Posted by J.Brown on March 22, 2003, at 9:34:30
In reply to Iraq and Al Queda » beardedlady, posted by shar on March 21, 2003, at 20:48:10
> >But what did this attack have to do with Iraq? The terrorists were mostly Saudis, and they were being trained by Bin Laden who was hiding in Afghanistan. Why aren't we bombing Saudi Arabia?
> >
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> I think this is a blurred issue, and Bush is happy to let it stand as is. Iraq (really, Hussein) has provided support (financiing and training) for a number of terrorist groups, including Al Queda and Hussein's bud Bin Laden. I don't believe Hussein was directly involved in the attacks during 9/11, but I do believe that he very likely was involved indirectly via previous (and probably ongoing) support.
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> Iraq and Al Queda are separate issues in some ways, and as time went on, people in the media quit making much of a distinction between the two and in the minds of many people Iraq is responsible for 9/11 which isn't accurate. However, there *is* an element of preventing terrorism by getting rid of Hussein in that he presumably won't be offering terrorist groups the same level of support.
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> I figure you already know this information, but just don't believe it? You're too well-informed not to know about the connection between Hussein and Bin Laden/Al Queda.
This does not describe the Bush doctrine regarding the extent of Al Queda militant organization in Iraq. Colin Powell has repeatedly cited a Muslim sect in Northern Iraq as Hussein's tie to Al Queda. Hussein allegedly supports this group, about like Bush tolerates street gangs. This would be tantamount to identifying all Christian fundamentalists who subscribe to Liberty Lobby as terrorists.At any rate, part of the attack included missile attacks against these northern tribes in the Kurdish territories, who had attacked no U.S. or Brit forces. A column of Turkish forces also advanced on the tribes, to the chagrin of the primary offenders of this offensive. In this war, ideological opposition to the U.S. is treated as an act of terrorism.
poster:J.Brown
thread:210223
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030322/msgs/211382.html