(photo: #9, flickr)

(photo: #9, flickr)

1998 Diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks reveals three years before the events of 9/11, the US government received intelligence about a Terrorist Threat from Usama Bin Laden. This intelligence was later shared with New York. The cable was created by Madeline Albright. Madeline Albright was the United States Secretary Of State from January 23, 1997 to January 20, 2001. She served under then President Bill Clinton. The subject of the cable was, approach to EU on Taliban support for Usama Bin Laden. Although the most common spelling is Taliban, in the cable Taliban is spelled Taleban. Further information, history, biography, of the Taliban can be found here. After the September 11, 2001 Terrorist attacks against the US, in New York and Washington DC, the Taliban were overthrown by Operation Enduring Freedom also known as the Afghanistan War.

1998, the US was concerned with a so called Fatwa issued by Terrorist Usama Bin Laden. A Fatwa is a Islamic religious ruling, a scholarly opinion on a matter of Islamic law. This so-called Fatwa issued by Usama Bin Laden called called on all Muslims to kill Americans. Albright then states in the cable, “We have raised this issue with the Taliban both in Kabul and in New York (United Nation)” Albright further states, “We are confident EU members share this concern“. “We believe there is merit in the Taliban realizing this concern is not limited to the U.S.” Posts are requested to draw from the talking points and convey them to the appropriate host countries a.s.a.p.

Brief Documentary On Evidence Against Usama Bin Laden And The Taliban:

In 1996 Bin Laden left Sudan an made his headquarters in Afghanistan. The Taliban assumed host to Terrorist Usama Bin Laden via consolidating control of southern Afghanistan. The Taliban pledge to shut down camps but would soon renege on this pledge. At this time, the Taliban also took control of a number of Terrorist training camps. The U.S. also wanted the Taliban to expel Bin Laden. The Taliban would not co-operate with the U.S. in their demands to expel Bin Laden but instead stated they would “Control” Bin Laden. U.S. officials wanted action taken by the Taliban against Bin Laden for his self styled Fatwa urging Muslims to attack U.S. interests, including civilians, and the interests of countries allied with the U.S. Taliban Officials refused demands from the U.S. against Bin Laden. Terrorist training camps continued to operate in Taliban controlled areas. Operation of these camps are as follows: Free passage to Islamic Extremists is allowed to a from these facilities via Taleban facilitation. In 1997, Bin Laden visited camps near Knowst in eastern Afghanistan. During Bin Laden’s visit to these camps, he issued public anti-U.S. statements. These statements were a warning that Bin Laden would not stop hsi struggles until he had expelled all Americans from Saudi Arabia. The U.S. had evidence that senior Taliban Leaders were in close contact with Usama Bin Laden. The evidence presented itself in Bin Laden’s financing of a large residential compound adjacent to the provincial Governor’s house in Qandahar in 1997. As long as Bin laden is a quest in Qandahar, the Taliban must share responsibility for his inflammatory remarks and Terrorist actions.

SUMMARY:

This Diplomatic cable proves that the US government received intelligence on a Terrorist threat by Usama Bin Laden. According to Albright, this issue/intelligence was later shared with New York (United Nations) when she stated “We have raised this issue with the Taliban both in Kabul and in New York“. According to the diplomatic cable, Usama Bin Laden was labeled a Terrorist back in 1998. Evidence provided by the cable states that the U.S. government were aware of the Terrorist camps in Afghanistan and the Taliban support of those camps. This cable was created March 3, 1998. August 7, 1998 hundreds of people were killed in simultaneous truck bomb attacks at the United States embassies in East African Capitals of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. This event became known as the 1998 United States Embassies Bombings. Usam Bin Laden then became officially listed as a Terrorist. This was Usama Bin Ladens first attack against the U.S. The United Nations and U.S. government had 5 months prior awareness of possible attacks on Americans and U.S. interest, yet the bombings of the U.S. Embassies could not be prevented even with early intelligence. Three years of prior knowledge about the Taliban, Usama Bin Laden, and threats of Terrorism against Americans. September 11, 2001, Bin Laden’s agenda was carried out against the U.S. Again 3 years prior knowledge of possible attacks against Americans and U.S. interests. 9/11 could not be prevented.  Is there sufficient evidence that the U.S. could have prevented 9/11 and the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings? Hopefully this diplomatic cable will help answer that question.

In summary, I think we can all agree that there is sufficient evidence provided via this cable that 9/11 and the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings could have been prevented if it were not for U.S. and U.N. failure, neglect, mis-handling of pre-9/11 intelligence.

Special thanks to Wikileaks, About.com, & Wikipedia