[LINK] bin Laden is dead

[Birch, Jim]

Bernard Robertson-Dunn wrote:

> In this case, many Americans seem to be adopting the terrorists' view
of justice - which has more in common with vengeance and revenge.
> It could be argued that when you are sending a message, you need to
speak the language of the listener.

According to reports this was a capture or kill mission because US
policy is to not shoot anyone who is surrendering.   Again from reports,
OBL didn't surrender so he was shot, while actually using one of his
wives as a shield.

Holding OBL for trial and execution would have been an undesirable
result, to say the least.  The likelihood of hostages being taken to try
to enforce his release would be around certain.  Given the fact that he
has claimed to have authorised 9/11, I think that the otherwise odious
option of immediate extrajudicial execution is preferable to putting
other lives at risk.

I was also pleased to read that Islamic rites were observed in disposal
of the body.  The situation is bad enough without adding religious
humiliation. 


- Jim


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this transmission may be confidential and/or protected by legal professional privilege, and is intended only for the person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you are not such a person, you are warned that any disclosure, copying or dissemination of the information is unauthorised. If you have received the transmission in error, please immediately contact this office by telephone, fax or email, to inform us of the error and to enable arrangements to be made for the destruction of the transmission, or its return at our cost. No liability is accepted for any unauthorised use of the information contained in this transmission. If the transmission contains advice, the advice is based on instructions in relation to, and is provided to the addressee in connection with, the matter mentioned above. Responsibility is not accepted for reliance upon it by any other person or for any other purpose.