August 20, 1998: “Good afternoon. Today I ordered our Armed Forces to strike at terrorist-related facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan because of the imminent threat they presented to our national security,” said President Bill Clinton.
“Two weeks ago, 12 Americans & nearly 300 Kenyans & Tanzanians lost their lives, & another 5,000 were wounded when our embassies in Nairobi & Dar es Salaam were bombed,” said Clinton. Intel community said it was bin Laden’s network. Read full address: clintonwhitehouse6.archives.gov/1998/08/1998-0…
August 20, 1998: U.S. air strikes hit Al-Qaeda training camp in Zhawar Kili Al-Badr, Khost Province, AFG
It was not known if bin Laden & his fellow Arab terrorists were in Khost at time but NSC endorsed strike anyway
Attack on Afghanistan was later justified under UN Article 51
August 1998 attack on AFG by US forces was aimed at preempting more attacks by alQaeda
Operation Infinite Reach took weeks to plan, missiles passed Pakistani airspace. But PAK was notified only 10 minutes before attack since Clarke didn’t trust ISI (the MI6 trained intel agency)
August 21, 1998: “Afghanistan’s reaction to US airstrikes follows predictable lines: Taliban are angry, their opponents support US”
Mullah Abdul Hye Mutmain, Taliban’s Kandahar-based spokesperson said US air strike killed 30, injured. US embassy estimated between 15-65 killed.
August 22, 1998: Mullah Omar’s talked with State Dept about US air strike on Khost.
Omar listened to US reason for attacking AFG. “While he was no way threatening, he claimed that the strikes could spark more terrorist attacks. He asked for evidence of bin Laden involvement.
August 22, 1998: Mullah Omar had a conference call with SA/PAB Director Michael Malinowski.
This is the first recorded conversation with founder of Taliban and a US official.
Read the summary of conference call. Malinowski told Mullah Omar target of attack was not the Taliban.
“Mullah Omar said that in order to rebuild U.S. popularity in the Islamic world and because of his current domestic political difficulties Congress should force Pres Clinton to resign.”
He had no evidence Bin Laden “engaged in or planned terrorist attacks while on Afghan solid.”
“Omar’s contract with a USG official is rather remarkable, given his reclusive nature and his past avoidance of contact with a things America.”
“Taliban, despite implying that we should initiate the contact, are interested in a dialogue with us on Bin Laden.”
Thread by Mariam A
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