Bin Laden Tells U.S. to Quit Iraq-Jazeera TV

Reuters ^ | 10-18-03

[Brian S]

Bin Laden Tells U.S. to Quit Iraq-Jazeera TV Sat October 18, 2003 11:50 AM ET

DUBAI (Reuters) - Arabic satellite television Al Jazeera said on Saturday al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had sent an audio message advising the United States to quit Iraq.

The television has yet to broadcast the audio tape but made a text of it available to the media.

[Peach]

When did that happen? Whose laptop was it? 429 airports - sheesh.

[My Favorite Headache]

[Angelus Errare]

Al-Jehani is an interesting case, actually.

He was one of the key organizers of the Riyadh bombings under Turki Mishal Dandani and his boss, Ali Abd al-Ghamdi (a relative to several of the 9/11 hijackers). The order to strike came from Saif al-Adel (who is being hosted at an IRGC military base in Kerman province at last report) and al-Jehani was the man on the ground to lead the attack.

He was a Tora Bora veteran and somehow got ahold of the explosives from the Saudi National Guard (which is directly responsible for protecting the Royal Family). The Saudis initially named him as one of the suicide bombers in the Riyadh attacks, but I guess he's been resurrected since he is listed as still being at large by the CIA.

[Angelus Errare]

I can add you to the informal ping list that me, Dog, and a couple of our FR associates use if you want.

As far as the pictures of these guys go, keep in mind that most of them (especially the ones w/ beards) have likely altered their appearance to some extent since the BOLO was first issued. I also doubt that they're traveling under their real names. Keep in mind that most Arabs can successfully pass themselves off as Hispanics if they have the fake documents to do so.

[Angelus Errare]

More now from CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/10/18/binladen.tape/

In two audiotaped messages broadcast Saturday by the Arabic TV news network Al Jazeera, a man purported to be Osama bin Laden discussed Iraq and threatened to launch suicide attacks against the United States and any countries that help it.

According to a CNN translation, the tapes -- one addressed to Iraqis and Arab Muslims throughout the world, the other to the American people -- feature a man claiming to be the al Qaeda leader discussing suicide attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and the Iraqi Governing Council.

He also gave specific figures for the U.S. economy, saying the country is facing a deficit of more than $450 billion. The United States announced an expected $455 billion budget deficit in the current fiscal year on July 15.

But he also referred to Mahmoud Abbas as though he is still Palestinian prime minister. Abbas resigned from the post on September 6.

CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield said officials are "doing a technical analysis" of the tapes which has "not yet been completed." CIA analysts generally state within two days whether or not they believe voices on tape are who they say they are.

The message to Americans threatened suicide attacks against U.S. citizens in and outside the United States. It called on Americans to reject President Bush's "aggression" against Iraq, which he called part of a Jewish plot "against our religion and our people."

"We will fight you as long as we have weapons in our hands," he said to Americans.

The message to Iraqis and Arab Muslims worldwide called the U.S.-led effort in Iraq "a Christian war" and issued a rallying cry for Muslims to launch jihad operations against the United States and allies helping it. "The aggressors should know we reserve the right to respond at a time and place that we see appropriate," he said, specifically naming England, Spain, Australia, Japan, Poland, and Italy.

Also, the man said, "There's no exception if that country that is helping is an Arab country -- especially Kuwait."

He accused Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Abbas of operating "puppet governments."

He also called on Muslims to fight those in their midst who support democratic solutions to conflicts.

"There are many voices going loud and clear in Iraq -- as before in Egypt, Palestine, Yemen and others -- calling for peaceful, democratic solutions in dealing with infidel governments," the voice said, citing the Iraqi Governing Council as an example. "We have to warn against the danger of this methodology. This is against the Sharia (Islamic law) of God.

"You have no reward but in Jihad," he added, calling those who support the United States "infidels and heretics."

He called on Muslims to continue martyrdom operations against "infidels and crusaders."

"God only knows if I'll find a way to come to the battlefields that you are engaged in," he said.

Here is the Xinhua version:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-10/19/content_1130642.htm

BAGHDAD, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- An audio tape purportedly recorded by al Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden was aired by Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV channel Saturday, calling for jihad, or holy war against the United States that currently led an multinational force in Iraq.

