Albright: I Don't Know Why Clinton Turned Down Bin Laden Deal

[Free ThinkerNY]

NewsMax.com

Sunday Feb. 9, 2003

Albright: I Don't Know Why Clinton Turned Down Bin Laden Deal--

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Sunday that she couldn't explain why ex-president Bill Clinton turned down a deal with the government of Sudan to take Osama bin Laden into custody seven years ago. But she admitted that, "obviously, in hindsight, one would wish that some other action had been taken."

Albright feigned ignorance of the Clinton-bin Laden extradition deal during the following exchange with NBC "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert:

RUSSERT: In May of 1996 under pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia, the Sudanese government asked bin Laden to leave. He returned to Afghanistan permanently..... Was it a mistake to let Osama bin Laden leave Sudan - or at least not apprehend him in Qatar on his way to Afghanistan?

ALBRIGHT: As I understand it, and I was ambassador to the U.N. at the time, was that basically we felt that he was too intricately involved with some of the activities in Sudan, which was a major issue for us. And that it was better to get him out of there.

Obviously, in hindsight, one would wish that some other action had been taken. But, for the most part, that was a decision made on the basis of information at that time, that he was playing the terrorist game there and that there had in fact been terrorist activity. As you know, there was an attempt on President Mubarak's life that came out of that area. And that it was probably better to move (bin Laden) out.

RUSSERT: But why not capture him, apprehend him while he was refueling in Qatar?

ALBRIGHT: I can't answer that question. (End of excerpt)

While Ms. Albright claims she doesn't know the answer to that question, Mr. Russert certainly does - though he declined to challenge her. But in fact, in May 1996, ex-President Clinton gave the order not to take bin Laden into custody, a blunder he confessed in a speech to a Long Island, N.Y. business group last year.

"Mr. bin Laden used to live in Sudan. He was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1991, then he went to Sudan," Clinton told the Long Island Association in on Feb. 15, 2002.

"And we'd been hearing that the Sudanese wanted America to start dealing with them again. They released him. At the time, 1996, he had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here because we had no basis on which to hold him, though we knew he wanted to commit crimes against America."

Clinton continued:

"So I pleaded with the Saudis to take him, 'cause they could have. But they thought it was a hot potato and they didn't and that's how he wound up in Afghanistan." (End of Excerpt)

Though Mr. Clinton's confession has been widely covered in such high profile venues as the Fox News Channel's "O'Reilly Factor," "Hannity & Colmes," WOR Radio's "The Bob Grant Show" and, just the night before Albright' protested her ignorance, WABC Radio's "Batchelor & Alexander Show," network news organizations like Russert's NBC News have embargoed coverage of the bombshell development. ( Click Here to listen to Bill Clinton admit that he let bin Laden off the hook.)

The big media cover-up has allowed New York Sen. Hillary Clinton to escape confrontation on the issue of her husband's blunder. And two weeks ago, in an interview with WLIE Radio's Mike Siegel, she tried to blame President Bush for "mishandling" North Korea and for not stopping Osama bin Laden before 9/11.

[Sacajaweau]

I just love Albright as she rambles and disagrees with what she herself said two minutes ago.

[SpaceBar]

This drivel brought to you by the same woman who was wined and dined by Kim Jong Il and posed with him in press photos like he was a cuddly little teddy bear.

[clintonh8r]

Anybody else see her? The old hag could barely form a coherent sentence. Still harping on Al Qaeda and North Korea, as if it's impossible for us to do more than one thing at a time. Of course, Russert never challenged her on that.

[PetroniDE]

I do know this: whatever reason(s) Albright gives, those are NOT the reason(s).

[aristeides]

Did anybody ask Albright why Clinton, in Aug. '98 after the embassy bombings, bombed the aspirin factory in the Sudan and bin Laden's camps in Afghanistan in a way that derailed Sudanese cooperation with the U.S. in the investigation of the embassy bombings and also derailed the negotiations that had been going on between Saudi Arabia and the Taliban for the extradition of bin Laden from Afghanistan?

[Station 51]

Mr. bin Laden used to live in Sudan. He was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1991,

Clinton could have nabbed bin Laden as early as 1991 when he was expelled from Saudi.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

While Ms. Albright claims she doesn't know the answer to that question, Mr. Russert certainly does - though he declined to challenge her. But in fact, in May 1996, ex-President Clinton gave the order not to take bin Laden into custody, a blunder he confessed in a speech to a Long Island, N.Y. business group last year.

