Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Musharraf: We Zeroed In on Osama, Then 'Lost Track'

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 3, 2009 3:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US and Pakistan were this close to catching Osama bin Laden about 5 years ago, says former President Pervez Musharraf. "Then, suddenly, we lost track." In a question-and-answer forum following a speech in South Dakota, Musharraf said intelligence closed in on the al-Qaeda leader in a "broad location" before fizzling, notes USA Today. "I don't know whether he's dead or alive," he added. "It was a failure of Pakistan and a failure of US intelligence also."


 

A 1998 file photo of Osama bin Laden.
A 1998 file photo of Osama bin Laden.   (AP Photo)
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gives a speech Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gives a speech Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.   (AP Photo/Dirk Lammers)
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.   (AP Photo/ John Costello, Pool)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
foodchain11
Oct 4, 2009 12:57 PM CDT
do you defend Bush?
divetrader
Oct 4, 2009 11:19 AM CDT
thejoint00 are you talking about deterrents like spying on your own citizens? Or, keeping people in prisons without so much as a hearing for years? Or secret renditions to foreign countries by the CIA? Sure, let's trample all over the Geneva conventions as well as our own constitution.
Cat-Lover
Oct 4, 2009 10:28 AM CDT
BLAME BUSH! And I mean: Blame Bush!

More Newser Stories

Bin Laden 'Right-Hand Man' Set for Release in Britain

Bin Laden Told Kids: Move to US or Europe

Drone Strike Kills Top al-Qaeda Operative

Musharraf Plans Return to Pakistan, Faces Arrest

Kidnapped US Teen Outwits Terrorist Captors


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne