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Inside Al Qaeda
The organization created by Osama bin Laden, known as Al Qaeda
("the base"), merged earlier this year with the Egyptian organization Islamic
Jihad. This has improved the organization and discipline of Al Qaeda, which has
been renamed. US intelligence officials are debating if the new name is Al Qaeda
Jihad (the base of the holy struggle) or Al Qaeda Jadid (the new
base). Al Qaeda (whatever the name now is) provides training, combat
experience in various theaters (e.g., Kashmir), funding (although the
organization only puts up some of the funds for any given operation, expecting
other groups to provide "matching funds"), expertise, and a network of
supporters and agents in place. Operatives needing to travel can move between
safe houses run by bin Laden cells. While theories that the organization
is short on cash cannot be confirmed, they are certainly frugal. The hijackers
in the 11 September attack literally mailed or wired their remaining cash to
Mustafa Ahmed, the Al Qaeda paymaster in the UAE, a couple of days before the
attack. Those who took pilot training often negotiated deals to pay half of the
$5000 fee up front, then dropped out of class after learning the cockpit
instruments and how to maneuver the aircraft in the air. Operatives live
modestly and, when traveling, stayed in budget hotels. One of those involved in
the Millennium plots was given only a few thousand dollars and instructions in
how to rob banks to get more. Al Qaeda began with bin Laden's personal
fortune (estimated to have peaked at $300 million). Bin Laden was a highly
successful fund raiser during the Afghan War (against Russia), encouraging
donations from rich Saudis and other Arabs, and from his own relatives. A number
of Islamic charities siphon off funds to Al Qaeda, and some bin Laden operatives
run various operations (such as credit card scams) to raise more money. Rich
Arab businessmen make donations that amount to protection money.
--Stephen V
Cole
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