World Watch
December 3, 2010 6:03 PM

WikiLeaks: U.S. Behind Attacks on Qaeda in Yemen

By
Alex Sundby
Topics
In The News ,
Yemen

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh attends the opening session of the Arab Summit March 27, 2010, in Sirte, Libya.

(Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

The United States was secretly given permission from Yemen's president to attack the al Qaeda group in his country that later attempted to blow up planes in American air space.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh told John Brennan, President Obama's counterterrorism adviser, in September 2009 that the U.S. had an "open door" on terrorism in Yemen, the Guardian newspaper of London reported Friday evening.

The disclosure comes from the trove of secret State Department cables released to a number of news outlets by the document-dumping website WikiLeaks.

Since the conversation between Saleh and Brennan, Yemen's government has taken credit for strikes with missiles and bombs that were actually conducted by U.S. forces, the Guardian reported.

"Yemen insisted it must 'maintain the status quo' regarding the official denial of US involvement," reads one cable in the Guardian article from Ambassador Stephen Seche. "Saleh wanted operations to continue 'non-stop until we eradicate this disease.'"

Within the past year, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has launched two attacks on the United States from Yemen: last year's failed Christmas Day bombing attempt over Detroit and October's foiled attempt to detonate planes either on U.S. soil or in American air space.

Cargo Bombs Timeline: What Could Have Happened

In a conversation between Salah and Gen. David Petraeus, who then oversaw U.S. Central Command, the Yemeni president turned down an offer from Mr. Obama to deploy ground troops because of a concern about U.S. casualties, the Guardian reported.

The cables also provide a more in-depth look on the country's failures to cut off access points for al Qaeda to conduct its attacks, the Guardian reported. Airport officials not receiving anti-terror training and cargo passing through X-ray machines unchecked are examples in the cables, the Guardian reported.

More on WikiLeaks

The War on Wikileaks
Ron Paul Defends WikiLeaks Founder's Rights
Digital Whack-A-Mole: WikiLeaks Back on Swiss Net Domain
Katie Couric's Notebook: WikiLeaks


  • Alex Sundby

    Alex Sundby is an associate news editor for CBSNews.com

Add a Comment See all 18 Comments
by ToolMangler1 December 4, 2010 4:30 PM EST
"WikiLeaks: U.S. Behind Attacks on Qaeda in Yemen"


GOOD!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by nopatriot December 4, 2010 12:19 AM EST
I don't understand what is democratic in USA.
Recently California governor election was finished. jerry Brown goes to be governor .
I don't know about anybody and whoever elected, they will do.

But one thing , I don't really get it.

Democratic neither Republican , I don't support.

because I don't vote for them.

However, Republican candidate Meg Wittman was ordered by court in San Jose to pay thousands dollars to
her former house keeper , illegal worker.

According to source, Meg Wittman is rich.
OK, rich.
And she hired the house keeper as documented worker, she believed so.
She found the worker was not documented and fired her.
After found the fact, Meg did not pay her thousands.

And San Jose court ruled to order Meg to pay thousands to her ( Un documented worker)

Only two years ago, some business owners hired illegal workers were arrested and
went jail or expensive bail out to pay.

But why suddenly Meg Wittman has to pay to illegal worker , after her recognition about illegal worker
, I think she did right thing on law.

Meg is US citizen and just did right thing , tried to obey the law.

But she is accused by democratic party.

Now giving US residence ship to students whose parents came to USA, that is good thing.

But how about this house keeper?

She is a cute looking and poor ( but earning than me )

and Meg is rich.

let's say rich people are minority in USA and they made efforts and luck to be rich.

Made American dream to be rich and now been targeted by many people who
can not reach to their American dream and have jealousy towards to rich and
want to turn over the law to accuse rich woman.

I don't say Meg Wittman has ever perfect.
Might made mistakes too in her life.

