From: Andrew Johnson
Date: 2006-01-20 18:18:40
Good Old BL – he pops up when GW is threatened with something – like torture accusations, domestic spying…. Version 1: (Approx 16:50 on 19th Jan 2006) news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/… ‘Bin Laden tape’ warns of attacks Opinion is divided as to whether the voice really is Bin Laden’sArabic TV station al-Jazeera has broadcast an audio tape it says was by the al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden. In it the voice warns that new attacks on the US are being planned, but offers a “long-term truce” to the Americans. If confirmed, it would be the first time Bin Laden has been heard from since December 2004. Last month, al-Jazeera aired a videotape it said dated back to September, showing al-Qaeda’s deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. In it Zawahiri declared that, despite a prolonged absence and rumours about ill health or possible injury, Bin Laden was alive. Veracity unknown US officials have declined to comment on the authenticity of the latest tape. People familiar with Bin Laden’s voice are divided as to whether the voice really is his. The operations are happening in Baghdad and you will see them here at home the minute they are through (with preparations), with God’s permission Voice said to be Bin LadenThe voice on the tape said the reason there had not been an attack in the US since 11 September 2001 was not because of superior US security, but because the group had been engaged in activities in Iraq and because operations in the US “need preparations”. “The operations are happening in Baghdad and you will see them here at home the minute they are through (with preparations), with God’s permission,” he said. Despite the warning of renewed attacks the speaker also offered the US the chance of a long-term truce. “We do not mind offering you a truce that is fair and long-term… so we can build Iraq and Afghanistan… there is no shame in this solution because it prevents wasting of billions of dollars … to merchants of war,” the speaker said. ‘Two al-Qaedas’ The voice spoke of the need for Western nations “not to fight the Muslims on the land”. The BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner says Bin Laden’s chief aggravation is Western countries invading Muslim countries and imposing their beliefs and culture. Bin Laden made Europe a similar truce offer following the Madrid train bombings of March 2004. Our correspondent says that nowadays there are in effect two al-Qaeda’s – the one operating in Iraq, which is led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and carries out low level guerrilla activity on a daily basis. The other is the old leadership, including Bin Laden, believed to be hiding in a mountainous area on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, whose primary role is not to stage operations, but to act as spiritual figureheads and inspiration for others. Version 2: (Approx 18:40 on 19th Jan 2006) news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/… ‘Bin Laden tape’ warns of attacks Opinion is divided as to whether the voice really is Bin Laden’sArabic TV station al-Jazeera has broadcast an audio tape it says is by the al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden. In it, the speaker says new attacks on the US are being planned, but offers a “long-term truce” to the Americans. If confirmed, it would be the first time Bin Laden has been heard from since December 2004. People familiar with Bin Laden’s voice are divided as to whether the voice really is his. US experts are trying to determine the tape’s authenticity. The US quickly rejected the truce offer made on the tape. “We do not negotiate with terrorists. We put them out ofbusiness,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. The operations are happening in Baghdad and you will see them here at home the minute they are through (with preparations), with God’s permission Voice said to be Bin Laden Full transcript The speaker on the tape said the reason there had not been an attack in the US since 11 September 2001 was not because of superior US security, but because the group had been engaged in activities in Iraq – and because operations in the US “need preparations”. “The operations are happening in Baghdad and you will see them here at home the minute they are through (with preparations), with God’s permission,” he said. US officials have said they believe Bin Laden hiding in a mountainous area on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. There is no clear indication of when the tape was recorded. Last month, al-Jazeera aired a videotape it said dated back to September, showing al-Qaeda’s deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. In it, Zawahiri declared that, despite a prolonged absence and rumours about ill-health or possible injury, Bin Laden was alive. Truce offer Despite the warning of renewed attacks, the speaker also offered the US the chance of a long-term truce in light of the fact that US public opinion polls showed growing opposition to the war in Iraq. Your president is misinterpreting public opinion polls which show that the vast majority of you support the withdrawal of your forces from Iraq Voice said to be Bin Laden”We have no objection to responding to this with a long-term truce based on fair conditions,” the speaker said. “We do not mind offering you a truce that is fair and long-term… so we can build Iraq and Afghanistan… there is no shame in this solution because it prevents wasting of billions of dollars. “Your president is misinterpreting public opinion polls which show that the vast majority of you support the withdrawal of your forces from Iraq.” Bin Laden made Europe a similar truce offer following the Madrid train bombings of March 2004. Correspondents say it is an attempt to frighten the public and drive a wedge between them and their governments, which say it is necessary to stay to distance in Iraq, not pull out troops. The BBC’s Justin Webb in Washington says that in the US the immediate political effect of the tape will probably be to boost support for President George W Bush.
