Did the Oklahoma bomber have help from al-Qa’ida’s explosives expert?
Richard Clarke’s book Against All Enemies has not just pushed the Bush administration deep on to the defensive over its approach to terrorism. It also pokes a stick into another hornet’s nest by asking whether the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was not in some way linked to al-Qa’ida.
Nobody, least of all Mr Clarke, is suggesting that al-Qa’ida carried out the bombing, which was pinned primarily on Timothy McVeigh, with help from his old army buddy Terry Nichols. But his book stirs up some troubling unanswered questions about Mr Nichols’ many trips to the Philippines in the years preceding the bombing and raises the possibility that he received explosives training from Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the first World Trade Centre bombing in 1993.
Mr Clarke notes that both Yousef and Nichols were in Cebu City, a hotbed of activity by the radical Filipino group Abu Sayyaf, on the same days, and that Nichols continued to make phone calls to Cebu for some time afterwards.
“Could the al-Qa’ida explosives expert have been introduced to the angry American who proclaimed his hatred for the US government?” Mr Clarke writes. “We do not know, despite some FBI investigation. We do know that Nichols’s bombs did not work before his Philippine stay and were deadly when he returned.”
I recall there being whispered talks about the possiblity of involvment by Middle-Eastern terrorist — but it didn’t seem like a lead that was being seriously pursued at the time. There are quite a few theories floating around regarding the OKC bombings – more notably that it wasn’t just Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols involved in carrying out the tragic incident.
Conspiracy theories abound!
Other sources of interest:
The 3rd terrorist: Mideast tie to OKC bombing
Oklahoma Bombing Investigation Committee
OKC Bombing – Pre-cursor to 9/11?
9/11 Plotter Linked to OKC
Oklahoma City Bombing and the Middle East
Specter asks probe of Iraq links to WTC-Okla. attacks
I remember those whispers – -
Shouldn’t there be an investigation and hearings in which the administration who was in office in 1995 is asked numerous questions about this and what they could have and should have done to prevent this bombing? Shouldn’t they have to answer some major questions? They certainly have no problem making GW responsible for 9/11 which happened eight months after he was elected and they never seem to recall the eight years Clinton and the administration they represent was in office.
You’re right conspiracy theories abound – - and won’t stop for some time.
Everything was just too neat and orderly about that arrest and conviction. If I didn’t know better, I would think Hoover conducted it.
Was GB#1 held accountable for the 1993 WTC bombing? Umm..no, and it happened only one month into Clinton’s presidency. Lord knows I am no fan of Clinton and was hoping for better under this administration but COME ON. I am so tired of GWB’s incessant whining and absolute refusal to take any responsibility. Is everyone around him a lefty pinko terrorist backstabbing supporter of Kerry? If that is really true–and come on, it’s not–should we not question his judgement about his staff? I would believe now GWB is a dangerous man who has completely divorced reality, if indeed they even had a nodding acquaintance. Clinton was no prize and Kerry is a typical waffling politician, but GWB is someone who cannot even take any responsibility for his own actions and tries constantly to pin blame on others. If he were a Democrat you’d be crying impeachment and you know it. I am sure you will tar me with every epithet in your puny arsenal–Saddam-lover, baby-killer, terrorist, Democrat, French–or is it Spanish now? I don’t care. You all can pat yourselves on your backs and pretend to be patriots, but I know you’re what’s really wrong with our nation, with your stupid pathetic refusal to see what’s in front of your face. I am sure I will hear a spate of responses to my “pre-emptive attack,” and I do check this site from time to time, for a laugh. Forgive me if I stamp a huge Mission Accomplished banner across this missive and call it victory.
kb- what is it that you are looking for them to take responsibilty for? Why are you not asking questions about the 1st bombing? Is GWB pinning blame on others? I have not heard him, nor his staff say anything of this nature. I find it funny that you too are so quick to pass judgement on the rest of us, and come here for your laughs occasionally, when in reality, you are part of the problem, and not part of the solution. Take care
kb,
I kind of agree with you, kind of.
I think hindsight is 20/20, and to blame either Clinton or Bush for 9/11 just isn’t rational.
Ted
well kb, the thing is, we are not failing to see what’s in front of us, but we are not making things up as we go and sticking it in everyone else’s face… and your right, your opinion cares no weight with me, because you start out attacking, not debating or even presenting a different point of view than the others who come here looking for a fight… so forgive me if I don’t take your bate.
I live by a standard set by the bible and truth and I see my world as black and white, not shades of gray as most liberals do, and they do, so I weigh comments like yours and a few others with that standard and I find it very lacking in principal and moral comprehension… so therefore, and it maybe arrogance on my part, but I dismiss your drivel as such and go about my day with out a wisp of a thought about your rudeness, go somewhere else, because you won’t get no comedy from me.
You Go Madbarr!!
thanks terrye…
Now take a deep breath madbarr