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Article: Bin Laden Said to 'Own' The Taliban; Bush Is Told He Gave Regime $100 Million
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 11, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Osama bin Laden has provided an estimated $100 million in cash and
military assistance to the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan over the
last five years, making bin Laden the single greatest supporter of
the Afghan regime, according to intelligence information presented
recently to President Bush and his senior national security advisers.
As a result of the new information, government sources said, the
CIA has concluded that bin Laden "owns and operates" the Taliban,
highlighting the pervasive influence that bin Laden and his al Qaeda
forces exert within Afghanistan. Bin Laden's military units also
provide the Taliban with some of its most committed and effective