September 27, 2006

Whacking a Bee-Hive with a stick (part III)

In my own, admittedly less than scientific manner, I have traced the route of the development of the Bin Laden threat to our country, starting before 1993 and headed up to 1998 (Part I), through the impeachment hearings and election of the Bush Administration (Part II).

I think I made it clear, through news articles, that while there may be arguments that Clinton didn’t do enough, that there’s little argument he recognized the threat Bin Laden represented, and had taken steps to deal with it. I also think it’s clear that the Clinton Administration tried desperately to bring the newly elected Bush administration up to speed.

Many, looking back, criticize Clinton for not taking military action after the Cole. But,. it’s important to understand that the Cole bombing happened at this transition between the Clinton and Bush White House. The initial bombing happened in October 12, 2000 – right before the election. While Bin Laden was almost immediately thrown in to the suspect list, he wasn’t alone on that list. On January 16, 2001, days before Bush took office, there was still no conclusive link to Bin Laden. It wasn’t until March 1, 2001, that Bin Laden publicly praised the bombers, though still came short of admitting involvement.

So, now lets look at the start of the Bush administration’s response (culled mostly from the Whitehouse Site Archives. One method I used was to see where Bin Laden was mentioned in the Press Briefings. Another was to look at archives at CNN around significant events.)

February 5th, 2001.

…are charged with worldwide conspiracy associated with Osama bin Laden to kill Americans and to destroy American property; so I wonder what steps President Bush is going to take to counter terrorism?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm going to, for the moment, refer that question to Mary Ellen, to the Department of Defense.

More time was spend discussing the ‘vandalism’ of the white house.

February 27th, 2001.

Q …are ready to hand over Osama bin Laden to Saudi Arabia if the United States would drop its sanctions... Do you have any comments?

MR. FLEISCHER: Let me take that and get back to you on that.

Even though, on March 1, Bin Laden praised the Cole Bombings, there was no mention of this by the Bush Whitehouse, either in the Press Gaggle or any of Bush’s many speeches.

Bush’s radio address that weekend, 2 days after Bin Laden’s message, was about Social Security, Medicare, and tax cuts
.
Next time Bin Laden is mentioned, specifically, in the Press briefing is May 31, 2001

...also, what we are doing really, this administration or President Bush, to bring now the main, Osama bin Laden, maybe this opens the way for him -- for the U.S. to bring him to justice in America?

MR. FLEISCHER: That's a question I think you want to talk to the Department of Justice about...

On June 20, 2001 Bin Laden threatened to assassinate Bush.

On June 21, Bush Commends the DOJ on the investigation into the 1996 Bombings of the Khobar Towers.

On June 23, 2001, the military is put on alert, citing credible evidence Bin Laden and his followers are planning an attack.

That same day, Bush’sradio address was on Cloning.

On June 25th, Bush was pitching his Faith Based plan.

July 2, 2001, at a Press Briefing.

Q The murderous Osama bin Laden has threatened Israel and the United States in the next two weeks to, in his words, hit them where it hurts the most ... the President realizes that these are two legitimate presidential precedents for his taking military action, doesn't he, Ari?

MR. FLEISCHER: I can't speak to the history, Les --

Q You know the history, you went Middlebury College, they have a good history Department. You know the history. Now, was that, in the President's view, wrong what they did?

MR. FLEISCHER: They also teach foreign languages there. Les, I don't discuss military options.

Q No, no, no, I just want to know, does he think that these are not good presidential precedents?

MR. FLEISCHER: The President will take action that he deems appropriate in national security interests.

Then, there is some action. On July 4th, 2001, President Bush, after almost 7 months in office, extended the property blocking order Clinton established against the Taliban.

On July 6, 2001, The FBI decides not to return to Yemen to further it’s investigation, because of disagreement with the State Department.

That same day, Bush went golfing with his dad.

On July 7, 2001, Bush’s radio address was on Education.

On July 13, 2001, Condoleezza Rice lays out a 6 month review of Bush’s achievements in ‘Foreign Policy and national Security’. No mention of Bin Laden, or terrorism. The closest is a comment on ‘missile defense’ and Weapons of Mass destruction.

August 8, 2001, Bush takes a break from his vacation, to address the nation. On Stem Cells.

August 11, still on vacation, Bush gives a radio address. Also on Stem Cells.

August 14, Bush gives a statement on the violence between Israel and Palestine. From the lunch line at a YMCA.

On August 31, the FBI planned a returned to Yemen after 3 months off the investigation.

The next time Bin Laden is mentioned, is September 12, 2001.

Comments:
Posted by Henry at 10:34 PM || Link to me || More Thoughts (0) || Track this post (0) || Category:: Bush and Co, Just Left On