@@In a voice message addressed to US President George W. Bush, bin Laden also called on the United States to withdraw from Iraq, saying "You send your sons to Iraq in order to kill them." The voice on the tape said "America is bogged down in the swamps of Tigris and the Euphrates...Bush (US President) thought Iraq and its oil reserve is a free treasure," but now his troops are in a real "plight."

@@"The United States now call for mercenary soldiers from the West and the East," said the voice, referring to the US-sought contribution of troops and funds from a number of countries. The al Qaida chief threatened to carry out more suicide attacks inside and outside the United States and retaliation against countries joining the US-led coalition forces.

@@"We will go on fighting you and we will carry on martyrdom(suicide) operations in and outside the United States until you stop being unjust," said the voice.

@@"We reserve the right to retaliate at the proper time and place against all countries that take part in this unjust war (against Iraq), namely Britain, Spain, Australia, Poland, Japan and Italy. "In the message to the Iraqis, the speaker said "This is a new crusade on the Islamic world," urging the youth in Iraq's neighboring countries not to follow the voices in Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and elsewhere, which call for democratic and peaceful solutions.

@@The terror master last appeared in early September when al-Jazeera aired a video tape showing him and his top aide Aimen Zawahili walking in mountains, both carrying AK-47 rifles. The pan-Arab space channel has broadcasted several recorded messages claimed to be from terrorist groups and Iraq's ousted leader Saddam Hussein, which encouraged Iraqis to resist the occupying troops.

@@Criticised of inciting violence, the television, along with Dubai-based Arabiya TV channel, has been banned from reporting official events in the US-controled country.

I'm still looking for a complete transcript and will post one as soon as I find it.

[cyncooper]

Ping to read....the article AND the replies, as more information is added and discussed throughout.

[Angelus Errare]

More excerpts, per Reuters:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L18649011.htm

Following are excerpts from two purported audio tapes by Osama bin Laden broadcast on Qatar-based Al Jazeera television on Saturday.

"O Americans...you are mostly a nation of unmannered cowboys who elect boorish liars and are ruled by whoever has the most wealth and influence, especially the Jews who steer you under the ruse of democracy to support Israel and its plans against our religion and at the cost of our land and blood and also at the cost of your blood and economy, as has been proven...

"Bush drove your children to kill and be killed, claiming it was in defence of America and global peace. He hid the truth which is that he is implementing the aims of the Zionist lobby, which helped him into the White House, by destroying the military might of Iraq, which neighbours the Jews in occupied Palestine, without considering the impact on your lives and economy. He is hiding his and the lobby's greed in Iraq's oil...

"I tell Bush: Your cries for help and pleas for mercenary troops from everywhere, even small states, have destroyed your arrogance, belittled you and revealed your weakness after you claimed to defend the whole world.

"Let the unjust know we have the right to respond at any suitable time and place to all who participate in this cruel war -- Britain, Spain, Australia, Poland, Japan, Italy and Muslim states, and especially Kuwait and other Gulf states.

"And I also tell American soldiers in Iraq...your presence on Iraqi soil is a deliberate injustice and a grave foolishness and you are dying so that others may live and profit. Your blood is being shed to fill the coffers of the White House gang and their arms dealers and large corporations...

"We, God willing, will continue to fight you and will continue martyrdom operations inside and outside the United States until you abandon your oppression and foolish acts...

"This second message is to our Muslim brothers in Iraq...

"America is in a quagmire in the Tigris and Euphrates. And Bush, who thought that Iraq and its oil would be easy prey, is facing an embarrassing crisis, thanks be to God. And America today has started to scream at the top of its voice...

"You should know that this war is a new crusade against the Islamic world and is a fateful war for the whole (Muslim) nation and has dangerous repercussions on Islam and its people. O Muslim youth everywhere, and especially in neighbouring countries and Yemen, you must wage jihad (holy war)...

"Muslims in general and Iraqis in particular: Do not support the crusader U.S. forces and their allies and everyone who cooperates with them is an infidel...Any government set up by Americans is an agent and traitor like all regional governments ...Jihad must continue until there is an Islamic government.

