Comments on: Correction

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 03:11:19 +0000

Phil, I never met him face to face. He was quite proficient in moving big bucks to the CIA to support the Mujahideen. Couldn’t have done it without him.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 02:38:14 +0000

James, did you have any occasion to interact directly with Charlie Wilson? I read the book. Any comment?

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 02:00:41 +0000

Phil, having been the military assistant to the Director of Operations of the CIA in that time period, there was direct business with Osama. I would say that I’m glad I left the organization before they engaged in torture, so I wouldn’t have to feel dirty.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:52:01 +0000

Colonel, you are asserting a direct collaboration between Osama and the US/CIA. Osama was subordinate to the Mujahideen. It is settled that we were allied with the Mujahideen. It is NOT settled that we had direct business with Osama. Some sources assert direct dealings. Some refute. The question is open. You say it is closed. We disagree.

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:42:16 +0000

Phil, he was our ally in the sense that we were providing him stinger missiles to shoot down Russian helicopters, which was in our interest.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:32:11 +0000

James, you force me to correct myself. Osama was post-pubescent in that time frame. I asserted otherwise when I asserted he was still fighting zits and morning wood. My mistake. Sorry. But it may be misleading to assert that he was our “ally” and maintained a direct relationship with the CIA. The question is open. But certainly being the enemy of our “enemy” made him a “friend”.

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 01:05:14 +0000

Phil, in Ollie’s time (the 80s), Osama was our ally. Just consider all our enemies today. In 20-25 years they will be our friends.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:17:24 +0000

Additional CORRECTION: Within that article is the following from a purported exchange between Oliver North and the Iran Contra Congressional investigation, “Threatened? By whom?” the senator questioned. “By a Muslim terrorist, sir,” North answered. “Terrorist? What terrorist could possibly scare you that much?” “His name is Osama bin Laden, sir,” North replied. A forum participant, “Cisco” pointed out and I concur from memory that the terrorist in question was NOT Osama bin Laden. It was Abu Nidal.