BIN LADEN CONSIDERED TARGETING JAPANESE ECONOMY

 

 

 

 

Some commentators wrongly think that al-Qaeda is only interested in attacking Jews, Christians and Hindus. But as this piece from China's largest news agency reminds us, others have been on Bin Laden's target list too.

 

Bin Laden considered hitting Japanese economy

Xinhua news agency

Dec. 4, 2007

 

Tokyo – Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden considered doing some harm to Japan's economy by attacking tankers heading to the country, Kyodo News reported Tuesday, quoting a former member of the terrorist group.

 

The former member a Saudi Arabian citizen who was one of bin Laden's guards in Tora Bora mountains, told Kyodo's correspondent in Egypt that bin Laden expressed the idea in late 2001 due to frustration with Japan's decision to support the US-led war on terror.

 

"Japan can't stand any attack against its interests. We could destroy Japan's economy. We could attack tankers headed to Japan," the al-Qaeda leader was quoted by the former member as telling a close aide when they were hiding in Tora Bora mountains of eastern Afghanistan.

 

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