Senate Votes To Fund "Unnecessary" OBL Unit

September 07, 2006 3:53 PM

Zach Wolf and Jason Ryan Report:

Abc_gma_binladen_060423_nr_1The Senate today voted unanimously to allocate $200 million for the Osama bin Laden unit that the CIA closed earlier this year in a reorganization of its efforts against al Qaeda.

The CIA decision to close the unit did not stop North Dakota Democrats Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad from introducing the amendment to fund the unit geared toward hunting bin Laden and other high-profile al Qaeda targets.

The amendment received a unanimous 96-0 vote.

CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield said the agency remained "fully engaged" in the hunt for bin Laden and that "more resources, not less" have been committed, with the "most experienced bin Laden experts at the CIA fully engaged." 

Mansfield said Alec Station had been closed as part of a "reorganization, not a reduction" of CIA resources.  He said the agency had to reorganize to take into account the many new groups that had aligned themselves with al Qaeda.

Speaking to reporters after the amendment passed, both Senators bristled at the question, "Why are you funding a program the CIA said this summer it no longer needs?"

"There are people in the intelligence community that disagree with that assessment, and we disagree with that assessment. The top leadership of al Qaeda is still out there," said Conrad.

"There is no question that you diminish the focus on capturing these guys when you dismantle the unit," said Dorgan.

"That is a canard," the CIA spokesman said.

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September 7, 2006 in Osama bin Laden | Permalink | User Comments (16)

User Comments

And the incumbents wonders why they are at risk of losing so many congressional races this year....

Posted by: Geoff | Sep 7, 2006 5:06:20 PM

Pakistanis are making a fool out of US and US continue to be fooled by Pakistanis. I always wonder how come the smartest people in US administration, FBI and CIA are being continuously fooled by Pakistan? It’s strange that no one in US administration, FBI and CIA ever wonder that it's been 5 years since 9/11 and US's "so called close ally on war on terror", Pakistan, has yet to find a single slightest clue about whereabouts of bin laden and jawahiri, in spite of the fact that everyone know that they are hiding in the porous and mountainous rugged terrain bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hard-line Islamic elements in Pakistan's military (which are almost 99.99% of Pakistan's military), it's entire intelligence service and the local population in that region is supporting bin laden and jawahiri and that's why US is not able to get to them. Pakistan don't want to hunt for bin laden and jawahiri rigorously because Pakistan very well know that until bin laden and jawahiri and pro-taliban militants are there in that region, they will continue to get US support and hundreds of millions of dollars in financial and military aid and it's now time for US to tell Pakistan that either you get bin laden and jawahiri before the 5th anniversary of 9/11 or our military will come in. Every time Pakistanis arrest someone they say that he may have whereabouts of bin laden and jawahiri. The fact is neither Pakistan nor US are any closer to get a single slightest clue about whereabouts of bin laden and jawahiri. US must get it's military in the lawless region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan on the ground and start hunting for bin laden and jawahiri rigorously. Then only there are “chances” that US "may" get them in next 2 years, and I say that there are “chances” that US “may” get them only because if US military goes in there then it’s going to be an all out revolt in Pakistan and there is a high possibility that hardline Islamic extremists and terrorists will take over Pakistan and most importantly it’s nukes. Although happening of this is highly unlikely since US and Israel has a very firm grip on all of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and an all out war and Islamic terrorists’ activities and their gurrilla warfare tactics against US military’s conventional warfare tactics. US must understand that the only help US military will get and can rely upon will be from it’s own human intelligence by infiltrating their organizations and networks. US must understand that it’s technologically advanced and sophisticated modern intelligence gathering techniques such as unmanned predator dronne vehicles are of absolutely no use in that region and weather. Before going in there US must understand that conventional warfare tactics, which US has a mastery in, will not yield anything in that war. Recent war of Israel and islamic terrorist organization hesbollah has proved that. US must understand that these terrorists enjoy an overwhelming support from local population which is heavily hostile to US, over
and above of that hard-line Islamic elements in Pakistan’s military and it’s entire intelligence service is supporting these terrorists and will continue to support them, further these terrorists are very well trained, armed, equipped and funded by Saudi, UAE, Quatar and Iran’s “black gold, oil money”. They know the rugged and tough mountainous terrain very well because it's their home ground and they have been there for the last so many years, so it will be extremely difficult to beat them in their own territory. But US must take this risk because it’s worth it and further if US keeps on "outsourcing" the job of hunting for bin laden and jawahiri to Pakistani military then US will never ever get those two.

