From: Ramez Naam (mez@apexnano.com)
Date: Thu Jun 05 2003 - 15:06:00 MDT
Ron (Dehede011@aol.com) writes:
The problem is that your phrase "no substantial link" allows
you to slip, slide and duck better than Muhammad Ali on his best day.
Of course we found Sadaam giving refuge to terrorists (he apparently
murdered one in Iraq,
remember) we found what two or three training camps. but it wouldn't
be substantial to you regardless.
mez replies:
You are perhaps thinking of the camps of Das Es Salaam (I believe I
have the name right). That group was operating in an area of Iraq
controlled by the Kurds, our ostensible allies.
There is also a group of self-named Mujahadeen who are based in Iraq
and were, apparently with Saddam's blessing and support, working
against the government of Iran. Despite the fact that this group is
on the US's list of terrorist organizations, the US is now apparently
considering using them as a ground force to destabilize Iran. How
ironic.
Regardless, there's no evidence that Saddam gave any support to Al
Queda or any other group that targetted the US. And there's good
reason to believe he wouldn't: Saddam is an atheist realist power
monger. Al Queda is religious fundamentalist organization with an
emphasis on martyrdom.
Ron:
I suggest you get busy and read the postings of the middle
easterners and the postings of their newspapers on the Internet and
forget what your anti American, American friends are telling you.
Buddy this isn't rocket science, just cast your information net
a bit wider and start getting informed.
mez:
I find this suggestion amusing. As you may recall from our previous
conversations on this list, I'm from the middle east, I speak arabic,
and I spent a few weeks in the region this past December. Of course I
read the middle eastern papers. I also keep up with the content
published in the Arabic versions that doesn't show up in the English
translations.
I have no problem discussing this issue with you on the merits, but
please do not presume to have superior data sources or superior
insights into the region.
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