Leaving so many questions open, inevitably means that millions around the world will look sceptically on the story of bin Laden's capture and killing. Given that he has made no tapes or videos for a long time, many will think he may have already been dead for some time.

It will be no wonder if conspiracy theorists have a field-day with this story. The only way to convince people of bin Laden's death would be for the body to be recovered from the spot by divers, followed by a complete and independently verified autopsy. Surely all humankind have the right to know the true fate of the most infamous criminal in history?

If the evidence is forthcoming and compelling, then the death of bin Laden probably marks the end of an era of Jihadist terror. This era began in the 1980s, at that time the U.S. sponsored a war on Afghanistan's former Pro-Soviet Regime. Terrorists, called 'freedom fighters' (including bin Laden himself) were sent to 'fight communism'. They were backed by Saudi finance, U.S. and British weapons and training, and they had the direct support of the Pakistani Intelligence Services (ISI). When these allies of the West took power in Afghanistan they wrought horrors on the Afghani people and the world.

The compound where bin Laden was said to be hiding when he was killed, is located close to the home of the elite military training centre of the Pakistani Army. The Pakistani army hold the decisive levers of power in the country. It is almost impossible to imagine that bin Laden could have lived there without the support and protection of a significant section of the local military and the elite of the ISI.

The ISI have very close ties to sections of the Taliban and terrorist forces inside Pakistan and Afghanistan. A battle for power is brewing between India and Pakistan over who will play the dominant role in controlling Afghanistan after US forces leave. Seen in this light perhaps the killing of bin Laden will serve as an adequate justification for US withdrawal. This in turn may lead to the regionalisation of the Afghan conflict.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.h5a3.com/opinion/node_7084903.htm

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