weapons but a huge payment that wil revela his position.The most effective weapon against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden won't necessarily be the latest piece of space-age millitary kit — or awesome fighting skills. One of the best ways to find Osama bin Laden may be a well-placed bribe.The CIA is reportedly trying to pay-off local war lords to turn against the Taliban and guide the Americans to bin Laden's lair. The key to the whole operation — recruiting local tribesmen, dividing the Taliban and splitting up tight-knit cells in bin Laden's al-Qaeda network — could be a secret stash of cash and gold sewn into the linings of US special forces jackets. These US special forces units such as the Seals, Green Berets and the US 101st Airborne Division will bribe anyone on the ground in Afghanistan. Armed with up to $50,000 and dozens of gold nuggets tucked away in their waterproofs, they will recruit a small army of spies, guides, and fighters. This tactic is perfect for Afghanistan—likened by intelligence sources to the badlands of old cowboy movies, where anything and anyone has their price. ``The only two things that move the Taliban tribal leaders -- religion and money,'' a former high ranking Pakistani military officer quipped. Even bin Laden himself has tried to motivate the people by offering a $50,000 bounty for every US soldier they kill. The logic behind this strategy is simple, one source close to US special forces said “ You have what they don't — money or gold — and they have what you need — more information, access to Bin Laden etc.” “Our men on the ground will need to recruit tribesmen who know all the mountain caves, the secret network of underground tunnels. Dollars, gold nuggets or coins, can get men alongside you to fight the Taleban.” The US Special Forces know more about operating inside Afghanistan than the US Governments ever dare admit in public. That is because, according to US sources, units such as Delta Force have been working inside the country for long periods over the last three years—tracking bin Laden. But up-to-the-minute information on his whereabouts and fighting capabilities requires the high-risk reconnaisance missions currently underway. The teams include intelligence specialists, snipers, linguists—speaking the most popular languages in Afghanistan, Pashtu and Dari—explosives experts, and "snatch and grab" specialists who honed their skills picking off Serbian warlords in the Balkans. They are now ready to pounce once they get the green light from the Pentagon. Units will attempt to take alive a number of key individuals believed to be linked to bin Laden and al—Qaeda. They will be picked up in snatch raids, helicoptered to secured Special Forces camps inside Afghanistan and grilled for everything they know. Any documents they have will be taken along with their clothes. This authentic Afghan or Taliban gear will then be used by soldiers or agents working undercover. If bin Laden is spotted, small units of highly-trained special forces can be inserted nearby, in the next phase of the campaign. And though the Pentagon is being tight-lipped about the movements of these warriors, some operators are probably already stationed at remote bases along the Afghan border in Pakistan and Uzbekistan, as well as aboard the carrier Kitty Hawk in the Arabian Sea.