You'd expect that an al-Qaeda operative upsetting his boss would find something far worse than a horse's head in his bed. Not so. Recently declassified documents caught from al-Qaeda reveals a very bureaucratic side to the terrorist network, including nasty memos from bosses, whining employees, and a lot of quarreling about money.
In two pages mixing flowery religious terms with itemized complaints, the Egyptian boss accused the militant of misappropriating cash, a car, sick leave, research papers and an air conditioner during "an austerity situation" for the network. He demanded a detailed letter of explanation.
"I was very upset by what you did," Atef wrote. "I obtained 75,000 rupees for you and your family's trip to Egypt. I learned that you did not submit the voucher to the accountant, and that you made reservations for 40,000 rupees and kept the remainder claiming you have a right to do so. . . . Also with respect to the air-conditioning unit, . . . furniture used by brothers in Al Qaeda is not considered private property. . . . I would like to remind you and myself of the punishment for any violation."
Obviously, their accountants are not up to the same standards as I am used to in my line of work.
In a brief letter from the late 1990s, a militant wished Atef "Peace and God's mercy and blessings" and "praise to the Lord and salvation to his prophet." Then he got down to business: "I have not received my salary in three months and I am six months behind in paying my rent. . . . You also told me to remind you, and this is a reminder."
A down-payment on the famous 72 virgins raisins.
9:24:19 PM 
|
