The US Government released only a portion of what had been recovered and there is a demand that the entire files be declassified. A House Intelligence Committee held a hearing on “Worldwide Threats” on 11 April despite repeated requests to have the Osama files from Abbotabad be declassified no action was forth coming. Some questions on the released documents.
How many total files (documents, video, audio, etc.) were recovered in bin Laden’s lair?This total figure should include not only all of the documents authored by bin Laden himself, but also files created by other al Qaeda operatives and, in fact, anyone else. This total also includes any works authored in the West that al Qaeda deemed important enough to comment upon – such as leaked State Department cables.
(2) Why were only 17 documents released to the public? Do the intelligence officials testifying before the committee consider this paltry subset to be significant? Who picked the 17 documents that were released?
(3) Does the administration have any plans to release more documents to the public? If not, why not?
(4) Will the administration share with Congress a complete list of the documents and files recovered (including any descriptions of the documents generated by the intelligence community)? Will the administration give Congress, including members of the intelligence committee, access to the original documents and translations of them? If not, why not?..
(5) What do the documents say about al Qaeda’s ties to the Taliban, and role inside Afghanistan? The Guardian has reported that some of the documents recovered in bin Laden’s compound “show a close working relationship between top al Qaeda leaders and Mullah Omar, the overall commander of the Taliban, including frequent discussions of joint operations against NATO forces in Afghanistan, the Afghan government, and targets in Pakistan.” Both Osama bin Laden and his replacement, Ayman al Zawahiri, were involved in coordinating attacks with the Taliban. However, the documents showing tight collusion between the Taliban and al Qaeda were not released to the public. Why?
Link: http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/bin-laden-s-files-and-al-qaeda-threat_716226.html?page=2
. The most senior U.S. intelligence officials are scheduled to testify. "Page 1 of 4 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Praise be to God, Lord of the universe, and peace and prayers be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all of his companions Now then... To the noble brother, Shaykh Mahmud, may God protect him I hope you receive this message of mine while you, your family, children, and all of the brothers are in good health. So, -- With regard to what you had mentioned in a previous message, that some brothers may go to Iran as part of a plan to protect the brother, thus I see that Iran is not suitable. Also, when choosing the areas where the brothers will be inside Pakistan that they are not areas that encountered floods or may encounter them in the future. -- With regard to the brothers coming from Iran, thus I see, at this stage, that they be at safe locations outside the areas being attacked. -- Regarding look at the report you mentioned. However, the opinion in general is to be concerned with calming things down and focusing efforts on the Americans. ..... I am afraid that this kind of perception, if that is reality, will lead them to exercising pressure on us to not to say so--and--so, or disassociate from so--and--so, denounce your connections with so--and--so, or deny your ties with so--and-- essential for Al-- confirm and declare its linkage with its branches, in order to become a reported fact, there is no use in denying it. Therefore, please reconsider your opinion not to declare the accession of the brothers of Somalia so as not to be pressured later on to announce our disassociation with them or with others There is another issue, which I would like you to look into carefully;? it is concerning controlling the affairs in general, membership and the affiliation in particular. There is no secret to you that, in the past, there were a lot of advantages and faults. However, what I would like to emphasize in this letter is the issue of individuals, those who pledge allegiance, and the affiliates. Therefore, from the last experience it showed .. I previously had sent to you, last 12 of Dhul Al-- Hijja (TN: No year given, most recent would be 19 November 2010): addressed to you;? here is what I think. It is that those brothers might have sent the letter out of fear, too concerned about inflating the size and the growth of Al--Qa'ida, blessing and strength. In addition, they think that bearing the burden of this huge body is overburdening, confining their energy, and exposing them to problems with many other parties. Especially, they desire and wish to walk toward development and construction. Therefore, they are satisfied with keeping those who resort to them and not exceeding that. I am afraid that this kind of perception, if that is reality, will lead them to exercising pressure on us to not to say so--and--so, or disassociate from so--and--so, denounce your connections with so--and--so, or deny your ties with so--and-- essential for Al-- confirm and declare its linkage with its branches, in order to become a reported fact, there is no use in denying it. http://digg.com/newsbar/worldnews/secret_osama_bin_laden_files_reveal_al_qaeda_membership For The entire Documents http://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/letters-from-abbottabad-bin-ladin-sidelined
You must be logged in to post a comment.