US seeks to question bin Laden’s wives

THE United States was hoping yesterday to question the detained three wives of Osama bin Laden, although Pakistani officials played down the possibility of any speedy access, saying no decision had been made.

US investigators, who have been sifting through a huge stash of material seized on May 2 after US special forces killed bin Laden in his Pakistani hideout, want to question his wives as they seek to trace his movements and his network.

A Pakistani decision to allow US investigators to question the women could begin to stabilise relations between the allies that have been severely strained by the al-Qaida leader’s killing.