a berlin blog


Monday, October 18, 2004
 

Bin Laden está en China

Sounds like a joke; maybe it is. But the Madrid newspaper El Mundo argues that Osama bin Laden is hiding in the Muslim far west of China. Marc has a full translation:
Last summer, bin Laden finalized a treaty with the government in Beijing, in which the latter would guarantee safety for bin Laden, while he would guarantee the cessation of the guerilla war by Chinese Muslims against the Chinese government ... Ever since the arrival of the Saudi Arabian bin Laden, the region has been relatively tranquil, and the Muslims living there have been permitted to traffic in human beings and drugs.

This could easily be true; at least it doesn't sound like self-serving propaganda for any particular side. The rest of the story has a rather different smell:
... Now bin Laden could find himself trapped in his hole if an extraordinary agreement between Beijing and Washington bears fruit. It would mean China would extradite to the U.S. the most sought-after terrorist in the world.

The capture of Osama bin Laden would virtually guarantee the re-election of George Bush Jr., and would confirm to the millions of undecided voters in the U.S. that the war on terrorism was justified after bin Laden authorized the attacks of Sept. 11 against New York and Washington.

Yes, well, who knows. Beijing may also want Kerry to be President. Or the story may be bunk. But if Bin Laden turns up conveniently before November 2, Radio Free Mike readers will at least know where to squint.

posted by Michael Scott Moore | 12:00 AM
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