'Chilling' Al Qaeda Memo Obtained (Zawahiri to Zarqawi: "Can you hear me now?")

CBS News ^ | Oct. 6, 2005 | CBS Broadcasting Inc.

[indcons]

The U.S. has obtained a 13-page letter written by Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al Zawahiri, to Abu Musab al Zarqawi in Iraq, outlining with what one senior official calls "chilling clarity" al Qaeda's stretagy for Iraq and beyond, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

The letter, which was written shortly after the London bombings in July, calls Iraq "the place for the greatest battle of Islam in this era."

Zarqawi is America's most-wanted insurgent in Iraq. Zawahiri, the man most intelligence analysts believe is the brains behind bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorist organization, is considered the world's second most wanted man.

As outlined by Zawahiri in the letter, al Qaeda's battle plan calls for driving the Americans out of Iraq, establishing an Islamic regime in as much of the country as possible and then extending the holy war to other Arab countries, including Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.

In the letter, Zawahari complains to Zarqawi that some of his violent tactics are hurting public support for al Qaeda's cause, particularly the videotaped beheadings of hostages.

[indcons]

Intersting news from CBS News (of all sources on the planet). Looks like Zawahiri has problems with communication and financial resources in Afghanistan/Pakistan. The differences of opinion between #2 and #3 are intriguing. I never thought Zawahiri had any love for Shiites himself.

[msf92497]

I bet they pulled it off the body of a room-temperature-assuming "Top Aid".

[Judith Anne]

This is actually GOOD news, to me. It means that we are absolutely correct to be in Iraq, and absolutely correct to stay until the job is done.

Let's PLEASE fight Al Qaeda in Iraq. Let them concentrate all their efforts there!

We have the men, we have the weapons, we have the leader, and staying the course is the best option for victory.

[FinallyBackInNH]

The letter is 6,300 words long and a senior official calls it the clearest and most comprehensive exposition of al Qaeda's objectives and strategy the U.S. has ever seen.

I'm sorry...this doesn't pass the smell test. These guys who can keep putting out video and audio tapes for 4 years without getting tracked down are suddenly writing STRATEGY MEMOS that mysteriously fall into the hands of CBS News. Don't know about anybody else, but I'm skeptical to say the least...

[netmilsmom]

Time to call in Buckhead.

[McGavin999]

LOL, he asks him to send money?

[SIDENET]

In the letter, Zawahari complains to Zarqawi that some of his violent tactics are hurting public support for al Qaeda's cause

Well, he still has the full and enthusiastic support of the Democrats.

[Straight Vermonter]

Iraq is a rough neighborhood for mailmen.

[indcons]

LOL... that'll mean another set of SEE-BS resignations.

[Brilliant]

In the letter, Zawahari complains to Zarqawi that some of his violent tactics are hurting public support for al Qaeda's cause, particularly the videotaped beheadings of hostages.

"We don't need this," the letter says. "Use a bullet instead."

Zawahiri also complains about Zarqawi's all-out war against the Shiites of Iraq, saying the Arab man in the street doesn't understand why suicide bombings are killing so many fellow Muslims.

The letter also indicates Zawahiri's life in hiding has left him cut off from news and financial support. He asks Zarqawi to provide him more information about operations in Iraq, saying he should know at least as much as the enemy knows, and he even asks Zarqawi to send money.

That's Zawahiri alright.

[Brilliant]

I gather from the request for money that Zawahiri is not living in an Afghan cave.

[Huck]

I agree. If true, it would be all you say.

[weegee]

..and Michael Moore (miserable failure)

[weegee]

Soros has lots of cash and front organizations. Perhaps they can make an appeal to him.

[AgThorn]

I'm sorry...this doesn't pass the smell test. These guys who can keep putting out video and audio tapes for 4 years without getting tracked down are suddenly writing STRATEGY MEMOS that mysteriously fall into the hands of CBS News. Don't know about anybody else, but I'm skeptical to say the least...

Hmmm .. you think they did this on an IBM Composer as well? ;-) Buckhead!!! We need you!!!

6300 words in Islam is bound to show a lot of errors if a forgery.

CBS: 'Can't Believe their Sh*t!'

[ClaireSolt]

CBS uses a picture that looks like a hero in a Romantic painting.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Most muslims in Iraq are Shiite. This shows that "wahhabi" Al-Qaida has no problems working with Iran as well.

[Moose Dung]

Ping for later reading...dung.

[Howlin]

The letter, which was written shortly after the London bombings in July, calls Iraq "the place for the greatest battle of Islam in this era."

Works for me.

[savedbygrace]

The letter, which was written shortly after the London bombings in July, calls Iraq "the place for the greatest battle of Islam in this era."

Must be the Father of all Battles, 'cause we already whuped their butts in the Mother of all Battles, and they cried Uncle, so it Aunt cousin us any relative grief.

Oh, brother!