#Huge street parties erupt in NYC, Washington, other American cities
6004 Dead, 1147 since 1/20/09
laden-dead-live
[OBL's death was announced 56 years to the day after Hitler's death was
announced, which I thought was a nice touch.]
Osama bin Laden is dead - reaction
• Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida mastermind, has been killed
• President Obama makes late night announcement
• US special forces involved in raid in Pakistan
• Huge cheering crowds in New York City greet news
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President Barack Obama after announcing the death of Osama bin Laden
Barack Obama announces the death of Osama bin Laden, from the East Room
of the White House. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters
1.47am ET: Reaction from a Taliban leader, from the Guardian's Jon Boone
in Kabul:
A Taliban commander, who escaped from Kandahar prison last week, has
just told The Guardian that he is "very sad" at the news because "the
Americans will be happy".
"In the Islamic countries Osama is a respected person I hope Muslims
join with us after this killing and stand beside us against the
Americans," he said, speaking by phone from an unknown location.
He warned that it would make no difference to the strength of the
insurgency inside Afghanistan. "We have lost thousands of people, but
every year we get stronger," he said.
"We do not rely on foreigners to fight or us. Almost 500 people
escaped with me from Kandahar prison and they were all Afghans, there
were no foreigners."
1.44am ET: The New York Times says the death of Bin Laden is "a defining
moment in the American-led war on terrorism".
What remains to be seen is whether it galvanizes his followers by
turning him into a martyr, or whether the death serves as a turning of
the page in the war in Afghanistan and gives further impetus to the Obama
administration to bring American troops home.
The death of Mr bin Laden came nearly 10 years after Al Qaeda
terrorists hijacked three American passenger jets and crashed them into
the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington. A
fourth hijacked jet crashed into countryside of Pennsylvania. Late Sunday
night, as the president was speaking, cheering crowds gathered outside
the gates of the White House shortly before midnight as word of Mr bin
Laden's death began trickling out, waving American flags, shouting in
happiness and chanting "USA! USA!" In New York City, crowds sang the Star-
Spangled Banner.
1.40am ET: Senator John McCain adds his congratulations on the news of
Osama's demise:
I am overjoyed that we finally got the world's top terrorist. The
world is a better and more just place now that Osama bin Laden is no
longer in it. I hope the families of the victims of the September 11th
attacks will sleep easier tonight and every night hence knowing that
justice has been done. I commend the President and his team, as well as
our men and women in uniform and our intelligence professionals, for this
superb achievement.
But while we take heart in the news that Osama bin Laden is dead, we
must be mindful that al-Qaeda and its terrorist allies are still lethal
and determined enemies, and we must remain vigilant to defeat them.
1.31am ET: My coleague Jon Boone in Kabul is tweeting all the reaction on
Twitter at @jon_boone
1.25am ET: The White House is confirming that Osama bin Laden's body is
in the possession of the US forces and is held at Bagram air base near
Kabul.
Ewen MacAskill
1.17am ET: Osama bin Laden was killed in a firefight with US special
forces, reports the Guardian's Ewen McAskill in a full account of the US
raid that hunted down and killed the world's most wanted man:
The trail that led the CIA to Osama bin Laden began with his most
trusted courier. It took the CIA years to first discover his name and
then the home where he was hiding bin Laden. But it took only 40 minutes
on Sunday for US special forces to kill both the courier and bin Laden.
Contrary to repeated speculation over the last decade that bin Laden
was living in one of the remote tribal areas of Pakistan or even across
the border in Afghanistan, the al-Qaida leader was found in an affluent
town near the Pakistan capital, Islamabad.
Senior US administration officials, briefing journalists in a late-
night teleconference, said that after 9/11 the CIA chased various leads
about bin Laden's inner circle, in particular his couriers. One of these
couriers came in for special attention, mentioned by detainees by his nom
de guerre and said to be one of the few couriers bin Laden trusted.
But officials said they were initially unable to identify him but
finally did four years ago. They did not disclose his name to reporters
Sunday night.
Two years ago, the CIA found the rough location where the courier and
his brother lived in Pakistan, and on August last year they narrowed it
down to a compound, in an affluent area about 35 miles north of Islamabad.
They realised immediately this was no normal residence. The walls
were 12-18ft high, topped with barbed wire. Access to the compound was
severely restricted. The main part of the residence was three storeys
high but had few windows. It was valued at about $1 million but had no
phone or internet connection. It was a custom-built terrorist hideaway.
Adding to their suspicions were that the two brothers had no known
source of income. The CIA learned too that there was a family living with
them and that this family matched bin Laden's.
By February, the CIA was confident this was likely bin Laden's hiding
place and in March Barack Obama began chairing a series of five national
security meetings. At the last of these, on April 29, he gave the order
to mount an operation.
The US military began planning. One of the senior administration
officials said: "The high walls made this a dangerous operation." It was
a surgical operation, he said, carried out by a small team and lasted
only 40 minutes.
