Both Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and Saddam Hussein's Fedayeen fighters are on a heightened state of alert as the Christian holy month of Advent begins today. There is some worry that the US and coalition forces may use Advent, a month long preparation for the birth of Jesus, as a pretense to step up on attacks.
Muslim Leaders Criticize Bin Laden Critics cite al-Qaeda head lacks leadership abilities
It has been more than two years since the World Trade Center collapsed and Osama bin Laden appeared on al-Jazeera television dressed in military fatigues, proclaiming "mission accomplished" and "death to America," yet some Muslim leaders think he may have spoken too soon.
Addressing a group of supporters in Ramallah last night, junior al-Qaeda leader Mohammad Zaid drew cheers from the crowd as he criticized bin Laden for a lack of leadership, "Bin Laden called America a `paper tiger' and promised us America would be crushed by the will of Allah. He lied! Where is this paper tiger? Where is this will of Allah? The will of Allah never existed! Bin Laden lied to us! He recklessly led us down the path to war and then went into hiding like a coward. He is a miserable failure!"
Zaid was not alone in his criticism. Abu Azzouzi, a petty officer for the PLO, appeared on al-Jazeera Sunday night and complained, "In the past two years, we've seen the collapse of both the Taliban and Saddam Hussein's regime. Yasser Arafat has been sidelined. Al-Qaeda members and other fighters are being arrested or killed in daily raids. Iranians are getting bolder in showing their distaste for the government. Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait started to hold elections. Even Saudi Arabia is cracking down on militants and making promises for democratic reform. This is not good. I hate to say it, but I'm afraid bin Laden and his rush to war got us involved in a quagmire."
Muslim leaders aren't the only ones criticizing bin Laden's policies. Rahma Saad, whose son Abdul blew himself up in a Baghdad marketplace, could not contain her anger towards the al-Qaeda chief. "He's sending young boys off to die and he doesn't even have a plan," Saad said. "My son was promised the glory of Allah, but now I'm not sure why he had to die. How many more of our sons will have to die?"
Osama bin Laden, shown here in September 2001, proclaimed "death to Amerca."
Newly unclassified documents reveal: BILL CLINTON AND TONY BLAIR HELD SECRET TALKS TO DISCUSS REUNIFICATION BETWEEN US AND BRITAIN
Then-American president Bill Clinton and British prime minister Tony Blair held a series of private meetings back in 1997 to discuss possible reunification between the two countries, newly released documents show.
"That whole war thing, you know, 1776, is water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned," Clinton is reported to have said. Blair allegedly responded with, "Well, we never wanted you to leave in the first place."
The two reportedly went on to discuss their admiration of each other's country: Clinton professed an undying love for the Rolling Stones while Blair admitted to taping Friends each week.
The talks fizzled out when the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke in early 1998.
While it's not quite clear what prompted these talks in the first place, one former White House staffer who requested anonymity suggested it may have had something to do with a British embassy worker named Fiona Childs.
"I used to sneak Fiona into the White House in the evenings," the staffer recalled, "The president used to call her a `fine piece of a--,' but she apparently only gave it up for British men. That was one of her rules. One night, I had the misfortune of walking in on them in the Oval Office. The president had his pants around his ankles and he was chasing her around the room, shouting in the worst cockney accent I ever heard."
Both American and British officials declined comment for this story and denied knowing anything about such talks.
Chanting slogans such as, "No Blood for Allah" and "Osama Kills, UN Heals," a crowd converged upon Damascus yesterday to protest the War on the West. The demonstration was organized by Please Don't Use Our Name, a Muslim activist group. According to its leader, Ibrahim Hasan, "We're here today to send a message that most Muslims don't agree with the warmongering bin Laden and his ilk."
While a few protestors carried paper mache effigies of the al-Qaeda leader, another activist was seen carrying a placard reading, "Yasser Arafat is a Wanker."
Demonstrator Hani Faraj complained, "I came to the protest with a sign which read `Stop Syria,' but I replaced all the S's with swastikas. As soon as the police saw it, they took it away and beat me."
Faraj wasn't the only protestor beaten. Syrian police and B'ath party loyalists disrupted the march and attacked the activists with chains.
Please Don't Use Our Name organizers estimated a turnout of 10,000. The Syrian government denied such an event took place.
Hillary Clinton to Become a Catholic Eye on Papacy in 2004
Sources close to Hillary Clinton have confirmed the New York senator is attending Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults (RCIA) classes at St. Margaret's Church in Chappaqua, NY.
In light of recent speculation concerning Pope John Paul II's failing health, rumors have been circulating among her fellow parishoners that the former first lady is considering a run for pope in the near future.
"On the first day of class, when we went around the room to introduce ourselves, Hillary seemed a little too preoccupied with the pope's health," observed classmate Elizabeth Ng.
Monsignor Edward O'Reilly, pastor of St. Margaret's, denied ever speaking with Clinton about her religious goals. "We did speak about her desire to join the Catholic community, but she never once spoke with me about ordination of any sort. Being she's a married woman, obviously, she can't become a priest or pope. Of course, if she ever wants to serve as a reader at mass, she's more than welcome."
Some of her supporters, however, were quick to point out many people also said a former first lady could never be elected to US Senate.
Clinton's people have not made any public statement concerning this matter, and refused comment when contacted.
Hillary Clinton involved in her ministry for the elderly
