US negates reports on Osama's capture

sify.com...

Exceprt:

"Saturday, 21 February , 2004, 06:09

Washington: The US has scotched reports coming out of Pakistan that its forces have captured Osama bin Laden.
"That would be news to everybody in this room. No, I haven't heard anything - haven't heard anything like that," spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters at the White House here yesterday.

Asked to clarify what prompted President Pervez Musharraf to say a couple of weeks ago that Pakistani forces would have bin Laden by the year-end, the spokesman said, "I speak for the President. Obviously, I don't speak for President Musharraf."

As for whether the capture of bin Landen would signal the end of the war on terrorism, McClellan said the war on terrorism would continue. "And obviously, we have made significant progress in the war on terrorism. But as the President has said, this is something that is not going to be won overnight."


And a couple more articles seemingly related to this:

"Bin Laden 'boxed in' by US soldiers"
www.theaustralian.news.com.au...

"Bin Laden 'surrounded'"
www.sundaytelegraph.news.com.au...


In respect to this, how many of you feel Osama will be captured? This will certainly dent my own personal belief that Osama was already dead. In such, what effect will a supposed Osama Bin Laden capture have on Terrorism itself? What effect will it have in world politics on such matters as concerning the "war on terrorism"?

Will Osama's capture be overall, good or bad and in what respects?
Do you think these articles are dis-information or forms of? Are they forms of media 'hype'? If so or not, why and how?



regards
seekerof

They're holding off on bagging the bastid until it's closer to election time.

If they do turn him up, its going to really throw the US elections into an uproar. I dare say it would set Bush up for a landslide victory into a second term. This would only bolster him to really press his anti-terrorism campaign and step on even more toes along the way. Of course with both of his custom boogie-men in the cage, there wouldnt be that glowing target to persue anymore, and hopefully by the end of his term the "war on terror" would resume its rightful place OUT of the media.

Well, in all fairness, you are probably correct in what you mentioned alternateheaven.

Osama will undoubtedly become a GOP 'prop' of sorts and will be quite a blow to DNC hopefuls, as well as possibly to the Democratic platform and party.
One must almost have to consider that those who do not favor a Osama capture before the elections are praying that if these source are indeed true, and that though still relatively speculative, that Osama does not appear anytime soon in handcuffs.


regards
seekerof

[Edited on 21-2-2004 by Seekerof]

Osama is a spook, a Bush administration spook, a invaluble tool of the 'war on terror'. Captured/dead in my opinion. Of course I may well be wrong but there is no proof he is alive besides dodgy tapes/video and U.S intelligence which cannot be trusted as fact. He may well turn up before the elections.

earthtone, you may be correct, somewhat, in your thinking.
"Captured/dead in my opinion"

I mentioned before and above that I always had thought that Osama was dead. I did a topic/thread on the voice analysis of an Osama tape that mentions some very informative and speculative stuff. I will not find and link the thread but will post the main article/analysis that was mentioned as at the heart of the topic:

"The Voice of Osama bin Laden
Osama�s voice on tape proves that the leader of al Qaeda is still alive. Or does it?"
muller.lbl.gov...


Also to note is that the US, I believe has commented to have had Osama "pinned down" before. In such, the accuracy of what is being reported today is certainly questionable, and one I take with cautious skepticism.
A part of me still believes Osama is buried somewhere within or around Tora Bora.

BUt, despite my opinions, I'm interested to read what others think of this. I wonder if it will hit mainstream US media or be dismissed till confirmation of such a capture?



regards
seekerof

[Edited on 21-2-2004 by Seekerof]

The mainstream media don't touch this stuff Seekerof, all the masses are fed with is exactely what they need to hear so they don't worry about what our great leaders are up to in some distant land far away.

I will not believe. .

shoot, if BUsh would win again, I might just have to move to Canada... Im really scared about all the Patriot Acts that popping up everywhere, how they used it to catch money launderers in Las Vegas (where are the terror aspects in illegal gambling).

We must push this into the mainstream media, we must somehow cause others to realize how blind 'we' are.

If Bush wins again, the political divide will be strong enough for Hillary to take it in 2008, pretty much what I think she is banking on.

The uproar from anti-Bush folks will reach new heights and there will be dissent far as the eye can see.

Be prepared for some serious crap should Bush win.

Originally posted by bios electric
They're holding off on bagging the bastid until it's closer to election time.

How many other people think this? I think they all ready have him and are waiting to release the news.

The political tide has turned in Pakistans leadership after they were publicly humiliated on the proliferation subject, plus there is no telling what kind of other backdoor deals were forced on them along with the nuke codes issue. One of the deals probably made was to resolve the tribal area issue dealing with Osama hiding there. I think the alternative for Pakistan was forced disarmament.

So we have US forces from Afganistan coming from the west and Pakistani forces coming from the east in a classic military manuever.

Will this be enough to capture Osama dead or alive, I hope so.

Looking at my map - an area of Afganistan shaped like a finger is between the Kazakstan region and Pakistan to the south. If this area is blocked by US and Osama is in tribal region it seems a fair chance of catching him is doable.

According to the latest, Osama and escorts are supposedly North of Khanozai, with Coalitions forces, along with Pakistani troops closing:

maps.fallingrain.com...


Pakistan involvement:
www.nation.com.pk...
www.iht.com...

Latest:
english.peopledaily.com.cn...


regards
seekerof

[Edited on 22-2-2004 by Seekerof]

remember the 'spring offensive' recently reported?

And, anyone watch the UBL special on the Discovery Channel tonight??

I did and I have another question. Is this Osamma report been put on any other credible news sites that regular civilians wouldnt dismiss as crack pot speculation?

I vaguely remember the mention and reading about the "Spring Offensive" Bob, but I didn't get a chance to see the show that you are speaking of.
In such, if you will, I, for one, would be interested in your thoughts on what you saw, if you did.


regards
seekerof

Im hoping, and sure they will, re-run it, Seeker. I saw the first few minutes and had a visitor and didnt really catch much of it.

Thanks Bob....Just scanned the DirectTV and saw it:
"The Hunt For Bin Laden", is that the one?
Comes on midnight for me being I'm on EST.
Will record it and watch.

Thanks for the heads-up.



regards
seekerof

[Edited on 22-2-2004 by Seekerof]

Originally posted by Bob88
Im hoping, and sure they will, re-run it, Seeker. I saw the first few minutes and had a visitor and didnt really catch much of it.

My program guide shows that "The Hunt for Osama bin Laden " will run again tonight at midnight eastern time on The Discovery Channel.

Could it be that maybe we have captured him already? Perhaps the US didn't want the news to get out just yet?..If im way wrong someone please correct me.

I just heard on the news that they have osoma spotted and are waiting for word approval from Bush untill U.S. forces move in to capture him.

They sounded pretty confident in that statement so it appears that they may announce his capture fairly soon.

[Edited on 23-2-2004 by McGotti]