However, she obeyed the law and it is not really bad decision, I think.
Why US unemployment is higher so far?

because those undocumented workers taking over jobs from legal workers,

and even won for the trial against US citizen , Meg.

It shows not attract to be American citizen ever.

Can not be rich in USA.

No American dream here, let 's move on to other country to be or keep rich.

Is that USA want?

house keeper is young and attractive like jennifer lopez .

Is that a reason to not charge her and not deport to own country?

Do you know who are robberies in USA?

Many are legal workers but they send money to own country's family.

To do so, they even become robberies in USA and robbing US citizens or
regal residents.

Because they wanted to keep going to send money to mother or family in own country.

Do you know, I am even legal resident but when I don't have money, I don't use.

Period.

when I can not do afford, I don't buy.

I know how to be patience so many things.

And once I become to be affordable something,

US authority starts to chase me around, watch accounts etc, even want to confiscate money.

I think, totally nonsense to me.


Something so strange to us.

Anyway, I could not get why Meg has to pay to illegal worker
and why the worker was not be charged.

Anyone can give me explanation about this strangeness?

I feel really sorry for American citizens.

they are mistreated by other parties of USA like this.

It seems like Republican was a bit hard outside but not so hard to
inside of United state for people.

I learn USA going through those events.

Democrats are not really respectful for American riches who obey the laws well

and pay if people are legal.

Am I saying wrong?
Reply to this comment
by nopatriot December 3, 2010 11:55 PM EST
Since Obama became President, I was not mention so much. But let me organize my opinion here.
I quickly study now what's going on wikileak issue and found bradley manning support site.
What I read news paper in japan now, Clinton stated US former solder bradley manning stole the
public record ? no no , videos related video from army, saying that. And she also said it's illegal.
OK, it is illegal.
And what's kind of video he downloaded ?
It seems like USA army killing bunch of people in Iraq.
Include civilians.
According to International law , killing civilians are illegal too.
So when he is charged by USA , USA authority also will be charged by International law,
is that right to understand ?

Who is the US authority , by the way?
I do not know. You decide it.

I don't really learn who and what kind of guy asange is,
I don't know how he corrected so much information about.

I may not agree to him some parts or many parts.

I have no idea because I really don't learn about this in this time.

However, I dislike USA authority invade privacy like watching account, wiretapping
with their own suspicious.

In japan , it is happening to only Yakuza people, but in USA, happen to anybody.

I believe whoever write opinion for news, even they are suspects by authority.

So, some people start to feel authority is aiming to confiscate from them money,
every thing and let them be criminal on the status.

and some Americans escape to Canada, mostly.

Is that right system in USA?

and is that really smart to do so?

Is that right way as human being ever?

I am asking USA, why people live in USA have to have experience like that?

Can not mention any opinions,

or if do so, government or authority try to confiscate
every thing.

people live in fear with kind of suspicious feelings that is not healthy and

right thing.

Just showing leaking videos are useless,

but please prove USA is right country can do right thing.
Reply to this comment
by nopatriot December 3, 2010 11:26 PM EST
A problem is, I am reading gardian and try to understand what he ( leaker ) said.
But I don't understand English well.

Asked whether Wikileaks had ever received documents relating to UFOs, he said: "Many weirdos email us about UFOs or how they discovered that they were the antiChrist whilst talking with their ex-wife at a garden party over a pot-plant."

What this mean? I don't understand this.
UFO believer is antiChristian ? I don 't think so.
because even Vatican is admitting that UFO.

over a pot-plant, so try to say if people see UFO , they are all pot-plant user?
Kidding, people don't smoke that!!!

What is this unhealthy statement by this leaker guy,

I can not trust him either.

Do you mind?

You guys do something like that, and we are just reading writing opinions.

