Closing the Case on Cole

This editorial entitled,  “Closing the Case on Cole” written by Ali H. Soufan is intended for the American audience regarding prosecution and lack of government involvement in terrorist acts upon the United States. It seems from the author’s point of view that the U.S. Government did little to aid with the investigation of the attack on the U.S.S. Cole. The author states that the government seemed like they just brushed it under the rug, leaving many different agencies including family members of the victims without any hope of justice.

The author also argues that after pushing forward and apprehending the known terrorist, the Yemen Government released the terrorist due to Presidential pardons and various rehabilitation programs. The terrorist that were released either confessed or were accused by other known terrorists and/or evidence found at the crime scene indicated that they were involved with the bombing. The confessions from the terrorist were impermissible due to the interrogation tactics used. Even the confessions after the tactics ceased were still not rendered legitimate.

While the Yemen Government was being distracted by internal affairs and with the U.S. Government’s little involvement, Yemen became a safe haven for terrorist organization.  This has only grown over the years since the attack. The author does state that the U.S. Government does want to send aid to Yemen, but is concerned with the on and off relationship with the Yemen Government. He feels that the Yemen and U.S. officials should come up with an agreement that guarantees the Yemen Government has full and continuous involvement in the fight against terrorism. He believes that a good test of commitment is how the Yemen officials respond to the handing over of known terrorists, Mr. Badawi and Mr. Quso, to U.S. officials.

The author’s credibility comes from first hand involvement as a F.B.I. special agent with the investigation of the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole and the relationship with the Yemen Government. The author recalls the on and off again aid from the Yemen officials and the continuous death threats and obstacles that plagued the investigation.

The author believes that the lack of involvement from Washington which enabled the terrorist to walk free is an insult to the victims and family members of the Cole. He believes that it puts a damper on national security.  Furthermore, he believes that it could have prevented the attacks on 9/11, if the members of Al Qaeda would have been properly prosecuted and detained