[Bounceback]

"Let's all call it an accident. It's plausible isn't it? It will infuriate Ben Laden if he is responsible. If another "accident" occurs next week, then the least of our worries will be looking foolish."

Ah, but what if it was an accident, and then Bin Ladin claims responsibility. Our government's dilemma is that it will be damned if it does or damned if it does not declare this an accident.

[Time Traveller]

I think Laden would have to claim responsibility right now to put our Government on the defensive. If he waits until after the U.S. government constructs a plausible argument he didn't, they can just call him a liar. Also, to have any credibility Laden would have to say exactly how it was done, not just claim responsibility.