Inspiring Trust

How were they to know?  After all, the world's most wanted man - a terrorist mind whose genius lay in inspiring others to join his cause of attacking Western and American values, infrastructure, populations and guarantee themselves a martyr's place in Paradise - was a reclusive man.  Careful not to be noticed.  Taking huge care not to draw attention to the fact that he lived a comfortable life in a country that tended to nurture Islamists.

So where might a man seeking to elude attention choose to settle with his large family?  In a discreet village, a small town where no one might consider his presence, that of a world-famous terrorist?  Or, then perhaps using the kind of reverse psychology that would have a notorious and mysterious militant place himself in full public view as it were, of a busy enclave, complete with the presence of military officers.

Better yet, with a military training center a stone's throw from the sprawling mansion compound he had built for himself.  Who, then, would suspect the presence in a town like Abbottabad, of Osama bin Laden, with his extended family, and living alongside them within the compound others entrusted with the secret of his presence, functionaries who would serve his purpose to maintain secrecy and assist in quotidian household affairs.

Pakistan, official Pakistan, has always claimed innocence of the knowledge of his presence within the country.  Mind, the West always knew he was present in Pakistan.  Afghanistan knew of Osama bin Laden's presence in the country.  Pakistani secret intelligence was known to be complicit with the connection between Afghan and Pakistan Taliban and al-Qaeda. 

For that matter, the Pakistan military, infiltrated by the Taliban and other Islamists, was well aware of his presence within Pakistan.  They had business, after all, in common.

Word, however, failed to reach the Government of Pakistan.  The President denied his presence in the country - actually, several presidents; the former and the current, as well as the prime ministers.  Innocence of knowledge of Osama bin Laden's presence and official and non-official protection in the country was the order of the day, every day, each time the United States pressed the issue.

And this was precisely the reason that the U.S. State Department and the CIA and the military made no mention to the Pakistani administration of their plan to send two helicopters and Navy SEALs on a very particular mission to Abbottabad.  Infuriating the Government of Pakistan, its military and secret service, and sending the civil population into a froth of fury over Americans imposing their will.

Pakistan vowed to get to the bottom of the matter, and set up an 'independent commission' to delve into the issue and come to acceptable conclusions.  A senior government official has now divulged the truth: no one in the town had any knowledge that the world's most wanted man was living there. 

Not even the Pakistani surgeon whose home compound was next to bin Laden's and who assisted the CIA, and for his pains is now imprisoned.

Clearly Pakistan had very good reason to be furious about American entry into their sovereign airspace.  Clearly Pakistan is correct to be infuriated over accusations it conspired with al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, to secure him from prying eyes which meant to destroy the life of the man who celebrated the success of his mission to destroy almost three thousand American lives.

And what of that cryptic message from a senior government source of the report: "It's a disappointment for those who thought this episode might represent a turning point for Pakistan's relationship with extremist groups."