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US Releases bin Laden Letters

Documents show he was frustrated with al-Qaeda

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 3, 2012 10:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – By the time SEAL Team Six ended his life a year ago, Osama bin Laden had grown pretty frustrated with al-Qaeda. The US today released some of the documents SEALs made off with when they raided bin Laden's Abbottabad compound, the Washington Post reports, and they reveal that the terrorist leader was upset by his network's attacks on fellow Muslims—and lack of attacks on Western targets. He believed the attacks, along with a clumsy media operation, were turning Muslims against al-Qaeda.

Bin Laden railed against the "increased mistakes" by his "brothers," and members of his inner circle encouraged him to disown affiliates that didn't follow his guidance. The content of the letters is essentially in line with earlier reports about them. The report also points out that they make no mention of bin Laden getting help from Pakistan—though that may not mean much, since they represent only a fraction of the files obtained during the raid.

Supporters of Pakistan's religious party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazriati group) hold a a poster of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden during pro-bin Laden rally in Quetta, Pakistan, May 2, 2012.
Supporters of Pakistan's religious party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazriati group) hold a a poster of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden during pro-bin Laden rally in Quetta, Pakistan, May 2, 2012.   (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
USLady
May 6, 2012 9:15 AM CDT
Why does Osama & Obama favor each other ? they may be related.
USLady
May 4, 2012 9:39 AM CDT
okay! so! I would think their are better people to post topics about! I believe this is one big problem in America!  Glamourizing people who do rotten,corrupt,things! even movies that desensitize killing,and other cruel behavior! people are acting as though it is nothing! you should be sick of them throwing trash in your face! not only this we need to hear more stories on people who fight for this country and those who stand up for good! but there probably is a cover up with O.B.L.
Non-deep-thinker
May 3, 2012 5:28 PM CDT
Gee isn't it funny how all this is being released one drib and drab after another.  A cynic would almost say it's being coordinated by some backroom political hacks, and that there is an actual "Spike-The-Ball List" that exists: Monday: Hillary remembers.  Tuesday: Bill remembers Hillary remembering.  Wednesday: The slow walk-through the Situation Room with the Fakestream taken in baby steps by the hand.  Thursday: Speech in Kabul.  Friday: Bin Laden documents coincidentally released.  I'd love to see the actual Spike-The-Ball List which shows this roll-out day after day. At least this is what a cynic would say.
 

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