Palestinians cool to Osama bin Laden

Message of support from al-Qaida leader draws little enthusiasm


updated 4:55 p.m. ET, Mon., May. 19, 2008
RAMALLAH, West Bank - In his latest message, Osama bin Laden portrays himself as the only true defender of the Palestinians. But the Palestinians, even the Islamic militants of Hamas, didn't seem too enthusiastic Monday over the bear hug from the fugitive al-Qaida leader.

The moderate Palestinian government in the West Bank fears its quest for independence could be sullied by perceived links to terrorism. Even the rival Hamas regime in Gaza, labeled a terrorist group by the U.S. and Israel, sees al-Qaida as too extreme.

"Al-Qaida and bin Laden have caused huge damage to the image of Muslims and Arabs all over the world, and with his frequent statements about the Palestinians he just damages our image," said Nimr Hamad, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24713010/

With 'friends' like Al Quaeda, they hardly need enemies.