Saddam and the Taliban

Ray Robison has translated a recent Docex document regarding diplomatic relations between Iraq and the Taliban, which if correct sounds pretty intriguing. At one point the conversation reportedly goes like this:

We already believe that there are no points of disagreement between us and the Taliban because we are both in one trench facing the world’s oppression. But the details of the relation and its management are linked to the facts of the international situation. I find that by simply meeting with you (Fadl Ur Rahman) is a step forward in the relation with Taliban because we know well how much they trust you and what you represent for them. And when you relay our point of view for them they will understand it. For the future we think that we will arrange relations between us, as an intelligence service, and them in a SECRET (translator’s emphasis) way to establish the strong base of this relation.

This brings to mind the comments made in the Uday Hussein controlled al-Nassiriya newspaper several months before 9/11:

July 21 -- Iraq -- The state-run Iraqi newspaper Al-Nasiriya publishes an opinion piece written by Naeem Abd Muhalhal. This piece praises Osama bin Laden and includes the following, which James Woolsey has interpreted (in testimony before Judge Baer) as a "vague" foreshadowing of the 9/11 attacks: bin Laden "continues to smile and still thinks seriously, with the seriousness of the Bedouin of the desert about the way he will try to bomb the Pentagon after he destroys the White House." The opinion piece also reads that “Bin Ladin is insisting very convincingly that he will strike America on the arm that is already hurting.”

But document translations can be found all over the web, used like trebuchets by the warring parties in the Saddam conspiracy war. Consider this one, which suggests Uday Hussein knew the date of the 9/11 attack in June 2001 and informed the Russian government. Had Uday actually known in June that's significant, since KSM indicated in testimony that he wasn't told until August 2001. Reader beware.

If nothing else the released docuements provide continuing evidence that Iraq was more than happy to work with terrorist groups to reach their goals. After all, the mother of all battles was still raging.

TRIAL PART DEUX? 4/2/06

Word this morning is that formal charges could be brought against Saddam for the Halabja chemical attack in the 80s, and the trial could actually start next month.

This is interesting for a few reasons. Previous reports indicated that if Saddam was found guilty of the current charges, there would be no need to bring follow-on charges--they could just call in the hangman and get it other with.

Do they know something we don't about the outcome?

Also, the current presiding judge is a native of Halabja. Most might see that as a conflict of interest--we know Saddam's legal team certainly will.