Bin Laden Dead ?

[geoffphuket]

Live broadcast on CNN is reporting that Bin Laden might be dead

[george]

France investigates bin Laden 'death' leak

PARIS: -- French President Jacques Chirac said on Saturday he would investigate the leak of confidential French defense ministry documents containing a report that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is dead, and stressed the report had been in no way confirmed.

"I was rather surprised to see that a confidential note from the DGSE (General Directorate for External Security) was published and I have asked the minister of Defense to start an investigation immediately and to reach whatever conclusions are necessary," Chirac said.

"Secondly, speaking of the source of the information itself, this information is in no way confirmed."

U.S. intelligence officials said Saturday they could not confirm the report suggesting that bin Laden might be dead, and a Saudi intelligence source told CNN's Nic Robertson that there had been credible reports in the past few weeks that bin Laden was ill with a water-borne disease, but that he was not dead.

The leaked information was published in the French regional newspaper L'Est Republicain Saturday.

The article said that a French foreign intelligence document dated September 21 quoted a "usually reliable source" as saying that Saudi Arabian authorities had received confirmation that bin Laden died of an acute case of typhoid in Pakistan August 23.

Laid Sammari, the journalist who wrote the article, told CNN in a phone interview he was confident of the authenticity of the confidential document.

He said the only thing the Saudis were trying to confirm was the burial place of the al Qaeda leader, before they would make an official announcement.

Pakistani officials also said on Saturday they have no information that confirms bin Laden's death.

Friday, U.S. President George Bush and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in a joint news conference that the hunt is still on for the leaders of al Qaeda.

The report in L'Est Republicain said the Saudi secret service first got the reports of bin Laden's death on September 4.

CNN is trying to confirm the reports with Saudi officials in Washington, D.C., and in Saudi Arabia.

An official with the French defense ministry confirmed that an investigation into the leaked documents was already under way.

The last message from bin Laden was an audiotaped post on an Islamic Web site on June 30. The CIA confirmed the voice giving the message was that of the al Qaeda leader.

In the message, bin Laden names Abu Hamza al-Mujaher as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's successor as leader of al Qaeda in Iraq.

The last videotaped statement from bin Laden was aireon October 29, 2004 on Al Jazeera.

--CNN 2006-09-23

[taxexile]

it has just been reported on the thai itv news , nothing confirmed yet.

France looks into bin Laden death report

By ELAINE GANLEY

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Questions are being raises about whether Osama bin Laden, shown here in this April 1998 file photo in Afghanistan, is dead or alive. The French government is looking into the leaking of a document by a French intelligence service citing an uncorroborated report that bin Laden had died of of typhoid in Pakistan last month. The report was printed in Saturday's edition of l'Est Republicain newspaper. "This information is in no way whatsoever confirmed," French President Jacques Chirac said Saturday. (AP File Photo)

PARIS -- President Jacques Chirac said Saturday that information contained in a leaked intelligence document raising the possibility that Osama bin Laden may have died of typhoid in Pakistan last month is "in no way whatsoever confirmed."

Chirac said he was "a bit surprised" at the leak and has asked Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie to probe how a document from a French foreign intelligence service was published in the French press.

The regional newspaper l'Est Republicain on Saturday printed what it described as a copy of a confidential document from the DGSE intelligence service citing an uncorroborated report from Saudi secret services that the leader of the al-Qaida terror network had died.

The DGSE transmitted the document, dated Sept. 21 or Thursday, to Chirac and other top French officials, the newspaper said.

"This information is in no way whatsoever confirmed," Chirac said Saturday when asked about the document. "I have no comment."

In Washington, CIA duty officer Paul Gimigliano said he could not confirm the DGSE report.

The Washington-based IntelCenter, which monitors terrorism communications, said it was not aware of any similar reports on the Internet.

"We've seen nothing from any al-Qaida messaging or other indicators that would point to the death of Osama bin Laden," IntelCenter director Ben N. Venzke told The Associated Press.

Al-Qaida would likely release information of his death fairly quickly if it were true, said Venzke, whose organization also provides counterterrorism intelligence services for the American government.

"They would want to release that to sort of control the way that it unfolds. If they wait too long, they could lose the initiative on it," he said.

The last time the IntelCenter says it could be sure bin Laden was alive was June 29, when al-Qaida released an audiotape in which the terror leader eulogized the death of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq earlier that month.

Chirac spoke at a news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Compiegne, France, where the leaders were holding a summit.

Putin suggested that leaks can be ways to manipulate. "When there are leaks ... one can say that (they) were done especially."

Earlier the French defense ministry said it was opening an investigation into the leak.

"The information diffused this morning by the l'Est Republicain newspaper concerning the possible death of Osama bin Laden cannot be confirmed," a Defense Ministry statement said.

The DGSE, or Direction Generale des Services Exterieurs, indicated that its information came from a single source.

"According to a reliable source, Saudi security services are now convinced that Osama bin Laden is dead," said the intelligence report.

There have been periodic reports of bin Laden's illness or death in recent years but none has been proven accurate.

