The Lexicographer's Rules

"The leader of this groupŃa young, arrogant SaudiŃstepped forward demanding in fluent English to know who I was and what I was doing in Afghanistan. Wearing a military fatigue jacket and billowing trousers, he was flanked by 20 fellow Arabs from various countries armed with AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. It's crucial to retain face in Afghanistan. So for the benefit of my Afghan companions, I deliberately turned to my interpreter and spoke in English. Amused, my interpreter repeated my wordsŃin English: 'I am a guest in this country just as you are.' It was important to show that, as a foreigner, this Arab had no business demanding to know who I was. To this he retorted: 'This is our jihad, not yours. Afghanistan does not want you. If I see you again, I'll kill you.'"

—Christian Science Monitor. Edward Girardet describes a personal encounter with Osama bin Laden in 1989.

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