"I tell my fellow mujahideen (holy fighters) in Iraq: I share your concerns and emotions and envy your jihad. God knows, if I were to find a way to go to your battlefield, I would...

"O Muslims...do not let those blood-sucking troops scare you with weapons...or with their numbers, for they have started to weaken and crumble militarily and economically and especially after the blessed day of New York...

Still looking for a complete transcript.

[Dog]

"I tell my fellow mujahideen (holy fighters) in Iraq: I share your concerns and emotions and envy your jihad. God knows, if I were to find a way to go to your battlefield, I would...

I'll pay his way to Iraq if that will speed along his meeting with the 72 virgins...

Brave talk coming from a man afraid to show his face .......and who hides in caves..

[Angelus Errare]

I think he considers himself to be too holy to go into the trenches with the grunts, after all he plans on being next caliph, if not the Mahdi. It wouldn't do for his Master Plan(TM) if he died at some point between now and then.

It'd be a fascinating sociological study to edit all of the Islamic rhetoric out this latest tape and then post it anonymously on DU to see how much of it they would agree with. Not that I would suggest such a thing, of course ...

[Peach]

Yes, please add me to the ping list.

It is terribly easy to alter appearance and the way an Arab would get by in my southern town is to dress like the local Hispanic farm workers. I think behavior is the only thing that would make me look twice at one of these guys.

[Dog]

This looks like it was written by someone at DU.....

"And I also tell American soldiers in Iraq...your presence on Iraqi soil is a deliberate injustice and a grave foolishness and you are dying so that others may live and profit. Your blood is being shed to fill the coffers of the White House gang and their arms dealers and large corporations...

And he even brings up the word Quagmire.......tell me he isn't paying attention to our media..

[JustPiper]

AE? Was that the only thing to indicate this tape is current?

[Angelus Errare]

I agree, half of this crap sounds like something I heard from an anti-war screed.

Well, if this is him this tells us that he at least has access to some form of Western media, as well as presumably whatever his minions are telling him. That means that he probably has access to print media, TV, or internet wherever he is.

[Dog]

When one of us finally finds and posts the complete transcript......look for the hidden messages in it.

Like he mentions the $450 billion debt....he is playing with the media.

It is almost like what a serial killer would do to taunt an FBI profiler.

[Dog]

He mentions Abbas the PM Arafat fired...

[MeekOneGOP]

Bin Laden Tells U.S. to Quit Iraq-Jazeera TV

Huh ?? I thought it was Robert Byrd, YESTERDAY on C-Span !

Man ! Ya just can't believe Reuters ! ...

[Dog]

The $450 billion figure he mentions wasn't released by the US government until July 15 th of this year........and Abbas was fired/resigned as PM around Sept 6th..

[Angelus Errare]

The basic references to it being current are:

- US budget references from July 2003

- US efforts to get other nations to send troops into Iraq, including South Korea and Turkey (there is a racial slur at the Turkish offer to send troops)

- A fairly familiarity w/ anti-war conspiracydom involving major corporations and the Zionists (neocons?) taking us into Iraq to begin w/.

- The reference to Mahmood Abbas as the US-backed PA leader.

- The use of the term "quagmire."

- The praise of Ansar al-Islam and the probable reference to the UN suicide bombing.

- The reference to the Iraqi governing council (using that term).

There are others, but those are the big ones for me. If this is him, I honestly don't think that all of this could have been predicted as of late 2001. Maybe he could have predicted that the US would eventually go after Iraq, but the guy isn't Nostradamus by any stretch of imagination and if he could predict all of this in 2001 he should quit the terrorism business altogether and get a job as a consultant somewhere.

Right now I'm in the "trust but verify" mode. I'm going to wait to see what the CIA says about it.

[rdb3]

Arabic satellite television Al Jazeera said on Saturday al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had sent an audio message advising the United States to quit Iraq.

Resident FReeper John Galt agrees.

[Dog Anchor]

Bush "thought that Iraq and its oil is a big treasure,"
the voice said. "Now it is in trouble and resorted to buying mercenary fighters from everywhere."
- Osama bin Laden

"My belief is this money is being shuffled all around to
these political leaders in all parts of the world, bribing them to send in troops,"
- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy