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Contributor: Vox
Date: 2003-02-24 12:56:46
Kn_aeshap:
Regarding allegations that Al Qeada trained (and directed) the attacks on US troops in Somalia (recall that the US wanted to protect and organize distribution of food aid that was being looted by armed bands), much information was uncovered but not communicated to the public by the media. I am not sure why there was lack of effort but perhaps this is now partly responsible for the current disconnect between US authorities and the public (and other nations). Perhaps US authorities felt the information was too hot, too provocative and may create paranoia amongst some people who may act out against innocent Arabs. Perhaps the US did not want to be forced by public opinion to take firmer action. Perhaps they felt unprepared to act.
This information was well-known to US authorities way before 9/11 and you may recall that in the aftermath of 9/11, investigations eventually revealed all of the same details and posed the question of why the administration had not taken firmer action much sooner. One of the answers that I recall was that the alarm had been raised and the leaders were worried that something big would follow from what they knew but they were all reluctant to act. No one seemed to want to take the responsibility.
Now to give you the information you requested - A number of people and organizations have been indicted by the US on charges of terrorist activities. These people and organizations have also been indicted by the UN for similar reasons. You will find Canada's role in dealing with the matter at the following Canadian Legal Information website, where Canadian law documents may be found. The following URL will take you to the documents on "United Nations Suppression of Terrorism Regulations, [SOR/2001-360]":
http://www.canlii.org/ca/regu/sor1-360/
If you read the "Schedule (section 1 and 2)" you will find the names of the people and organizations being banned and subject to legal action. Amongst the names of individuals you should find the following:
Muhammed Atef
Saif Al Adel
Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah
Mushin Musa Matwalli Atwah
Fazul Abdullah
Ahmed Mohammed Hamed Ali
Mohamed Sadeek Odeh
Abu Ubaidah Banshiri
These individuals and the Al Qaeda were all named by CS-1 as having taken part in activities in Somalia that led to the attack on US troops. "Confidential Source One" (CS-1) was an Al Qaeda defector who was kept secret for years and who was subsequently named as Jamal Ahmed al-Fadl). You can obtain transcripts of his court (3) testimonies from this website at The Center for Nonproliferation Studies:
http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/binladen.htm
If you really want to see the words that identified Al Qaeda and its members as major conspirators and agents in the attacks on US troops in Somalia you should download and read the testimony given on Feb 6, 2001:
http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/pdfs/binladen/060201.pdf
Using Acrobat Reader, search on the word "Somalia" and go from there. You should also read the growing indictment against bin Laden. There you will find summaries of the charges against him, members of Al Qaeda and network of terrorists.
http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/pdfs/binladen/indict.pdf
It is very unfortunate that the public neither sees or wishes to investigate these matters. The details of the transcripts and indictment show the deliberate manner and deep-rooted mind-set of the people who planned and committed these acts.
Now as for television, nowadays I find TV shows, especially the US variety, all too often just rubbish if not totally objectionable. I do not own a working TV because it is not worth it. Movies are marginally better but I shudder to think of what it's all doing to young minds let alone to the rest of us. I also agree with your contention that the media recycle "negative memories" for profit. Perhaps many of us look for affirmation of our pet peeves or scapegoats, however misguided that may be.
Vox Canadiana
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