Posted by: Raju Vallamulai | Sep 7, 2006 5:24:48 PM

Just get the SOB, and as many of his kind as possible. And don't go arresting anyone; just get rid of them and to hell with martyrdom. It's overrated.

Posted by: Dave Patterson | Sep 7, 2006 6:20:51 PM

Develop more contacts within Pakastain, get more info.
Develop mountain crumbling bombs.
But most of all, all true Americans
must support our goverment to fund these operations, because next time,
it might be more than one atomic bomb that blasts our free society to pieces.
the end

Posted by: larry | Sep 7, 2006 9:09:11 PM

I too have given up on chasing Osama Bin Laden - How soon can I expect my $200 million ??? Standard US currency only = please - No North Korean facimiles

Posted by: Wayne P. | Sep 7, 2006 9:16:25 PM

Assume we take out Has Bin Laden and Zawahri ... do you think we'd still maintain the high state of alert in government and in (presumably) the general population? I doubt it ... people will wonder why it'll be necessary once we have the top guys. So, having them still out there provides reason to keep ourselves ready and alert, especially considering how amorphous and tenacious terrorists can be.

Posted by: Francis | Sep 7, 2006 9:41:52 PM

Bin Laden is dead and has been for quite a while. That is why he never appears in any recent videos. As far as "experts" verifying his voice on tape? Well they have never been wrong before have they?

Posted by: Rich Calkins | Sep 7, 2006 10:32:34 PM

It's been reported that bin Laden has kidney problems and requires dialysis. It would seem feasible to me that anyone that requires dialysis would need support for that kind of sophisticated machinery. Why can't we just follow the medical trail in order to locate him?

Posted by: John | Sep 8, 2006 9:26:30 AM

The bad guys forget that the usa is a warior nation and for once it is lead by a warior president.
Go hunt them down, smoke 'em out do what you want; just get them.You are on your own the French are busy stabbing you and their mates the Germans,God Bless America. Hey and Scotland as well!!

Posted by: derek | Sep 8, 2006 11:27:18 AM

I agree with some of the comments/ This is the biggest bunch of bull.... that I have heard.

Posted by: ejohnson | Sep 8, 2006 3:10:44 PM

Why doesn't GW just call his oil well partner - Osama's brother - and ask him where OBL is? Maybe he can go hunting with Cheney.....

Posted by: Arturo | Sep 8, 2006 6:14:37 PM

OBL is like Lee Harvey Oswald. Someone just to distract your attention.

Bush is right about one thing...This "war" is bigger than OBL. However, I assure you the answer is not going to be found in IRAQ.... (other than oil).

Posted by: complacent | Sep 9, 2006 11:46:03 AM

Emmanuel Goldstein = OBL Mr. Orwell wast just about twenty years off on his title.

Posted by: Steve | Sep 10, 2006 10:41:42 PM


.....more pork monies going for more nothingness.
I recall the words from Ronald Regan, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" Clearly we all could use a new agenda............ as well as a fresh face in office..(hopefully not Hilary's).

Posted by: dreek | Sep 12, 2006 12:50:42 PM

many democrats are so dedicated to win back congress. they would sacrefice our armed forces. they proved that in connetcut by not funding & backing sen liberman.they sent other democrats a message vote our way or we will cut you.

Posted by: woody woodham | Sep 12, 2006 5:10:51 PM

I don't know exactly what to say except that this "war on terror", is to complex for even Bush to understand let alone the general public or media. THE ONLY ONES THAT TRULY UNDERSTAND ARE THE SOLDIERS THAT SEE DEATH EVERY DAY. How are there ever any answers about any war? The only legitimate answer is, live or die. I prefer to live.

Posted by: brent | Sep 13, 2006 9:38:28 PM

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