Chirac: Bin Laden intel not confirmed, by ELAINE GANLEY - AP

[applegrove]

Chirac: Bin Laden intel not confirmed
By ELAINE GANLEY,
Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 28 minutes ago


PARIS - "A leaked French intelligence document raises the possibility Osama bin Laden died of typhoid, but President Jacques Chirac said Saturday the report was "in no way whatsoever confirmed" and officials from Kabul to Washington expressed skepticism about its accuracy.

There have been numerous reports over the years that bin Laden had been killed or that he was dangerously ill, but the al-Qaida leader has periodically released audiotapes appealing to followers and commenting on current news events.

The regional French newspaper l'Est Republicain printed what it described as a copy of a confidential document from the DGSE intelligence service citing an uncorroborated report from a "usually reliable source" who said Saudi secret services were convinced that bin Laden had died.

The document, dated Thursday, was sent to Chirac and other top French officials, the newspaper said.

"This information is in no way whatsoever confirmed," Chirac said when asked about the document. "I have no comment."

.... SNIP"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060923/ap_on_re_mi_ea/france_bin_laden_report;_ylt=AvRSTpezAmGZr2x3wr47NW2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OTB1amhuBHNlYwNtdHM-

[tanyev]

1. No comment until mid-October.

[yellowdogmi]

2. Then it will be used to prove

that repukes are winning the war on terrah. Have I mentioned how much I hate these bastards yet.

[HuffleClaw]

3. they sure all jumped up real fast to deny this didn't they?

kinda too fast imo.

[IndianaGreen]

4. The West will not "confirm" until they have a DNA match (need OBL's body)

The report is based on an authenticated French intelligence document
\
The reason it has not been confirmed, and this is the language being used by the West, is because they don't know where OBL's body is buried. They will only confirm when they find OBL's grave and are able to make a positive DNA match. This may never happen!

The French intelligence report is based on a solid human intelligence source.

France's DGSE intelligence service has more credibility than our CIA, and if they say OBL is dead, he is dead.

Bush needs his Emmanuel Goldstein to remain alive for awhile longer.

Here is how the British The Independent reports the same story that the AP spins:

Bin Laden dead from typhoid, says rumour sweeping globe
By Raymond Whitaker
Published: 24 September 2006

A claim that Osama bin Laden, the elusive al-Qa'ida leader, may have died of typhoid in Pakistan last month touched off a storm of speculation around the world yesterday, followed by a stream of denials.

President Jacques Chirac of France, where the report originated, said it was "in no way whatsoever confirmed", and officials from Washington to Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, said there was no information to back it.

The French regional newspaper l'Est Republicain yesterday printed what was later confirmed as an authentic document from France's DGSE intelligence service. This said "according to a usually reliable source, Saudi security services are now convinced that Osama bin Laden is dead".

The chief of al-Qa'ida "was a victim of a severe typhoid crisis while in Pakistan on 23 August, 2006", it added. His geographical isolation meant that medical assistance was impossible, and his lower limbs were said to have paralysed. The Saudis were said to be seeking further information, including the place of Bin Laden's burial.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article1726058.ece