Tom,

The so-called Blair Dossier has been widely dismissed - nowhere more thoroughly than in GB itself - as a collection of previously available rumors, innuendo, and outright fabrications.

I've also seen apparently verifiable statements made in an interview with a Pakastani newspaper after 9-11 in which bin Laden denies both involvement in and even knowledge of the plot leading up to 911.

You can find references to that material and bin Laden's actual words on 9-28-2001 in his interview with the Pakastani newspaper Ummat here.

"I have already said that I am not involved in the 11 September attacks in the United States. As a Muslim, I try my best to avoid telling a lie. I had no knowledge of these attacks, nor do I consider the killing of innocent women, children and other humans as an appreciable act. Islam strictly forbids causing harm to innocent women, children and other people. Such a practice is forbidden even in the course of a battle."

--Osama bin Laden

So, it's your choice, I suppose, on what you want to believe. From what I've seen, the verifiable evidence seems to point away from OBL.

Nevertheless, I'd be the first to admit that it is no easy matter separating truth from fiction in this entire affair.

sp