January 11, 2003

MR. ASHCROFT JUST KEEPS ROLLING:

Terror cell suspect quotes bin Laden (Sylvia Cukan, 1/11/2003, United Press International)
Faysal Galab, 26, a U.S. citizen of Yemeni descent, and one of the so-called "Lackawanna Six" accused of being a terrorist cell, accepted the plea agreement before U.S. District Court Judge William Skretny in Buffalo, N.Y. for contributing and attempting to contribute funds, goods and services to bin Laden and his terrorist group al Qaida.

The plea agreement states that Galab and other defendants arrived at the al Farooq terrorist training camp near Kandahar, Afghanistan in spring 2001 and that "bin Laden appeared and spoke to everyone at the camp, stating that 50 men were on a mission to attack America."

Galab alleged Bin Laden also claimed responsibility for attacking American embassies on the continent of Africa, according to court papers.

In early April of 2001, Galab said he agreed with the co-defendants and others to attend a military-type training camp in Afghanistan, knowing that their planned trip was illegal, the plea agreement said. [...]

As part of the plea bargain, Galab is cooperating with the investigation and is expected to testify against the other defendants.

Members of the Lackawanna Yemeni community were surprised by the sudden change in plea.

"I am totally shocked and I wish it never happened, I also wish he didn't wait this long to tell the truth and I am hoping the others will come out with the truth as soon as possible," said Dr. Khalid Qazi, president of the Western New York chapter of the American Muslim Council. "Any time an American does anything against our country it's despicable."


Another civil libertarian cause bites the dust. What did they think these guys went to a terrorist training camp for? Posted by Orrin Judd at January 11, 2003 8:24 AM
Comments

And congratulations to Dr. Qazi for standing up for his country.

Posted by: David Cohen at January 11, 2003 8:09 AM

"What did they think these guys went to a terrorist training camp for?"



Multi-cultural enrichment and basket weaving,perhaps?

Posted by: Mr. Michael La at January 11, 2003 9:35 AM

I'm with Mr. Cohen.

Posted by: Christopher Badeaux at January 11, 2003 10:01 AM

David Cohen nailed down the important point of this story. The media has practically shut out all pro American statements by Muslims or maybe such unambiguous statements are truly rare. If the later then I am very disappointed.

Posted by: H-man at January 11, 2003 11:36 AM

Rare as hen's teeth.



Are any of you so naive as to think that the

Muslims of Lackawanna really are surprised?

Maybe the good dr. is. There are self-delusional

people everywhere.



The Muslim "community" where I live is very,

very small and very noisy. It is now 16 months

since Sept. 11, 2001, and the score is:

whining about American intolerance toward

Muslims in Hawaii (for which there is not a

shred of evidence), daily--statements by

local Muslims against religious terrorism, zero.

Posted by: Harry at January 11, 2003 2:52 PM

I agree, David, and I would like to see Dr. Qazi stand up and say this loudly, and more often.

Posted by: Steve White at January 11, 2003 3:00 PM
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