This is *exactly* what created Bin Laden in the first place - "give those Afghans weapons and support, and point them at the big evil communist"...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Uh, no it wasn't. Bin Laden isn't Afghan. He went to Afghanistan of his own free will to fight the Soviets. He had Holy War on his mind long before he decided we were the enemy.
This pretty much contradicts anything I have read on Bin laden yet. I'll try to provide some links, but I'm pretty sure that CIA supporting the Taliban opposing the soviet invaders is taken as a fact.
Bye,
RazzFazz</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yea see that's the problem. It should be taken as "taken as a fact". The Taliban didn't gain until after the Soviets left and their main support came from Pakistan.
This is what I know: The US collaborated with the pakistani secret service in recruting mujahedin fighters all over the muslim world, Bin Laden was one of those.
At a point in time Bin Ladens forces where given a gift of several hi-tech sniper rifles as a token of gratitude for their contribution to the fight against the soviets.
[QB]This is what I know: The US collaborated with the pakistani secret service in recruting mujahedin fighters all over the muslim world, Bin Laden was one of those./QB]<hr></blockquote>
So bin Laden was contacted by the Pakistanis or did he learn of "jihad" on his own and then travel to Pakistan?
To bring this thread back, it looks even more likely that Iraq is indeed going to be next. Check <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20020228-67420280.htm" target="_blank">this article for more information</a>. We may not bomb them, but we are looking at ways to remove Saddam from power.
The fact that he was left in power there is incredible. I realize that Geroge Bush Senior accomplished what he set out to in the Gulf War, but he should have taken that one little step further and removed Saddam while he was at it. The Republican Guard was decimated, Saddam was on the run, and we had all the troops there already. Now we have to go back and finish it after Saddam has had time to see what mistakes he had made, and possibly has had time to come up with some more nasty chemicals to thorw at our armed forces.
GWB Jr. Don't wimp out, if you go in fisnish what you start or we will have to pay for your mistakes later too.
Iraq's forces are making preparations for a U.S. military strike, according to U.S. intelligence officials. The Iraqis appear to be taking seriously President Bush's recent identification of Baghad as constituting part of an "axis of evil" for its support for international terrorism and its development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
According to the officials, satellite photographs have revealed that Iraqi military forces have begun building "berms" ? earthen barriers ? around key military facilities and equipment. The construction is a clear indication that the Iraqis believe a U.S. military strike is imminent.<hr></blockquote>
Comments
<strong>
This is *exactly* what created Bin Laden in the first place - "give those Afghans weapons and support, and point them at the big evil communist"...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Uh, no it wasn't. Bin Laden isn't Afghan. He went to Afghanistan of his own free will to fight the Soviets. He had Holy War on his mind long before he decided we were the enemy.
<strong>
So your proposed solution would be?
What would you propose to do with it's land and people?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I asked a question about the Palestinian authority's ability to police itself. We can discuss possible solutions when my question is answered.
[ 12-08-2001: Message edited by: roger_ramjet ]</p>
<strong>
This pretty much contradicts anything I have read on Bin laden yet. I'll try to provide some links, but I'm pretty sure that CIA supporting the Taliban opposing the soviet invaders is taken as a fact.
Bye,
RazzFazz</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yea see that's the problem. It should be taken as "taken as a fact". The Taliban didn't gain until after the Soviets left and their main support came from Pakistan.
At a point in time Bin Ladens forces where given a gift of several hi-tech sniper rifles as a token of gratitude for their contribution to the fight against the soviets.
[QB]This is what I know: The US collaborated with the pakistani secret service in recruting mujahedin fighters all over the muslim world, Bin Laden was one of those./QB]<hr></blockquote>
So bin Laden was contacted by the Pakistanis or did he learn of "jihad" on his own and then travel to Pakistan?
GWB Jr. Don't wimp out, if you go in fisnish what you start or we will have to pay for your mistakes later too.
<a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,3-222284,00.html" target="_blank">Support is mounting, slowly...</a>
<strong>Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for you Sadam.
<a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,3-222284,00.html" target="_blank">Support is mounting, slowly...</a></strong><hr></blockquote>
The rest of America's European allies are increasingly irrelevant.
Iraq is beginning to worry openly...
[quote] Iraq fortifies
Iraq's forces are making preparations for a U.S. military strike, according to U.S. intelligence officials. The Iraqis appear to be taking seriously President Bush's recent identification of Baghad as constituting part of an "axis of evil" for its support for international terrorism and its development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
According to the officials, satellite photographs have revealed that Iraqi military forces have begun building "berms" ? earthen barriers ? around key military facilities and equipment. The construction is a clear indication that the Iraqis believe a U.S. military strike is imminent.<hr></blockquote>
<a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,13-236335,00.html" target="_blank">http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,13-236335,00.html</a>
Nuff said
Yeah, we should just let Iraq do whatever they want. It's not like they can't be trusted!