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.
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 U.S.-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.
(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2007)
