Bin Laden considered hitting Japanese economy
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-04 21:51
Tokyo -- Al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden used to consider 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.
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Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is shown speaking in a video released on a web site on September 7, 2007. [Agencies]
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The former member told Kyodo's correspondent in Egypt in a recent interview 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-Qaida leader was quoted by the former member as telling a close aide when they were hiding in Tora Bora mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
The former member, a Saudi Arabian citizen who was one of bin Laden's guards in Tora Bora mountains, said he was not aware of any specific plan, Kyodo said.
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