Reward concealed

Last updated on June 10th, 2017 at 06:26 am

Oh, great work, Ambassador Nancy Powell:

A lone U.S. ambassador compromised America’s hunt for Osama bin Laden in Pakistan for more than two years, The New York Sun has learned.

Ambassador Nancy Powell, America’s representative in Pakistan, refused to allow the distribution in Pakistan of wanted posters, matchbooks, and other items advertising America’s $25 million reward for information leading to the capture of Mr. bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders.

Instead, thousands of matchbooks, posters, and other material – printed at taxpayer expense and translated into Urdu, Pashto, and other local languages – remained “impounded” on American Embassy grounds from 2002 to 2004, according to Rep. Mark Kirk, Republican of Illinois.

Such simple methods as matchbook advertising apparently work; as Ms. Powell still does, incredibly, although she’s since been relocated to the State Department.

1. marco…polo
   great. someone from state screws us again.

   Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2005 03 28 at 10:32 AM • permalink

1. These guys are on our side.  Right?  RIGHT?!?!

   Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2005 03 28 at 10:46 AM • permalink

1. The Real JeffS — These people are the opposite of Harry Harrison’s Bill — They’re heroes with two leftarms.

   Another Keith Laumer moment brought to you by the US State Department.

   Posted by richard mcenroe on 2005 03 28 at 10:48 AM • permalink

1. Surely, there’s a crime she can be charged with here.

   Posted by Aaron – Freewill on 2005 03 28 at 10:59 AM • permalink

1. Why?  I read the article, and it seems to me that Ms. Powell side-stepped the question.  Who does she know that keeps this from sticking to her?  And who did she know in the Pakistani government who persuaded her to take such an action?  Does anybody in our government care?

   Posted by RebeccaH on 2005 03 28 at 11:49 AM • permalink

1. “she’s since been relocated to the State Department.”

   Coals to Newcastle.

   Posted by Dave S. on 2005 03 28 at 12:04 PM • permalink

1. Maybe she was trying to discourage Pakistani smoking.  Their health is important too.  If President Bush wants different priorities, let him work his way up in the State Department.

   Posted by rhhardin on 2005 03 28 at 12:26 PM • permalink

1. note to future US presidents: do not employ people named ‘powell’

   Posted by benson swears a lot on 2005 03 28 at 12:56 PM • permalink

1. Well, that is only Scandal #1.  Scandal #2 is why the NYT and 60 Minutes didn’t cover it.

   Oh, how I would love to see some enterprising news people barging into CBS offices with cameras running, stick a microphone into various executives’ faces, and ask them whether they intend to resign out of shame and embarrassment over their incompetence and bias.

   Posted by wronwright on 2005 03 28 at 01:00 PM • permalink

1. Can’t wait until the next time somebody sneers, “Where’s Osama?”

   Posted by Jim Treacher on 2005 03 28 at 01:53 PM • permalink

1. Nancy Powell bio

   That’s the cached google bio. The state department one doesn’t work.

   Posted by zefal on 2005 03 28 at 03:20 PM • permalink

1. When we were in the run up to the Iraq invasion the U.S. ambassadors in Europe sent a cable back to D.C. refusing to make the case. I think shit like this is why we recalled our ambassador to Syria when Lebanon began to protest. It’s not for consultation, it’s so she can’t work for the other side.

   Posted by The Apologist on 2005 03 28 at 03:37 PM • permalink

1. I really hope Condi Rice sends a bunch of these people packing. They are dead weight.

   Posted by terryelee on 2005 03 28 at 04:04 PM • permalink

1. Probably 90% of state department employees are democrats and half of those are of the leftist variety. Ever hear a msm reporter say or write anything bad about a career diplomat? Didn’t think so.

   Posted by zefal on 2005 03 28 at 04:12 PM • permalink

1. State is like a passenger on a motorcycle who doesn’t know how to ride – they lean the wrong way.  Unfortunately it’s been like that for a long time, ever since the Communists got in in the 30’s.

   Posted by -keith in mtn. view on 2005 03 28 at 05:57 PM • permalink

1. Sir Humphrey on “Yes, Minister” said something along the lines of

   “We can’t have governments making statements on Foreign Policy without close consultation with the Foreign Office, because then there’d be two Foreign Policies”

   Posted by blogstrop on 2005 03 28 at 06:34 PM • permalink

1. Seems she should lose her job over this.

   Posted by taspundit on 2005 03 28 at 08:38 PM • permalink

1. I’d rather she be appointed as Ambassador to the South Pole.  That’s about her level.

   Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2005 03 29 at 04:43 AM • permalink

1. where’s Diplomad when you need him?

   Posted by KK on 2005 03 29 at 05:06 AM • permalink

1. Daily demarche has picked up where Diplomad left off.

   Maybe the former ambassador knows where OBL is and is just waiting to cash in as a private citizen.

   Posted by Some0Seppo on 2005 03 29 at 11:03 AM • permalink

1. …the hell?  Isn’t this material aid and comfort to an enemy in wartime?  How does she not get hauled up for treason charges?

   Posted by Nightfly on 2005 03 29 at 12:17 PM • permalink