ABC

Is bin Laden Dying?

Report: Terror Suspect Has Kidney Disease

Terror suspect Osama bin Laden may be dying, according to a report. H O N G K O N G, March 16 — Exiled Saudi Arabian dissident Osama bin Laden is dying of kidney failure, according to a published report released today.

Asiaweek, quoting “a Western intelligence source who has been tracking him,” said in its latest edition the kidney disease had begun to affect bin Laden’s liver and associates were trying to obtain a dialysis machine to stabilize his condition.

The United States has accused bin Laden of leading a “terrorist” network and masterminding the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa that killed more than 200 people.

The weekly news magazine said bin Laden, 45, who is in Afghanistan, remained mostly conscious and was able to talk and hold meetings. But “the man is dying,” Asiaweek quoted the source as saying.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Answers

By all accounts Saddam has been dying for years as well.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001

Yeah, Brooks, that was my first reaction too. I wonder who starts these rumors? Anyway, it's of no importance right now. He's still active.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2001