Amir Taheri writes about some confused British reactions to the London bombings:
The daily The Independent (which opposed the wars to liberate Afghanistan and Iraq) reminded its readers the day after the London attack of what Osama bin Laden had said a year ago: “If you bomb our cities, we shall bomb your cities.” The writer added: There you go!
Was the confused writer referring to Afghanistan and Iraq?
If yes, did he not know that bin Laden could under no circumstances claim ownership of either Afghanistan or Iraq? No one in either nation, including those who might hate the West for whatever reason, would regard the Saudi-born fugitive as a compatriot, let alone a spokesman.
Twenty-four hours later, Ayatollah Imami Kashani used the Independent article in his Friday prayer sermon in Tehran to support the claim that the British deserved to die in large numbers….
Afghanistan and Iraq now have elected leaders who can, and do, speak on behalf of their peoples with authority. In both Kabul and Baghdad, the attack in London has been condemned in no uncertain terms. But would the Independent quote Presidents Hamid Karzai and Jalal Talabani rather than bin Laden? Not a chance.
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