To catch bin Laden [at Tora Bora], the CIA was left to lean on local tribesmen,
a slender reed. NEWSWEEK recently interviewed two of the three tribal chiefs
involved in the operation, Hajji Zahir and Hajji Zaman. They claimed that the
CIA overly relied on the third chieftain, Hazrat Ali—and that Ali was paid off
(to the tune of $6 million) by Al Qaeda to let bin Laden slip away. Ali could
not be reached for comment. But Crumpton, who admits that he has no hard
evidence, told NEWSWEEK he is “confident” that a payoff allowed Al Qaeda to
escape. Unsure which side would win, some tribesmen apparently hedged by taking
money from both sides.
Since it isn't accurate to say that we have won, it could be said that they still don't know who is going to win. If they still don't know who is going to win, they could be playing both sides to this day. It has been a statement I have made in the past, and it is a statement I am making again. I don't think that Bin Laden went anywhere. Before I pointed out how easy it would have been for him to retreat deep into the cave system and remain hidden. It would be far easier to do this than actually attempt to flee across open land where he might be seen. It is that much easier if you have paid off contacts that can look the other way - or cover for you.
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