And don't watch our account illegaly , but if you recognize am money in need,

give me job, thank you.
Reply to this comment
by ToolMangler1 December 4, 2010 4:21 PM EST
You need to come to America and spend a about ten years here, (learning english) then you might understand more about us than what you get from third and fourth hand information put out by those that just hate America. Islamic Imams and the Taliban/Al qaeda groups. The truth is 'NOTHING' like they tell....
by nopatriot December 3, 2010 10:36 PM EST
Honestly, I think US intelligence is a little too much paranoia. Sorry to say , but really is.
go to English news paper site, gardian, and CIA corrected UN workers' accounts information,
air plane milage , email address etc.
I believe they do.
But CIA is mistakenly doing this.
This is invading privacy, and unacceptable.
Not UN people, but some are on same situation.
I am telling u, this is sicking issue ever.
I believe even doing same thing to ordinal people in USA too,
and wiretapping , watching account activity what people purchased two socks from ********** whatever.
this is sick.
"Purchase made from homedepot and those expenses are mostly for business investment,
I feel wrong to watch every activity." if you think so, you are still normal.
But already made mistakes.


I believe this is mental problem rather than intelligence work.

Sorry to say using the word but I am foreigner and I don't know other way to say.



So, if the AU and British hero wikileak guy is criminal, so USA authority too.

Should be fair on the earth.
Reply to this comment
by Reality-Checker December 3, 2010 11:55 PM EST
Intelligence quagmires do weave a tangled web of facts that often contradict and offset our effectiveness. The biggest enemy of the USA can be found with one look in the mirror. Since senior leadership is older and prone to obsolete thinking, it should be no surprise that the series of events always include glorius errors. Too much Cold War Mentality rules in the NSA, US Senate, DIA, CIA and DOD. No one over the age of 55 should be permitted to serve key positions. They are too old and make expensive blunders.
by JordanBuki December 3, 2010 10:30 PM EST
All I can say is. Wiki Leaks = stupid, slightly terrorist organization bent on the destruction of America. I mean, what are they trying to achieve by leaking this information?
Reply to this comment
by rwsmith29456 December 3, 2010 10:26 PM EST
If they were got any Al Qaeda I don't care where they shoot missiles.
Reply to this comment
by imnho December 3, 2010 9:40 PM EST
I hope that the person who leaked these documents gets an extended stay in Supermax.
Reply to this comment
by wjksea December 3, 2010 9:48 PM EST
Why? Don't like the truth? To the righteous, the truth will set you free.
by JordanBuki December 3, 2010 10:32 PM EST
@wjksea

This truth won't set anyone free, dumb[expletive]. It'll only hurt people.
by nopatriot December 3, 2010 8:18 PM EST
I am not seeing wikileak but I read only news paper outside of USA on the internet,
France and some countries are shutting down too due to prevention from server attack.

Putin and Italian PM are both described as greedy stupid a man (each) by USA authorities
but both don't take it seriously , according to news.

Rather , USA intelligence are poorly judging out side of USA and

may cause USA making wrong.

What can I say, if any countries out side is always bad and if really believe so,

I believe this is not like judgement but this may be discrimination by USA.

I don't say anybody perfect but really important.

By the way Rosetta stone is language software and I bought it .

I already learn English without software and Rosetta stone shows " CIA uses to study language"

Nice catch! but convince me USA authorities making judgement on other countries with poor language skills.

Like some news reporters in japan.

No skills but emotional writing sometimes, it shows both ( USA or Japan) do same mistakes by some people.
Reply to this comment
by kryan74 December 5, 2010 8:09 PM EST
Ok so I think you are trying to tell us about media bias in America. We are aware of that. Americans have learned how to read bias and that is why the mainstream media is failing. However, we have a new media forming in America via cable, radio and Internet. By far, your English is not among the worst I have read, but I do believe you are struggling with certain aspects of English that may be giving you the wrong impression of what is taking place. And, that is not a shot at you. Hats off to people that have taken the time to learn a second language.
by baileyccc December 3, 2010 8:12 PM EST
Every time we send a missile in it leads to fewer scumbags on the streets of the world. posted by baileyccc
Reply to this comment
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