Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, May 04, 2011, Page 2, Image 2

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    UJortbnih (Dbseruer
Page 2
Bin Laden Not Armed in Raid
The change in
official account
raises questions
(AP) — Osama bin Laden was
unarmed when Navy SEALs burst
into his room and shot him to death,
the White House said Tuesday, a
change in the official account that
raised questions about whether the
U.S. ever planned to capture the
terrorist leader alive.
The Obama administration, mean­
while, was still debating whether to
release gruesome images of bin
Laden's corpse, balancing efforts to
demonstrate to the world that he
was dead against the risk that the
images could provoke further anti-
U.S. sentiment. But CIA Director
Leon Panetta said a photograph
would be released.
"I don't think there was any ques­
tion that ultimately a photograph
would be presented to the public,"
Panetta said in an interview with
"NBC Nightly News."
After killing the world's most
wanted terrorist, the SEAL team in
just minutes quickly swept bin
Laden’s compound for useful intel­
ligence, making off with a cache of
com puter equipm ent and docu­
ments. The CIA was hurriedly set­
ting up a task force to review the
material from the highest level of al-
Qaida's leadership.
The documents provide a rare
opportunity for U.S. intelligence.
When a mid-level terrorist is cap­
tured, his bosses know exactly what
information might be compromised
and can change plans. When the
boss is taken, everything might be
compromised but nobody knows
for sure.
May 4, 2011
Panetta, the CIA director, said
bin Laden didn't hav£time to speak
to the SEALs who killed him.
"I don't think he had a lot of time
to say anything," Panetta said in
an interview with PBS NewsHour.
"It was a firefight going up that
com pound.... I think it - this was all
split-second action on the part of
the SEALs."
Panetta said that bin Laden made
"some threatening moves that were
made that clearly represented a
clear threat to our guys. And that's
the reason they fired."
The question of how to present
proof of bin Laden's death to the
world is a difficult balancing act for
the White House.
TLWeek in
The Review
Flag Lowered for Teen
The flag of the City of Portland was
low ered M onday
for Shiloh Hamp­
ton, a 14 year-old
who was shot and
killed in a drive-by
sh o o tin g
last
month near Holladay Park in north­
east Portland. The City Council be­
stows the honor when local chil­
dren die from abuse, neglect or ho­
micidal violence. Hampton was a
first year student at Madison High
School where he played on the foot­
ball team.
Gangs Rise as Funds Fall
Sen. Ron Wyden held a news con­
ference with local officials Thurs­
day at the police precinct in north­
east Portland to address the need to
protect federal law enforcement pro­
grams that help fight gang violence,
which is on the rise throughout the
Portland community. Congress is
defunding gang prevention pro­
grams.
Flight of Friendship
As people struggle to rebuild their
lives following one of the greatest
natural disasters known to man, a
local group announced last week
that they will be organizing a trip to
Japan for Oregonians to extend their
support. The goal of the Flight of
Friendship Japan is to let survivors
know they have not, and will not be
forgotten, as well as contribute to
the sagging economy through tour­
ism. The May 29 through June 4
travel event is open to anyone.
Trial Extended for Doctor
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The long-awaited trial for the doctor
charged in the drug death of Michael
Jackson was delayed on Monday
for four months after the judge said
defense lawyers need additional
preparation time
to effectively rep­
resent their client.
A lth o u g h
Dr.
Conrad M urray
o rig in a lly e x ­
pressed his desire
for a speedy trial, Superior Court
Judge Michael Pastor said he was
more concerned with justice for the
client than with the speed of the
proceedings.
Royal Wedding Smile
With a smile that lit up TV screens
around the world, Kate Middleton
married Prince William Friday in a
union that
promised to
r e v ita liz e
the British
m onarchy.
A m illion
p e o p le
roared their approval as the royal
couple then paraded through Lon­
don in an open carriage.