According to this report, Saudi security services were pursuing further details, notably the place of his burial.

"The chief of al-Qaida was a victim of a severe typhoid crisis while in Pakistan on August 23, 2006," the document says. His geographic isolation meant that medical assistance was impossible, the French report said, adding that his lower limbs were allegedly paralyzed.

The report further said Saudi security services had their first information on bin Laden's alleged death on Sept. 4.

In Pakistan, a senior official of that country's top spy agency, the ISI or Directorate of Inter-Service Intelligence, said he had no information to confirm bin Laden's whereabouts or that he might be dead. The official said he believed the report could be fabricated. The official was not authorized to speak publicly on the topic and spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S. Embassy officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan also said they could not confirm the French report.

Gen. Henri Bentegeat, the French army chief of staff, said in a radio debate last Sunday that bin Laden's fate remained a mystery.

"Today, bin Laden is certainly not in Afghanistan," Bentegeat said. "No one is completely certain that he is even alive."

[Neeranam]

This weeks news is getting better, after I thought it never could!

[Khun Jean]

This quote from CNN website makes me worry a bit that this 'war on terror' is long from over.

"Friday, U.S. President George Bush and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in a joint news conference that the hunt is still on for the leaders of al Qaeda."

Notice the word LEADERS. So now it is not only Bin Laden but more people that control the Al Qaeda.

I might add that this news conference was 1 day before the rumours of Bin Ladens death are spread.

Coincedence???

Edited September 23, 2006 by Khun Jean

[John K]

60-20-20... all this means is they are getting close to finding him.

[suegha]

It won't make any difference if he is dead, there's always someone else willing to take on the mantle!

[midas]

I totally agree Suegha - and since the recent relentless bombing of Lebanon, how many more

20 year old Osama Bin Ladens have been added to the ranks .?

Al-Qaeda, meaning the base, is the organisation or network established and led by Osama Bin Laden. US investigators say it has a command-and-control centre which discusses and approves major undertakings and attacks. They say it was based in Peshawar from 1989 to about 1991, and then moved to Sudan until about 1996, before relocating to Afghanistan where it operated training camps.

It is believed to form loose operational alliances across continents with a wide range of similarly-minded groups.

It was established as an umbrella group for Islamic militants who fought in Afghanistan against the Soviet Army.

[John K]

This should be in the "Stupid Rumour Of The Day" thread in the general section.

[Thaipwriter]

This weeks news is getting better, after I thought it never could!

Agreed, all we need now is that thickie Bush to cark it.

[gbt71fa]

I totally agree Suegha - and since the recent relentless bombing of Lebanon, how many more

20 year old Osama Bin Ladens have been added to the ranks .?

Funny, how nobody mentions all that relentless rockets attacks, suicide bombings, creating more terrorists in Israel...the poor, poor lebanese...give me a break!

[gbt71fa]

This weeks news is getting better, after I thought it never could!

Agreed, all we need now is that thickie Bush to cark it.

Yes, that evil Bush holding up and enforcing international law (17 u.n. resolutions against Iraq) and freeing 50 million people, two countries, giving the people a chance to decide and fight for their future, no more $25,000 payouts to families of suicide bombers, no more save haven for inernational terrorists groups....yes, what an evil s.o.b.....don't worry, we will keep fighting the good fight and you keep ignoring it...you should hang out with the french...

[chonabot]

This thread will be closed soon guys, unless you focus on the news in hand.

[John K]

This thread will be closed soon guys, unless you focus on the news in hand.

What about the last time he was dead, I think this makes number 3 for him.

I guess sooner or later we will get around to terrorists, and .........

Edited September 23, 2006 by John K

[Vespa]

I totally agree Suegha - and since the recent relentless bombing of Lebanon, how many more

20 year old Osama Bin Ladens have been added to the ranks .?

Funny, how nobody mentions all that relentless rockets attacks, suicide bombings, creating more terrorists in Israel...the poor, poor lebanese...give me a break!

Good point or Lebanon’s obvious support of a terrorist organization masquerading as a political organization.

You mess with the bull & you get the horns.

[khall64au]

This weeks news is getting better, after I thought it never could!

Agreed, all we need now is that thickie Bush to cark it.

Yes, that evil Bush holding up and enforcing international law (17 u.n. resolutions against Iraq) and freeing 50 million people, two countries, giving the people a chance to decide and fight for their future, no more $25,000 payouts to families of suicide bombers, no more save haven for inernational terrorists groups....yes, what an evil s.o.b.....don't worry, we will keep fighting the good fight and you keep ignoring it...you should hang out with the french...

yah, yah... Uncle Sam NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ilyushin]

Good news if true!

Gen. Henri Bentegeat, the French army chief of staff, said in a radio debate last Sunday that bin Laden's fate remained a mystery.

If true, whose next?

Edited September 23, 2006 by ilyushin

[Viking]

It doesn’t matter if he is dead or alive! It will be business as usual in the “war against terror”. As they said the “leaders” will be targeted next and then….and then!!! Too much money and natural resources at stake to stop now. Probably wont stop until the oil is gone.

