State Dept. warns of possible retaliation for U.S. operation against terrorist leader
By Miriam Raftery
May 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Local leaders reacted with shock, joy, and relief to last night’s news that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces.
“It gives us certainly some hope,” Abdi Mohamoud, executive director of the Horn of Africa center in San Diego, told East County Magazine. Mohamoud, whose center serves African refugees and asylees including many Muslims from war-torn Somalia, added that “Al Shabaab, an affiliate of Al Qaeda which is burning down the whole country of Somalia, is a byproduct of this man, so it is a pain that is constantly with the refugees.”
He added that most people don’t realize the majority of bin Laden’s victims have been Muslims in their own countries. Asked if he believes bin Laden’s death increases the prospect of peace in Somalia, he replied, “Eventually. It is a slight step toward peace in our country.”
A Jewish reader from East County, who asked that her name not be published, made this observation. ” Isn’t it an fitting that on Yom Ha’Shoa, the day people around the world light candles to remember those murdered in the Holocaust, this mass murderer should be killed?” She also voiced concern for the safety of children from a local Jewish school who are currently en route to the holy lands in Israel.
The U.S. State Department today warned U.S. citizens of possible retaliation and advised Americans abroad to avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.
U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who was Senator from New York when the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred, observed that while nothing can make up for the loss of the victims, “I hope their families can now find some comfort in the fact that justice has been served.”
Speaking in Afghanistan, Clinton also issued a statement directed to the Taliban. “You cannot defeat us. But you can make the choice to abandon al-Qaeda and participate in a peaceful political process.” She added, “At a time when the people across the Middle East and North Africa are rejecting the extremist narratives and charting a path of peaceful progress, based on universal rights and aspirations, there is no better rebuke to al-Qaeda and its heinous ideology.”
Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray from San Diego called the death of bin Laden “a great victory” for the U.S. He added, “Former President Bush, President Obama, the men and women of the armed forces, and especially the United States special forces should be commended for their bravery and determination to seek justice no matter how long it takes.”
Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis of San Diego also praised the military men and women, adding, “So many lives have been lost and forever changed in the fight to stop Al Qaeda.” She said death of bin Laden brings a “collective relief but also a collective resolve to put an end to terrorists that seek to undo our freedoms.” She called the news “a moment to carry on the hope people share around the world in support of freedom and justice.”
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista)called bin Laden’s death “a fitting end to the world’s most notorious terrorist” but noted that other dangerous terrorists remain at large.
Republican Duncan D. Hunter from El Cajon, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, called the operation “well coordinated and executed” noting that bin Laden’s death is the culmination of nearly a decade of “unrelenting pursuit.” He praised those who carried out the mission and others who contributed to the fight. While bin Laden’s death is “welcome news,” he added, “It does not signify the end of our mission or suddenly eliminate the terror threat. We are still at war and the fight in Afghanistan will continue.”
But Democrat Ray Lutz, who ran against Hunter in 2010, took an opposite view. “This should…help us reduce the $8 billion per month we are spending in Afghanistan significantly, and finally depart from Iraq, including the vast number of Blackwater-style mercenary contractors still there.” Lutz expressed disappointment that bi Laden was not captured alive to face trial. As for bin Laden being found in Pakistan, Lutz suggested that bin Laden may have been found sooner if former President George W. Bush had not withdrawn many troops from Afghanistan in order to launch a second war in Iraq based on “false information about weapons of mass information that were never found…With 20/20 hindsight, we have to conclude that Iraq was clearly the biggest military blunder in all recorded history.”
Barbara Cummings, a grandmother and peace activist in Spring Valley, said she is appalled at the “wild celebration” and added, “Illegal, immoral wars have been waged in three countries, hundreds of thousands killed, millions maimed, tens of millions displaced so that we can beat our chests in triumph?” Cummings has previously criticized expenditures on the wars while funding cuts have been made in domestic programs. “The mightiest nation on earth, the mightiest army, the most hi tech surveillance, hundreds of thousands of troops and mercenaries to find one man? Is it over now?” she asked. “Will we stop waging war on Afghanistan, Pakistan?”
John Weber, vice-president of community service, Student Veteran Organization at Grossmont College in El Cajon, offered this reaction.“Many of our student veterans are very pleased,” he said. “It is an excellent milestone in the right direction and brings closure to many military families affected by the events of September 11th. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the war on terrorism goes on and threats to our country’s security continue.”
Conservative talk radio host Rick Amato in San Diego called bin Laden’s death “a story of American exceptionalism that was greatly needed to repair our image and reputation around the world. “ He added in an e-mail to ECM, “bin Laden’s death marks a great day for the world…and the U.S. Navy SEALS deserve a great salute!” Amato earlier sent a photo on his listserve that purported to show bin Laden’s corpse. He later retracted the image as a fake. However multiple media sources now report that U.S. officials have indicated that they possess photos of bin Laden’s body, but have not yet decided whether to release them due to the gory nature of his lethal head wound.
Associated Press now reports that DNA testing confirmed the identity of bin Laden, which was also confirmed through multiple eye witnesses and other means. Bin Laden’s body was buried at sea in accordance with Islamic tradition, according to the Department of Defense.