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

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (43751)	3/12/2003 7:31:25 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

ISI ‘not close’ to arresting Osama * Says clues from Khalid Shaikh may lead to Qaeda chief’s arrest By Rana Qaisar dailytimes.com.pk ISI ‘not close’ to arresting Osama * Says clues from Khalid Shaikh may lead to Qaeda chief’s arrest By Rana Qaisar ISLAMABAD: Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials on Wednesday dismissed reports appearing in the foreign media that they (the ISI) were close to nabbing Osama bin Laden. In an unprecedented briefing to senior Pakistani journalists at the ISI Headquarters here, the officials, who did not disclose their names, said there were no clues so far that Osama was hiding anywhere in Pakistan. “To the best of our assessment, he is not in Pakistan,” they said responding to a question. Such reports were mind-boggling, as no intelligence agency would make anything public about its operation(s) before any achievement, they added. They said that during the joint interrogations by the ISI and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Khalid Mohamad Shaikh had given conflicting information about Osama. “His information is being analyzed. There may some strong hints which could lead to Osama’s arrest,” they said in an indirect reference to independent analysis that the walls are closing in on Osama. The BBC has reported Osama’s arrest by the ISI. “All operations inside Pakistan are being conducted by our own intelligence and law-enforcement agencies and if there is any such thing, we are the first to know,” the officials said in response to such reports. They made it clear that the FBI men were providing required information and assistance in tracking down Al-Qaeda elements as they (the FBI) had the best available equipment to intercept communications. “The suspects are grilled jointly by the FBI and the ISI.” About the concerns of FBI’s presence in Pakistan with highly sophisticated spying equipment, the officials said: “We know how to protect our vital national secrets and we are alive to protect our national interests.” They also dismissed that Khalid Mohamad Shaikh was a Pakistani national. “He belongs to one of the Arabian countries and studied in the United States.” About the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)’s alleged links with Qaeda, they said: “Jamaat-e-Islami as a party is not linked with Qaeda. However, there may be some individuals who sympathize with Qaeda.” They also informed of the ISI’s joint and independent operations against terrorists all over the world.

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (43751)	3/12/2003 8:46:44 PM
From: HighTech	Respond to of 50167

Interesting thoughts! Hey, is that picture of you a recent one? HT

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (43751)	3/13/2003 2:13:40 AM
From: BubbaFred	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50167

Ike - That's one very optimistic hope and full of self contraditions. A more likely scenario is the break up of Iraq, vis-a-vis former Yugoslavia, rather than a confederacy. The coup d'etat by Saddam's army, as you described, may be the best solution and hope for a confederacy, however shortlived it may be. The new confederate government may be good for a handful of years unless the new strong man is the second coming of Saddam. Without Saddam II the various tribes (Kurds and Shi'ites) would want their independent control of their respective territories and keep the oil wealth and other natural resources for themselves.