Clinton's 8 years were full of blunders, lies, and crimes.

His Cabinet resembled a circus side show of midgets, perverts and other assorted scum........like the bar scene in STAR WARS.

[Sacajaweau]

When are these broads, Albright, Reno etc. going to learn they were Clinton's pawns and nothing more.

[Paraclete]

Albright is an ugly *no 'pun' intended* reminder of why the world is in such a precarious position.

[Balata]

After seeing Russerts' softball interview with Hillary Clinton, his performance today doesn't surprise me. Russert has dropped the ball many times.

[Benrand]

Of course she knows why they didn't get him, it was because George Bush, the like worst President EVER, wanted to go to Iraq for Iraq's oil and to kill Iraqi children.

[Mo1]

The big media cover-up has allowed New York Sen. Hillary Clinton to escape confrontation on the issue of her husband's blunder. And two weeks ago, in an interview with WLIE Radio's Mike Siegel, she tried to blame President Bush for "mishandling" North Korea and for not stopping Osama bin Laden before 9/11.

They also need to ask the Clinton's why they didn't let the Iraqi Opposition take out Saddam when there was a chance

Instead .. Clinton went after the CIA Agents .. and who were later cleared of any wrong doing

[Free ThinkerNY]

The Real Clinton Legacy

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

First Cohen, now Albright. I'm sitting here shaking my head in amazement at how these people are surprised by the actions, or inactions, of their former boss. Maybe it's finally beginning to sink in to their thought processes as to why the rest of us lowly citizens out here were so outraged at the concept of the Sinkmeister getting BJs from Monica while on the phone to congress critters and Senators. And that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface at Clinton's dereliction of duty to follow the Constitution.

[timydnuc]

Maddie was chosen by Clinton for her total incompetence for the job. His micromanagement of foriegn affairs was incomperable. Maddie Albright was just a pawn in Clinton's overall scheme of things. Clinton's total ineptness of handleing foriegn affairs got this country in severe trouble (we are working our way out of that now). To hide it he kept Maddie to get hit with the manure. Clinton is the worst of cheese bags, and his wife is a communist, and she's a senator from New York.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Klinton and Albright aren't competent to run a dozen-member college debating society. All they did was treat the government as their personal piggy bank and give goodies to any psychotic dictator that would wine them, dine them, and treat them like legitimate heads of state. And now they can't figure out why we're in such a foreign policy mess. Idiots.

[Sacajaweau]

Don't forget, Hillary and Bill discussed everything!!! and I'm sure we can find a quote saying she acted as his "most important" advisor.

So she sits in New York (crawls-snakes crawl)and of course now that she is on this big secret committe, she can't say a thing (except "everything that has/is happening is all Bush's fault").

[Mo1]

If someone in the Media had the balls to actually confront Hillary with facts, I'll bet she'll shut up really fast

Problem is .. NO ONE in the media will confront her, they just let her babble on with her BS

[Temple Owl]

Albright: I Don't Know Why Clinton Turned Down Bin Laden Deal--

My guess it was either for sex or money.

[woodyinscc]

"His Cabinet resembled a circus side show of midgets, perverts and other assorted scum........like the bar scene in STAR WARS."

The difference between the previous Cabinet is stark and readily discernable. I say let Albright make the entire circuit in defending the Clinton Adm. What better way to point out how much better off we are now?

[Doe Eyes]

Clinton could have nabbed bin Laden as early as 1991 when he was expelled from Saudi.

Not the sort of thing most Governors would attempt, but you never know.

[hgro]

"Maddie" had trouble knowing her ancestory much less what was happening day to day. This women is a klutz by any definition.

[wolf24]

Sarcasm button engaged?

[Mo1]

Maybe it's finally beginning to sink in to their thought processes as to why the rest of us lowly citizens out here were so outraged at the concept of the Sinkmeister getting BJs from Monica while on the phone to congress critters and Senators.

Naaaa ... they just don't want to take the blame for it .. cause they know Clinton will blame everyone beside himself for what happen

[Captain Beyond]

Yeah this is also the same woman that thinks it is bad for U.S. to be the only super power in the world. One sick puppy.

