Posted on 02/23/2006 5:56:36 PM PST by TVenn
WASHINGTON — The United States raised concerns with the United Arab Emirates seven years ago about possible ties between officials in that country and Osama bin Laden, according to a section of the Sept. 11 commission's report that details a possible missed opportunity to kill the al-Qaida leader.
Republicans and Democrats alike are raising concerns this week about the Bush administration's decision to let a UAE-operated company take over operations at six American ports, in part citing ties the Sept. 11 hijackers had to the Persian Gulf country.
President Bush has called the UAE a close partner on the war on terror since Sept. 11, and his aides have listed numerous examples of the country's help.
The Sept. 11 commission's report released last year also raised concerns UAE officials were directly associating with bin Laden as recently as 1999.
The report states U.S. intelligence believed that bin Laden was visiting an area in the Afghan desert in February 1999 near a hunting camp used by UAE officials, and that the U.S. military planned a missile strike.
Intelligence from local tribal sources indicated "bin Laden regularly went from his adjacent camp to the larger camp where he visited the Emiratis," the report said.
"National technical intelligence confirmed the location and description of the larger camp and showed the nearby presence of an official aircraft of the United Arab Emirates. But the location of bin Laden's quarters could not be pinned down so precisely," the report said.
The missile attack was never launched, and bin Laden moved on, the report said.
A month later, top White House counterterrorism official Richard Clarke "called a UAE official to express his concerns about possible associations between Emirati officials and bin Laden," the report said.
CIA officials hope to continue staking out the Afghan camp in hopes bin Laden would return and a possible strike could be launched.
But "imagery confirmed that less than a week after Clarke's phone call, the camp was hurriedly dismantled and the site was deserted," the report said.
CIA officials were "irate" and "thought the dismantling of the camp erased a possible site for targeting bin Laden, the report said.
At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee Thursday, Sen. Carl Levin, the ranking Democrat, asked Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt if he was aware of the 9-11 commission's assertion that the United Arab Emirates represents "a persistent counterterrorism problem"for the United States.
Kimmitt replied that administration figures involved in the decision to approve the deal "looked very carefully" at information from the intelligence community.
"Any time a foreign-government controlled company comes in," Kimmitt said, "the intelligence assessment is of both the country and the company."
"Just raise your hand if anybody talked to the 9-11 commission," Levin told the administration representatives at the witness table. Nobody raised a hand. Subscribe to the paper for less than thirty cents a day! Email this storyPrinter friendly format
Absolutely NO mention of who was President when the missed chance to get the tallest man in Afghanistan occurred.
But, but, but,,, Rush never mentioned this...or the editorial in the New York Post either. I thought he was researching this. Must have slipped his mind as it has many here.
JEDI.
Also Japan attacked us some time ago.
The Arab street is playing both sides of the fence and our politicians are wearing blinders. Maybe our politicians can't help but love the Arab street for the money paid to our politicians?
Since up is down, and down is up, I've decided to not trust any of the politicians in DC.
What next, "Mexico in charge of U.S. border security"?
Understandable.
You mean they aren't?
Could have fooled me!
What next, "Mexico in charge of U.S. border security"?""
Right along with:
O J Simpson in charge of batter women's facilities
Ted Kennedy in charge of driving schools, particularly around water.
ETC
reply to #8 TVenn
But the big high probability day of Osama's terror strike is April 1st. Not only is it April fool's day, but it is "mission accomplished day" as well.
Lou Dobbs had a report tonight that disputes the administration's contention that the operating company has no part in security. His report pointed out that the operating company takes over security once the ship's cargo is unloaded onto the dock. The security arrangements, according to the report, are classified. Presumably, these arrangements would have to be shared with the operating company. It is ridiculous to claim that a few days of vetting are sufficient to okay this company to operate the ports and to be given access to secret security arrangements.
One expert on the Dobbs report pointed out that an individual doesn't get a security clearance until at least a year and a half of close scrutiny of his or her past.
The Bush administration can't possibly claim that there's nothing to worry about. After 9-11, that is an assertion the American people are not likely to believe.
I'd say that AP is r e a l l y s t r e a c h i n g it. This was 1999, a time when even Bill Clinton didn't want to nab Bin Laden. Also, it's circumstantial evidence at best. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that someone in our own State Department tipped off the Afghans.
No one can point to any UAE activity since 9/11 that has aided anti-American terrorism.
"Also Japan attacked us some time ago."
LOL!
What have they done SINCE 9/11? Clark called them, then it sounds like they pretty much kicked him out.
And not just anyone on the 9/11 commission, but one of their key witnesses...that terrorist expert extraordinaire...Richard Clarke.
"Presumably, these arrangements would have to be shared with the operating company. It is ridiculous to claim that a few days of vetting are sufficient to okay this company to operate the ports and to be given access to secret security arrangements."
I believe it's been more than just a "few days of vetting." Do you know that this company operates ports all over the world, including Australia (a terrorist target)? Do you think the US is the only country with classified security arrangements? Do you think the UAE company became so well established by leaking these arrangements? Do you realize that it's American union workers carrying out this work? Do you realize that it still will be even after the deal goes through?
No one can claim that there's "nothing to worry about" (and Bush never said this, of course) no matter WHO takes over the job of managing our ports.
"intelligence assessment"
I hardly think the term applies to anyone at this moment, No matter what side of the house floor...
The UAE deal is a BAD decision....all across the board.
Someone is making a boatload of cash somewhere, and I can say it sure is NOT me.
I wish this whole bad dream would just, go away....
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