Search for bin Laden Foiled on Many Fronts

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041214/NEWS/412140326/1039

Hunting for Osama bin Laden, the CIA established a series of small, covert bases in the rugged mountain frontier of northwest Pakistan in late 2003. Bin Laden, the terrorist leader, was being sheltered there by local tribesmen and foreign militants, the agency had concluded, and he controlled a group of handpicked operatives dedicated to attacking the United States.

But since the bases opened, the CIA officers stationed there have been strictly supervised by Pakistani officials, who have limited their ability to operate and have escorted them wherever they travel in the Pakistani border region. As a result, it has been virtually impossible for the Americans to gather intelligence effectively, say several officials familiar with the operation.

More than three years after the Sept. 11 attacks transformed Osama bin Laden into the most wanted man in the world, the search for him remains stalled, frustrated by the remote topography of his likely Pakistani sanctuary, stymied by a network that remains well funded and highly disciplined, sidetracked by the distractions of the war in Iraq and, perhaps most significantly, limited by deep suspicion of the United States among Pakistanis.

Prodded by the United States, Pakistan began an offensive along its northwest border this spring to flush out al-Qaida forces that had escaped from Afghanistan and to help find bin Laden. But after suffering heavy casualties and causing civilian deaths that stirred opposition, the Pakistani army declared victory two weeks ago and announced that bin Laden was not in Pakistan. Many U.S. intelligence officials are confident that he is, however -- and that he is as dangerous as ever.

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[Skidmore]

1. They're searching for him?

Coulda fooled me. Thought he didn't cross *'s little parochial mind.

[Tempest]

2. The biggest failure in the hunt

Is Boosh.

Bin Laden would have been killed or captured by now if Boosh hadn't removed troops from Afghanistan to fight in his Iraq folly.

[Technowitch]

3. ...most notably because the Shrub Administration doesn't give a damn

[nickshepDEM]

4. I think hes in the Sudan.

He knows in order for the US to find him there they must weed through a civil war in which they want no part of. Just my 2 cents.

[leesa]

7. I think he is long dead. There was an article about his death in Dec 2001

He was on dialysis, a very sick man. Anyway, IF he is alive, there is no way in hell Bush wants him found because then we would discover Bush's role in 9-11.

You don't believe the myth of a caveman, on dialysis from SA pulled off 9-11 without special assistance from our government, do you?

[oneold1-4u]

5. Have to stop thinking--

That a multi-billionaire would wish to be in a cave in some mountains and to have all the equipment and sterile conditions there for undergoing dialysis! Also would have to have a line for receiving medications and other necessities. All of this and more for 3+ years??? It would be far safer to return to his home and family in SA. They have no need for 50 million reward for his capture and they still have some ties to bush family. He may, someday of his own choosing, come out but until then, the stupid search for a cave dweller is ridiculous and very expensive.

[MasonJar]

6. Can you imagine anything more dangerous for the Bushies than

arresting or killing Bin Laden? That event would make Salmond Rushkie(sp?) and the vendetta against him look like an ice cream soda for two.

[montana_hazeleyes]

8. I heard

he's in Costa Rica scaring taxi drivers.