This is a remarkable statement from Goss; if OBL isn't hauled in reasonably soon, it can only make him look bad -- unless his real intent is to call attention to Pakistan's double game, which can only be to the good. "CIA 'knows Bin Laden whereabouts,'" from the BBC, with thanks to Granny Weatherwax:
The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency has said he has an "excellent idea" where Osama Bin Laden is hiding.But CIA director Porter Goss did not say when the world's most wanted man would be caught, nor his location.
He told Time magazine there were "weak links" in the US-led war on terror. His remarks follow recent US criticism of Pakistan's role in hunting suspects.
Bin Laden, wanted for the 9/11 attacks, is believed to be hiding in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
I wonder if he means Iran. Not that it matters. I'm sure OBL has safe passage all over the Muslim world. If he could run for office, it'd be a sweep in practically any Muslim country.
To many, many average Muslims, he's a big hero.
Secretary Rice, are you listening? Anybody?
-Rebecca
The US probably knows it is being played by pakistan. So much is clear even to armchair analysts and casual observers. I can only hope they have a back-up plan in mind to where all this is going....
If they know where Bin Laden is, why don't they send a cruise missile over there? You know the ones with the TV cameras, so we can see the look on his face just before the picture goes blank.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
Wouldn't it then be an "excellent idea" to go get the s.o.b., Porter?
And, in the interests of keeping an advantage in the psyops war that profoundly influences this conflict, for Osama to be discovered "having committed suicide" as we attempted his capture? (Maybe found in a woman's dress? And his large black brassiere stuffed with euros?) Since any other outcome leaves too many problems, tactically?
We want to make his demise a fizzle, not a fatwa.
Eh, Mr. Goss?
If you think Osama is popular now, just wait till someone proclaims him Al-Mahdi.
The entire muslim populations will act as one unit. Whatever Mahdi says, muslim does...
"just wait till someone proclaims him Al-Mahdi."
-- from a poster above
In Iraq, when Moqtada al-Sadr was much in the news, a friend in France reported that his followers were holding up signs declaring that the Mahdi had appeared. It was unclear if they declaring Moqtada al-Sasdr to be the Mahdi, or if they were simply making a statement. A chilling thought, either way. Nothing seems to have appeared about it in the American press.
Huhg...I'm sure that was more wishful thinking than anything, but you never know when wishful thinking can catch on...you're right, it is chilling...
Moqtada al-Sadr looks a lot more like a violent retard than a Mahdi
Sigh... The more US officials boast about their theories as to where bin Laden is holed up only contributes more to the "elusive mastermind" aura which is already prevalent in the heart and mind of the Muslim world.
If the CIA truly knows where he is then they need to come up with a covert plan to eliminate him.
This plan doesn't need consultation by Afghan, Pakistani or Iranian authorities either.
Execute the plan to grind the bastard into the dust and ask for forgiveness later.
End of story.
dennisw-
And who's to say that The Mahdi isn't supposed to be a violent retard?
Wasn't the originator of the whole cult one?
(And didn't The Mahdi already come in Sudan, in the late 19th century, as mentioned in the rousing film "Khartoum", where Lawrence Olivier played him chillingly?)
We were just mentioned on MSNBC again!!
Right before Daniel Pipes came on, they said, "over at Jihad Watch, they called Porter Goss's comments "remarkable" and they wonder if Goss's words won't come back to haunt him if bin Laden isn't caught soon."
And they showed the site with this entry!
I love it!
Rebecca
Rebecca,
What about Bush's statement that bin Laden would be captured within a year of 9/11?
I heard that statement and wondered as to how it would affect his "ratings."
The Bush induced statement by Goss is nothing more than a political gambit to ensure Bush's place in the history books.
Of course, I could be wrong...
It is nice though to hear that Jihad Watch is getting more and more accolades.
As it should be. Keep up the good work.
Goss is trying to rattle OBL's cage people! Get OBL all jittery, and now all of a sudden you see an increase in wireless communications, increased cell phone use, and the movement of vehicles in and out of certain areas of interest. A little bit of triangulation and there he is. Pure psychological warfare at it's finest.
I also believe Mr. Goss is acting from orders from Bush to strong-arm Mushharaf to allow U.S. troops full access to ALL of Pakistan, rather than give the job to the Pakistani troops themselves. It is likely that Pakistan's ISI and police force have been infiltrated by al-Qaida, thereby rendering them ineffective for counter-terrorism operations.
BTW Hugh, al-Mahdi IS the Anti-Christ for those of us who are prophetically inclined.
Rebecca, glad to see JW get some press from MSNBC. I have a feeling that will not be the last time the MSM makes a specific reference to this lovely blog.
It gives me hope that the media are not all meat heads if MSNBC is reading JW. Islam is the problem, not a tiny minority! Read the Qur'an and the hadiths, it is all there.