France warning tipped off terrorists, say U.S. officials

Washington Times ^ | 12/17/03 | From combined dispatches

[He Rides A White Horse]

four americans

Undoubtably with American names such as Mustafa, Salim, Yassir, and Mohammed.

[alrea]

U.S. investigators still want to speak with a small number of people in Paris who failed to show up for flights to Los Angeles

Maybe it's time to go back into France.

[Miss Marple]

You know, although I don't think supporting terrorists is the OFFICIAL French policy, I have been thinking for some timeabout Chirac's attitude leading up to the war in Iraq.

The usual thing we talk about is oil contracts and illegal weapons sales to Saddam by French companies. However, everyone already knew about French ties to Iraq and these two things do not explain Chirac's absolute desperation to stop us from going into Iraq.

What explains Chirac's desperation and almost panic?

The only thing I could come up with that would explain it was that the French knew about 9/11 and purposely didn't alert us, or even worse, participated in the planning.

I don't like to think this, but you must admit Chirac's behavior was decidedly odd. The Russians didn't behave as badly, nor did the Germans. Something odd about France, I think.

[JamminJAY]

But do you really think that french intelligence would be ready to help AQ?

have they surrendered to them yet?

Jammer

[He Rides A White Horse]

....or maybe Hillary, Bill, Howard, and Dick.

[WestTexasWend]

But wasn't it France that put the shoe-bomber back on a plane after "extensive questioning"?

The Inspector Clouseau image seems to fit this latest incident...at least for now.

[SuziQ]

But do you really think that french intelligence would be ready to help AQ

French 'intelligence' may not want to help AQ, but some maroon let the story out, and tipped the hand of the potential hijackers. Maybe the US didn't explicitly ask the folks with whom they were dealing in France NOT to make it public, but anyone with any sense at all would understand that you don't let a suspect know you're on the trail! SOMEONE in France made the info public. It would be interesting to find out just WHO DID!

[CWOJackson]

I don't rule that out because France has long be treacherous, and if those suspicions were ever proven I hope we would put a serious hurting on France.

On the other hand, I think it was more a political and financial move of desperation. Since the formation of the EU, France has been jockeying for the co-leadership position with Germany. Europe has been anti-American for a very long time, except when they need someone to bail their sorry third rate asses out of a bind. I think France was simply trying to capitalize on anti-Americanism and lead the grandstanding...presenting the image that they are in charge.

At the same time, France and Germany's economy's were in a shambles before 9/11. This was hurting their jockeying within the EU. Following 9/11 I think France figured they had two choices in regards to their economy...take the limited flak from us and England by opposing us (while capitalizing on the political side) or run the risk of loosing their lucrative middle east contracts. NOW THAT IS WHERE/WHY I think they've been helping the fundamentalists since 9/11. If the fundamentalists win France will be repaid handsomely in the middle east.

They just forgot who they were dealing with...not Clinton and not some stupid cowboy.

[Semper911]

a French attempt to extend the terms of its old partners-in-terrorism deal.

You have made a very interesting point. I think you are spot on.

[pctech]

The French may have twarted the hijackings, but they did nothing to help us capture the alleged perpetrators. They are still on the side of terrorists and should be treated as hostile to american interests. If that be the case then their county is the next one we should invade!

[TexasCowboy]

"the GIGN is made up of 350 elite men and women."

Putting the French in charge of counter terrorists activities is like putting Michael Jackson in charge of a home for children.
The French security forces are about as "elite" as a Mickey Mouse Fan Club.

Been there.
Have you?

[BurtS188]

The french really get under my skin.

I know, I know. Not the most earth shattering post but I had to say it.

[Imal]

"...we have a sizable fifth column in this country..."

While I am not privy to the details, I am pretty sure most of the "fifth column" are being watched.

Through these relatively overt people and their activities, connections to their secret counterparts can be found with surprising frequency, usually by following the flow of money they raise for their nefarious causes. Decades of operations in pursuing the War on Drugs have given federal law enforcement extensive experience in conducting such investigations and defeating money-laundering schemes of all kinds.

Thus, unwittingly, America's fifth column may actually be one of the most powerful counterterrorism tools we have.

The irony is so thick it can be cut with a knife.

In this case, I am forced to wonder whether or not the French are assisting us in using a fleeing terrorist strike team to track down their masters. Once the eyes of U.S. intelligence are upon someone, it is extremely difficult for them to disappear.

Time will tell, perhaps.

[aruanan]

    Washington believed that the longer publicity could have been avoided, "the greater the chance to catch anybody else who was suspected of being involved," he said. "The French announcement caught everyone off guard."

I guess we need to look at the background of those who made this announcement or who caused it to be made.

[gdc61]

don't waste your time, he's got no sourse, just that frenchy-french smell.

[gdc61]

oh, how convenient to forget the French polls that showed a majority of the french wanted iraq to win the war.

[ought-six]

I swear the French are on the side of the Islamonazis. They are too quick to screw up security and intelligence operations.

[ought-six]

"But do you really think that french intelligence would be ready to help AQ?"

Some elements with French Intelligence not only helped, but worked alongside, the Algerian insurrectionists against France in the 1950s and early 1960s. I don't trust the French at all. They've proved themselves, over and over again, to be untrustworthy quislings with a HUGE inferiority complex.

[ought-six]

The French have a very strong aversion to soap and water and deodorant, for whatever reason. But it's still a fact. I knew a girl from France when I was in college, and she was a very cute girl, but she had the worst b.o. I've ever encountered -- and I've been around!

[Dark Wing]

Here is your "flaming datum."