Reply #24: Yes, all that you write is indisputably true. However, I think it is safe

[coalition_unwilling]

to conclude that an unnamed U.S. security source did tell Reuters that the mission was to kill OBL. There's nothing unusual in his (or her) choosing to remain unnamed and, I submit, Washington would cease to function normally if leaks not for attribution stopped.

I don't know why Reuters did not get a confirming source, even without attribution (except that DC today was probably a journalistic nightmare). In fairness to your posts, I did see one DUer earlier today cast some doubt on the bona fides of the journalist who wrote the Reuters story. However, try as I might now, i am unable to locate that skeptical remark which goes to the reliability of the material. His quibble with the Reuters journalist was couched in rather vague terms, IIRC.