Posted on 04/15/2004 4:28:48 AM PDT by kattracks
LONDON (AFP) - Britain rejected an offer of a truce with European nations attributed to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (news - web sites), saying the notion of an armistice with terrorists was "an absurdity".
The offer of peace if European countries withdrew troops from Muslim nations, made in an audio tape purportedly from bin Laden, was "a cynical ploy", a Foreign Office spokesman said.
"The idea of an armistice with a group that defines itself by violence is an absurdity," he said.
The voice on the cassette, the authenticity of which could not be verified, was broadcast by Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television.
It offered a "reconciliation initiative" to European countries if they pledged not to be aggressive towards Muslims, "like the American plot against the big Islamic world".
The voice said the offer -- to be left open for three months -- came after opinion polls showed that European people wanted peace.
"In reviewing events taking place in our countries and in yours, an important truth is evident: we both face injustice because of your politicians," it said.
"It is in the interest of both parties to deprive them of spilling people's blood for their own interests and in their following of the White House."
"This is a cynical ploy to split Europe and the US," the Foreign Office spokesman said.
"Neither we nor our European partners are going to be intimidated into withdrawing from action against terrorism or to break the trans-Atlantic alliance that has been the cornerstone of our freedom and defence policy for decades."
In Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said discussing a peace deal apparently offered by Osama bin Laden to European countries would be "unthinkable".
"It is absolutely unthinkable that we could sit around a table for discussions with bin Laden, everyone understands that," Frattini told reporters.
Frattini was speaking after the murder of one of four Italian hostages kidnapped by insurgents in Iraq (news - web sites) who are demanding the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from the country.
Tell that to the Spaniards, the French and the Germans.
You gotta love the Brits. They never did learn to cook, but nobody touches them in their effective use of the English language.
EU's Prodi says "no possibility" of accepting 'Bin Laden' offer
SHANGHAI (AFP) - European Commission (news - web sites) President Romano Prodi said there was "no possibility" of European nations accepting a truce offer attributed to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (news - web sites).
"How could you possibly react to this statement? There is no possibility for a deal under a terrorist threat. It is completely impossible," he told reporters in Shanghai.
The offer of peace, if European countries withdrew troops from Muslim nations, was made in an audio tape purportedly from bin Laden.
"I present a reconciliation initiative ... and we are committed to stop operations against all (European) countries if they commit to not being aggressive towards Muslims," said the voice on the tape.
The tape, whose authenticity could not be verified, was broadcast by Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television. The sound quality was poor and the wording was ambiguous.
The speaker also vowed to avenge Israel's March 22 killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder and spiritual leader of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas.
"How could you possibly react to this statement? There is no possibility for a deal under a terrorist threat. It is completely impossible," he told reporters in Shanghai.
But does he speak for the Axis of Weasels (for the record, President Prodi is Italian)? I also note that Prodi's term as EC President is up this year.
They don't need to battle with Europe. The Ricin pellet of immigration is in place.
BERLIN, April 15 (Reuters) - Germany won't negotiate with "criminals" like Osama bin Laden, a government spokesman said on Thursday after a purported audio tape of his voice offered a truce to Europeans if they pulled troops out of Muslim nations.
Germany says will not negotiate with bin Laden
"There will be no negotiations with terrorists and serious criminals like Osama bin Laden. The international community must continue the fight against international terrorism toegther. Germany will continue to contribute to that," the spokesman said.
Is not one of the first objectives of war to disrupt the enemy's communications?
Why haven't we destroyed the sattelites that broadcast Al Jazera and Al Arabia?
(Adds background)
Germany says will not negotiate with bin Laden
BERLIN, April 15 (Reuters) - Germany won't negotiate with "criminals" like Osama bin Laden, a government spokesman said on Thursday after a purported audio tape of his voice offered a truce to Europeans if they pulled troops out of Muslim nations.
"There will be no negotiations with terrorists and serious criminals like Osama bin Laden. The international community must continue the fight against international terrorism toegther. Germany will continue to contribute to that," the spokesman said.
Germany refused to join the U.S.-led war in Iraq and has ruled out sending soldiers there but has around 2,000 troops in Afghanistan overseeing reconstruction and disarming former fighters.
The voice on the tape, aired on Arab television on Thursday, offered a conditional truce to Europeans but vowed to continue fighting the United States and Israel.
The voice, which sounded like that on previous broadcasts believed to be genuine, also said that the March 11 train bombings in Madrid that killed 191 people were retaliation for Spain's role in Iraq, Afghanistan and with the Palestinians.
That's a fourth of the Weasels. I would presume that because one of al-Qaida's cause celebs is Chechnya, Russia will make it half the Weasels not accepting the offer.
Anyone taking odds that the "surrender monkey" half of the Axis waves the white flag?
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