Bin Laden and three males were killed, including the courier and his
brother, and bin Laden's son. Bin Laden resisted the US force and was
killed in a firefight, an official said.
One woman was injured while, an official said, she was being used as
a shield by one of the men, and two other women were also injured.
The US force ran into a problem with one of their helicopters which
had to be abandoned, but only after being destroyed by explosives set by
the American troops.
1.10am: Historical fact: the death of Adolf Hitler was also first
announced on 1 May (after his bunker-suicide on 30 April).
Jon Boone byline picture
1am ET: The Guardian's Jon Boone reports from Kabul on the reaction to
the news of Osama's death in Pakistan, and its possible impact on the
Taliban in Afghanistan:
In Kabul the mood among ordinary Afghans is subdued as the news still
sinks in, while Taliban spokesmen have refused to comment until they have
seen conclusive evidence that Bin Laden really is dead.
But analysts and officials have been quick to raise concerns that the
demise of Osama bin Laden could hasten the end of the huge US-led
military and development effort in Afghanistan.
"While thrilled to see the removal of the worst enemy of Islam who
inflicted irreparable damage to image of Islam and Muslims, my concern is
his death becomes the justification for US's premature disengagement from
the region," one senior Afghan government official
who specialises in foreign affairs said. "We should not forget the
sad reality that the region has suffered immensely from al-Qaida and the
early mistakes and policies of the West who helped his rise, though as an
unintended consequences. We should also remember he left a sophisticated
and extensive diffuse network in the region and thus the need to be
cautious."
So far there is no official government reaction, but Hamid Karzai is
likely to make a statement soon.
The news that bin Laden was allegedly living in some comfort in a
major Pakistani city plays into the hands of the Afghan president, who
has long criticised current Nato strategy with its emphasis on running a
counterinsurgency campaign inside Afghanistan. Karzai has instead argued
that the real threat to his country's security is from "terrorists" based
inside Pakistan and has repeatedly urged the Americans to take tougher
action there.
12.56am: "I congratulate President Obama" is the statement from British
prime minister David Cameron. This is via Number 10 Downing St:
The news that Osama Bin Laden is dead will bring great relief to
people across the world. Osama Bin Laden was responsible for the worst
terrorist atrocities the world has seen - for 9/11 and for so many
attacks, which have cost thousands of lives, many of them British. It is
a great success that he has been found and will no longer be able to
pursue his campaign of global terror. This is a time to remember all
those murdered by Osama Bin Laden, and all those who lost loved ones. It
is also a time too to thank all those who work round the clock to keep us
safe from terrorism. Their work will continue. I congratulate President
Obama and those responsible for carrying out this operation.
Crowds gather at Ground Zero to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden
Crowds gather at Ground Zero in New York shortly after Barack Obama
announced that a US military operation had killed Osama bin Laden.
Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA
12.55am ET: A huge crowd is now gathered at Ground Zero, the site of the
World Trade Centre 9/11 attacks, in New York City.
12.50am ET: There are conflicting reports about the involvement of
Pakistani intelligence and special forces. First reports indicated that
there was some involvement by Pakistan – but more detailed reports
suggest otherwise, that the planning and decision-making was taken in
Washington, and that Pakistani intelligence were not informed of the
target until after the event.
12.41am ET: An administration briefing revealed that the CIA had been
following the so-called "couriers" – a pair of brothers – for years, but
only two years ago found where they lived, in the town of Abbotabad 35
miles outside Islamabad.
The group lived in a large compound built in 2005, with 12ft high walls,
few windows, and with no phones or internet connection in an effort to
avoid detection. As well as the brothers, a family was living inside that
matched the profile of bin Laden's.
12.38am ET: More details on the raid that killed Osama – including the
news that bin Laden's adult son may also have been among those killed.
Senior adminstration officials in a late-night briefing said the full
operation lasted 40 minutes, with bin Laden killed alongside two of his
couriers and his son. Three women injured.
The US attackers lost a helicopter after a breakdown, leading to the US
military destroying it.
12.32am ET: Another reaction, this time from Republican Speaker of the
House, John Boehner:
This is great news for the security of the American people and a
victory in our continued fight against al Qaeda and radical extremism
around the world. We continue to face a complex and evolving terrorist
threat, and it is important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to
confront and defeat the terrorist enemy and protect the American people.
I want to congratulate – and thank – the hard-working men and women of
our Armed Forces and intelligence community for their tireless efforts
and perseverance that led to this success. I also want to commend
President Obama and his team, as well as President Bush, for all of their
efforts to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.
Crowds celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden outside the White House
Crowds celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden outside the White House.
Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
12.30am: MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is among the crowd on Pennsylvania Avenue
outside the White House, where thousands are now gathered to celebrate.
She says it's a bipartisan flash mob, and compares it to a college frat
party in terms of age and atmosphere.
Form what I can see, the closest comparison is to the scenes there
outside the White House on the night of Obama's election on 4 November
2008. On both nights the chants were "Yes we did!"
12.26am: Here's a statement from George Bush:
Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that
American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda
network that attacked America on September 11, 2001.