[woodyinscc]

"First Cohen, now Albright"

Two oxymorons!!!
Albright-Powell
Cohen-Rumsfeld

[yianni]

...as if it's impossible for us to do more than one thing at a time.

It is impossible for the diplohag to do more than one thing at a time.

[Sacajaweau]

I just think Hillary will use her new little job as an excuse for not answering questions. She said it was an important job because she would know what she was talking about (that's pretty mush a quote).

Somewhere, somehow, she's going to "leak" something which will have serious consequences. She simply can't be trusted.

[Benrand]

Forgot to close my <,CSPAN seminar caller> tags

[timestax]

Everything connected to the clintoons is just plain sickening!

[Mo1]

Somewhere, somehow, she's going to "leak" something which will have serious consequences. She simply can't be trusted.

I agree

[Sacajaweau]

Didn't she "discover" she was Jewish, too??? Maybe she's related to Kerry....or they use the same genealogist. (have to check on that).

[Bigg Red]

Ah, yes, Madeline Half-Bright, the Affirmative Action hire for Secretary of State...

Qualifications: Willing and able to lie and obfuscate for Ix-42 forever.

[Bigg Red]

Of course, Russert never challenged her on that.


Which is why I have never watched Russert since his interview with Hitlery, the softball fest of all time. Prior to that show, I never missed his program.

[Bigg Red]

Clinton could have nabbed bin Laden as early as 1991 when he was expelled from Saudi.

I think you're forgetting that the slimeball didn't beginn infesting the WH until '93. (I know, the reign of horror seemed a lot longer than 8 years.)

[JoeSixPack1]

Problem is .. NO ONE in the media will confront her, they just let her babble on with her BS

No one in the media is allowed near her without pre-approved topics of discussion. She doesn't give interviews. But she will rehearse one for you for cash.

[Bigg Red]

Brilliant graphic!

[bigjoesaddle]

This is actually a pretty big deal. One of Clinton's people refused to cover his ass! Much different than Reno's "the buck stops here" comment, covering up Clintoon's order to go into Waco. Albright laid it all on Clinton. (and don't think she wont hear from Bill or Hill before the day is over).

[Amerigomag]

While Ms. Albright claims she doesn't know the answer to that question

Newsmax might be bettered served to read their own copy.

Albright responded: "I can't answer that question".

You bet see can't answer that question .. while Clinton is alive.

[Theresawithanh]

"Albright feigned ignorance of the Clinton-bin Laden extradition deal..."

She wasn't feigning anything, she IS ignorant. Not too many people know that we could've had Bin Laden in 1996, at least not the libs I talk to about it. They're too busy reminiscing over the "great Clinton presidency". Horse Pucky!

[2timothy3.16]

bump to the top

[gusopol3]

I was gonna say, the Ark State Troopers were actually better at apprehending other types of individuals for their boss's attention.

[AlGone2001]

This is AlGone's belief: Clinton knew that having Osama bin Laden would lead to terror againstthe U.S.

Clinton knew that acts of terror (at the 9/11 size) require military action.

This causes a major problem for the most prideful man in the world. He is seeking the Nobel Peace Prize, and going to war doesn't meet the requirements for the prize.

Clinton's pride and desire for a stupid little trophy placed all of us at risk.

We all found out that at the end of his presidency he was sending teams out to lobby for the prize.

Bill Clinton is the prime cause of the 9/11 horror. You trolls over at DUh can chew on that and live with it. We have had to.

[Station 51]

I think you're forgetting that the slimeball didn't beginn infesting the WH until '93. (I know, the reign of horror seemed a lot longer than 8 years.)

Damn, you are right. I wonder why bin Laden was not on Bush's radar back in 1991. Even the Saudis' knew he was bad news.

[Dante3]

Albright is both dishonest and incredibly stupid. No wonder she was mistaken for a cleaning lady.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Right... The title of this thread is rather misleading. "I can't answer" is not the same as "I don't know". In fact, she knows, but can't say.

[cubreporter]

Is she a relative of helin tomis??

[Paleo Conservative]

Clinton could have nabbed bin Laden as early as 1991 when he was expelled from Saudi.

Check your dates. Clinton was not president in 1991.

[Arkinsaw]

She doesn't know why? She must be ignorant. Has she never heard of Bosnia?