Iranian radio reports that Osama bin Laden was captured “a long time ago.” The Pentagon, Pakistan, and even one of the sources for the story are denying that bin Laden is actually in custody, and I doubt people would keep something like that secret for very long. But it is conceivable, as some stories have reported, that we have located bin Laden, are containing him within a small area, and will move to haul him in at a more “convenient” time. Thus I don’t think we can easily dismiss the motives attributed here:
The report said bin Laden had been in custody for a period of time, but that President Bush was withholding any announcement until closer to November elections.
“Osama bin Laden has been arrested a long time ago, but Bush is intending to use it for propaganda maneuvering in the presidential election,” the radio report said.
Call me cynical.
OK. Cynical.
(Disclaimer: I, too, am cynical. At least about this OBL rumor.)