I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and
intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They
have our everlasting gratitude.
This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people
who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on
September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America
has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice
will be done.
12.16am ET: More details as they come in: the latest being that Osama bin
Laden was killed in a large mansion in a town called Abbotabad – about
two hours drive from the capital, Islamabad, a US source said on Sunday.
The compound was said to be just three blocks from a police station.
12.13am ET: There are incredible scenes in Times Square and Ground Zero,
New York City, and outside the gates of the White House, as crowds gather
to celebrate the news as it spreads.
That may be repeated in many other cities and towns across the US,
including fireworks.
There are reports of baseball fans breaking into cheers of "USA" at the
game between the New York Mets and the Phillies in Philadelphia tonight.
The celebrating crowd outside the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue is
seriously huge. There are hundreds down there, stretching into Lafayette
Park.
12.01am ET: Here's a statement from the mayor of New York City, Michael
Bloomberg:
After September 11, 2001, we gave our word as Americans that we would
stop at nothing to capture or kill Osama bin Laden. After the
contribution of millions, including so many who made the ultimate
sacrifice for our nation, we have kept that word.
The killing of Osama bin Laden does not lessen the suffering that New
Yorkers and Americans experienced at his hands, but it is a critically
important victory for our nation - and a tribute to the millions of men
and women in our armed forces and elsewhere who have fought so hard for
our nation.
New Yorkers have waited nearly ten years for this news. It is my hope
that it will bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved
ones on September 11, 2001.
Barack Obama confirms Osama bin Laden dead President Barack Obama reveals
the killing of Osama bin Laden on Sunday night. Photograph: AP
11.50pm ET: Here is the full transcript of Obama's statement tonight:
Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the
United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the
leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of
thousands of innocent men, women, and children.
It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by
the worst attack on the American people in our history. The images of
9/11 are seared into our national memory — hijacked planes cutting
through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the
ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of
Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic
citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.
And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the
world. The empty seat at the dinner table. Children who were forced to
grow up without their mother or their father. Parents who would never
know the feeling of their child's embrace. Nearly 3,000 citizens taken
from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.
On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came
together. We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our
blood. We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community
and country. On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we
prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one
American family.
We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring
those who committed this vicious attack to justice. We quickly learned
that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda — an organization
headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United
States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around
the globe. And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our
citizens, our friends, and our allies.
Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our
military and our counterterrorism professionals, we've made great strides
in that effort. We've disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our
homeland defense. In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government,
which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support. And around
the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill
scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the
9/11 plot.
Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border
into Pakistan. Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that
border and operate through its affiliates across the world.
And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director
of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority
of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to
disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.
Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence
community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from
certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met
repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more
information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding
within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I
determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized
an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.
Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation
against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans
carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No
Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After
a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.
For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol,
and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and
allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to
date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda.
Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that
al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we
will — remain vigilant at home and abroad.
As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and
never will be -– at war with Islam. I've made clear, just as President
Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden
was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al
Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our
own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and
human dignity.
Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action
within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done.
But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with
Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was
hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and
ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.
Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with
their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic
day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that
Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its
affiliates.
The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, and
started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10
years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war.
These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to
sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the
eyes of a service member who's been gravely wounded.
So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never
tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people
have been killed. We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and
our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we
are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have
lost loved ones to al Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done.
Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and
counterterrorism professionals who've worked tirelessly to achieve this
outcome. The American people do not see their work, nor know their names.
But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of
their pursuit of justice.
We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they
exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of
those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has
borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.
Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we
have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that
we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.
And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on
9/11. I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today's achievement is a
testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the
American people.
The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are
once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That
is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for
our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our
commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make
the world a safer place.
Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or
power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you. May God bless you. And may God bless the United States of
America.
11.45pm ET: Osama bin Laden has been hunted down and killed as part of a
special forces operation authorised by President Barack Obama – as the
president announced in a dramatic late night statement.
We'll be reporting Obama's statement and following up all the reaction in
the US and around the world, while the Guardian's team of correspondents
will be supplying the latest information and analysis.
Crowds are gathering in the Washington DC, in New York City and other
parts of the US, to celebrate the news of the death of the number one
enemy in the minds of the US public for the last 10 years.
As more details emerge, let's go over to the White House for the details
of Obama's statement tonight.
liberal
wrote:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/richard-adams-blog/2011/may/02/osama-...
> laden-dead-live
>
> [OBL's death was announced 56 years to the day after Hitler's death was
> announced, which I thought was a nice touch.]
>
> Osama bin Laden is dead - reaction
I find these "USA! USA!, We're number one!!!" rallies disgusting. If
those college aged kids are so patriotic, there are recruiting offices
all over the country. They're the same morons who, when their
college's team wins a championship, pour into the street, beating
their chests, declaring them to be number ones.
A quiet, thankful demonstration would have been appropriate. Not
morons wrapped in flags, running through the street.