CNN’s Randi Kaye in a report that was touted as bringing the facts to the case of the Cordoba House, the proposed Islamic Center in lower Manhattan, was discussing sources of finances for the project on the “Anderson Cooper 360″ show on Friday, August 20, 2010. In reviewing prospects for support from overseas she mentioned Saudi Arabia in a way that continues to foster the image that the Kingdom in some way had a role in 9/11, “..even in Saudi Arabia, the homeland of 15 of the 19 hijackers..” Surely members of the media, politicians and pundits can figure a way to mention Saudi Arabia without perpetuating an incorrect characterization of the relationship between Al Qaeda and the Kingdom. We recall the 9/11 Commission put that perception to rest and that in 2008 the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, when talking with SUSRIS, was able to understand the distinction:
“We are seven years past 9/11, which was truly a tragic event. From the intelligence we’ve collected since then, we know for a fact that 9/11 was a deliberate attempt by Osama bin Laden to split the Saudi-US relationship. Bin Laden’s primary objective was Saudi Arabia and the moderate Muslim countries, not America. He knew full well that he would have no chance at striking Saudi Arabia effectively, or the other moderates, if they were closely allied to America. So every time I sit with a senator or a congressman, and the phrase “15 of the 19” is brought up as a reason for not doing something we should be doing, then bin Laden is winning. Both countries are being manipulated by someone who had a political agenda.” Ambassador Ford Fraker
Have you ever heard anyone in the media talk about the relationship and the “15 of 19″ in that way?
