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dc_dux · 09-25-2006, 01:14 PM

Perhaps Marv or UStwo will comment on these actions of Clinton v Bush, re: focus on bin Laden:

Quote:

March - June, 1998
CIA Develops a Capture Plan bin Laden at Tarnak Farms in Afghanistan, then vetos the plan after risk assessment and probabiitly of catching bin Laden deemed "low". Plan never presented to the White House.

http://www.9-11commission.gov/report/911Report_Ch4.htm

Aug. 20, 1998
Clinton orders Tomahawk missiles fired at a suspected Al Qaeda camp in Afghanistan and a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan, which was suspected of producing chemical weapons for bin Laden. The effectiveness of the strikes is later questioned.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9808/20/us.strikes.02/

Jan. 25, 2001
Richard Clarke, the National Security Council counterterrorism chief, sends a memo to Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley warning that Al Qaeda sleeper cells within the U.S. are “a major threat.” Clarke also advocates targeting Al Qaeda training camps in response to the Cole bombing.

"We urgently need . . . a Principals level review on the al Qida network."
Clarke's memo requests an immediate meeting of the National Security Council's Principals Committee to discuss broad strategies for combating al-Qaeda by giving counterterrorism aid to the Northern Alliance and Uzbekistan, expanding the counterterrorism budget and responding to the U.S.S. Cole attack.

Despite Clarke's request, there was no Principals Committee meeting on al-Qaeda until September 4, 2001.

http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB...B147/index.htm

http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB...rke%20memo.pdf

August 6, 2001
Bush received Presidential Daily Brief "bin Laden Determined to Strike in US".
In a single 17-sentence document, the intelligence briefing delivered to President Bush spells out the who, hints at the what and points towards the where of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington that followed 36 days later.

Administration takes no action.

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/...db8-6-2001.pdf

Sept. 11, 2001
Condi Rice has major foreign policy speeched planned, with primary focus on missle defense, with passing reference to terrorism and no mention of al queda

"National security adviser Condoleeza Rice planned to deliver a speech on September 11, 2001, about national security that said nothing about Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda or Islamic fundamentalist groups.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/...ech/index.html

SPEECH CANCELED

I think we all know the rest. We invade Afghanistan, with the support of the world, putting bin Laden and al Queda on the run.........we abandon the mission before its complete and invade Iraq.

Marv, Ustwo:
Agreed that certainly Clinton could have done more. But, can you point to anythng that demonstrates the Bush administration had its eyes on bin Laden and al Queda before 9/11/01 even with the warnings from Clarke and subsequent intelligence (PDB)?

If not, give it a rest.