Bin Laden may have just died

[tik]

Originally Posted by jwdd27

He's 49 years old, which I wouldn't call old, and I would have thought he could afford a doctor or two in his entourage. Waiting for him to die of old age could take a while.

But you're right in that it's the people affiliated to him, scattered across the globe, who should be tracked down more urgently.

So what do we do now?

[jsavimbi]

Originally Posted by spaceboy

Actually you have no idea what you are talking about. The French anti-terrorist and intelligence arm is one of the best in the world.

Yeah, that's why they've been unable (unwilling) to keep ETA out of it's safe havens in French Basque Country. Care to tell me about that?

[jsavimbi]

Originally Posted by spaceboy

Sure Jonas next time I'm in Boston. When was the last active ETA op? Also please be aware of the facts:

March 22, 2006: ETA have declared a ceasefire after nearly 40 years fighting for independence from Spanish and French authorities. Euskadi Ta Askatasuna has decided to declare a permanent ceasefire as from 0000 (2300GMT) on 24 March 2006.

40 years...and still strong enough to bring a government to the negotiating table...I read Spanish newspapers every day (el mundo, el pais and abc). I'm not swayed by a ceasefire who's only purpose is the get HB legalized again.

How long ago was the Good Friday Agreement? 1997? The IRA may be laying low, but forced the British gummint's hand pretty well, and ETA took their cues from there.

[jsavimbi]

Originally Posted by spaceboy

I thought we were talking about FRANCE? Most of the ETA's ops were in Spain and their is a reason for that.

Punch yourself in the nuts.

Good. ETA's tactics are to form "commandos" that operate independently in Spanish cities. Once they've completed their mission, or the po-po is hip to them, they disappear across the border into France where their logistics and finances are located. The French tolerate this. They probably even encourage it. For 40 years.

Don't even get me started on the number of ETA prisoners who have "walked out" of jail in France.

They might be good at something, but hunting down terrorist is not their forte.