Hi Platt, sorry, my last message got interrupted...
Hi Platt,
I've searched this interview for the paragraph that you quoted and don't
find it. It looks like whoever composed the paragraph took a phrase here and
there from the interview, modified or inserted wording, and strung them
together to make Bin Laden sound as bellicose as possible, not that that is
hard to do. But all of the interesting material was left out, and it is
really this that gives a better understanding of Bin Laden. The site you
give also has many other interviews and secondary materials on Bin Laden.
Based on the interviews, I would disagree that Bin Laden's goal is to
'destroy us' as you say; rather, he has some specific accusations that he
insists the US and others address. I think the terrorist acts, misguided as
they may be, are his way of trying to get attention drawn to those
accusations, and to show his determination and ability to get that
attention. At first scan, the interviews are full of IF THEN statements, and
I find no statement that asserts his desire to 'destroy us'. The call for
war against America is there, but, chilling as it may be, that represents a
far cry from calling for the destruction of the American people. Please keep
in mind that war is something that countries wage among themselves, and that
Bin Laden's terrorist acts are essentially and legally a criminal matter.
Bin Laden himself has no authority to declare war on behalf of any country,
though anyone can call for such, as many Americans have done in the last few
days.
I hope you don't think I am quibbling with legalisms here; these
distinctions have major analytic, policy and legal implications. The worst
thing the US can do now is itself come down on the wrong side of these
distinctions.
Many thanks for the citation,
Lawrence
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk
> [mailto:owner-moq_discuss@venus.co.uk]On Behalf Of Platt Holden
> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 10:49 AM
> To: moq_discuss@moq.org
> Subject: RE: MD Four theses
>
>
> Hi Lawrence:
>
> > Hi Platt, can give me the citation for this interview and a
> guide to where
> > you found it? Many thanks.
>
> You'll find the full interview and then some at:
>
> www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/who/interview.html
> #video
>
> Those who doubt his intent to destroy us will change their minds after
> reading this.
>
> Platt
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