Viking

[yoshiwara]

If its true I feel sorry for the virgins up there (down there?)

[suegha]

I totally agree Suegha - and since the recent relentless bombing of Lebanon, how many more

20 year old Osama Bin Ladens have been added to the ranks .?

Funny, how nobody mentions all that relentless rockets attacks, suicide bombings, creating more terrorists in Israel...the poor, poor lebanese...give me a break!

Not sure what you mean. I was not making a value judgement one way of the other. I can't speak for midas, however, the point was that there are many more (for what ever reason) willing to continue in Osama's shoes. This is not justifying either 'sides' involvment or motivation, it's just a simple fact!

[britmaveric]

Good news if it is true - bit ironic actually died of typhoid. hehehe Got to love it - no down with a blaze of glory in a Jhiad!!!

[cobra]

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

Mark Twain

[Tornado]

This weeks news is getting better, after I thought it never could!

Agreed, all we need now is that thickie Bush to cark it.

Yes, that evil Bush holding up and enforcing international law (17 u.n. resolutions against Iraq) and freeing 50 million people, two countries, giving the people a chance to decide and fight for their future, no more $25,000 payouts to families of suicide bombers, no more save haven for inernational terrorists groups....yes, what an evil s.o.b.....don't worry, we will keep fighting the good fight and you keep ignoring it...you should hang out with the french...

[Ulysses G.]

I totally agree Suegha - and since the recent relentless bombing of Lebanon, how many more

20 year old Osama Bin Ladens have been added to the ranks .?

Funny, how nobody mentions all that relentless rockets attacks, suicide bombings, creating more terrorists in Israel...the poor, poor lebanese...give me a break

Good point or Lebanon’s obvious support of a terrorist organization masquerading as a political organization.

You mess with the bull & you get the horns.

All I see are big Lebanese crowds on TV saying how willing they are to die for Hezbolllah.

They may get their chance!

[gbt71fa]

This weeks news is getting better, after I thought it never could!

yah, yah... Uncle Sam NEEDS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He already called and I already answered...and you?

[kurgen]

I hope that all his virgins turn out to be Virginians

[Thaiboxer]

If he is dead, that's good news; one more scumbag terrorist gone. However, as one poster mentioned, there are plenty of others to take his place. These brainwashed militants breed like roaches; you may squash one but there are others.

[geoffphuket]

From the BBC News web site this morning:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/5374160.stm

Probe into 'Bin Laden death' leak

Osama Bin Laden President Jacques Chirac has ordered an inquiry into the leak of a French secret service memo claiming that Osama Bin Laden had died.

Mr Chirac told reporters he was surprised the memo had been leaked, and refused to comment on the claim itself.

A French newspaper quoted a document as saying the Saudi secret services were convinced the al-Qaeda leader had died of typhoid in Pakistan in late August.

Officials in Pakistan and the US said they could not confirm the account.

Saudi-born Bin Laden was based in Afghanistan until the Taleban government there was overthrown by US-backed forces in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks.

Since then, US and Pakistani officials have regularly said they believe he is hiding in the lawless border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

His last videotaped message was released in late 2004, but several audio tapes have been released this year - the last at the end of June, in which Bin Laden praised Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, who was killed in an American air strike.

Internal organs paralysed

In its report, French regional daily L'Est Republicain said it had obtained a copy of a DGSE foreign intelligence service report dated 21 September.

"According to a usually reliable source, the Saudi services are now convinced that Osama Bin Laden is dead," it read.

"The information gathered by the Saudis indicates that the head of al-Qaeda fell victim, while he was in Pakistan on August 23, 2006, to a very serious case of typhoid that led to a partial paralysis of his internal organs."

Mr Chirac said: "I am surprised that a confidential memo from the secret services has been published, therefore I've ordered the defence minister to start an inquiry.

"As far as the information itself is concerned, it's not confirmed in any way. Therefore I have no comment at all."

The Washington-based IntelCenter, which monitors terrorism communications, said it was not aware of any similar reports on the internet.

"We've seen nothing from any al-Qaeda messaging or other indicators that would point to the death of Osama Bin Laden," director Ben Venzke told the Associated Press news agency.

[pascharay]

I totally agree Suegha - and since the recent relentless bombing of Lebanon, how many more

20 year old Osama Bin Ladens have been added to the ranks .?

Funny, how nobody mentions all that relentless rockets attacks, suicide bombings, creating more terrorists in Israel...the poor, poor lebanese...give me a break!

Good point or Lebanon’s obvious support of a terrorist organization masquerading as a political organization.

You mess with the bull & you get the horns.

Five years after 9/11 no one has an idea where OBL is

Or as the adage goes

Those that say don't know

Those that know don't say.

My bet is for the Crawford ranch

[VanZam]

If he is dead, that's good news; one more scumbag terrorist gone. However, as one poster mentioned, there are plenty of others to take his place. These brainwashed militants breed like roaches; you may squash one but there are others.

Piffft, Its not like he was doing anything other than hiding in a cave for the last few years.

I guess the US will have to blame everything on somebody else now