Alleged Qaeda Statement Denies Link to Saudi Blast

Reuters ^ | Sat Nov 15, 2003 | Ghaida Ghantous

[Mossad1967]

DUBAI (Reuters) - A purported statement by Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda network denied it was behind last Sunday's deadly bombing in Saudi Arabia and warned it would carry out a new attack on a major U.S. city within two years.

The statement, carried on Islamist Web site al-Mojahedun (holy fighters), also said that the militant group was behind all attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites).

It was not possible to independently verify the authenticity of the statement, which used the Islamic calendar and had the language and style that is very similar to that of al Qaeda.

"The network fears no one but the Almighty in announcing its attacks and we have no links at all to the Riyadh operations or in targeting the Muhaya compound," the statement said, referring to the housing compound that was attacked in the Saudi capital.

It also warned that al Qaeda, blamed for the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities, planned more attacks on America.

"The next strike on America will be 'Qaeda's hell' and it will be the second attack on one of the biggest U.S. cities within two years maximum," the statement said.

There have been at least two unauthenticated claims by al Qaeda for the Riyadh attacks but they had some factual errors and did not have the authoritative tone of al Qaeda.

The latest statement was attributed to the information section of al Qaeda and said it was written on behalf of its spokesman Sulaiman Abu Ghaith. The Web site, www.mojahedun.com, has in the past carried alleged statements by al Qaeda.

Saudi authorities said al Qaeda was suspected of being behind the attack which killed at least 18, mostly Arab expatriates in Riyadh Sunday. It also blames it for triple suicide bombings in Riyadh in May which killed 35 people.

The statement described the accusations as "propaganda," saying al Qaeda wanted to clarify its position -- that its objective was never to kill innocent Muslims but its slogan has been to kill Jews and Christians.

It said Saudi claims that suspected al Qaeda militants were planning attacks on Muslim pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca were "nonsense aimed at pleasing the United States and Jews."

The statement said the group had only claimed responsibility for one attack in Saudi Arabia -- the 1996 bombing at a U.S. military complex in Khobar which killed 19 American soldiers.

The statement said bin Laden was in good health and running battles in northeast Afghanistan (news - web sites) and some parts of the south.

"The network is fully responsible for all operations in the country of the Tigris and Euphrates (Iraq) so the Americans may have a small taste of what we have tasted," the statement said.

Washington has blamed supporters of ousted President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) and foreign fighters, including al Qaeda, for attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq.

[Mossad1967]

"The next strike on America will be 'Qaeda's hell' and it will be the second attack on one of the biggest U.S. cities within two years maximum," the statement said.

Now it will be within two years. Last week it was by the end of Ramaddan. I am beginning to think that these guys are only able to set off car bombs in foreign countries. We are either doing a great job at stopping these guys, or they are trying to fake us out with their "within two years maximum" comment.

I don't take anything these guys say at face value. Two years can mean two days for these nutjobs. In any event, be vigilant!

[Mr. Mojo]

Looks like Al Qaeda could start taking Hamas' advice.

[Sabertooth]

DUBAI (Reuters) - A purported statement by Osama bin Laden (news - web sites)'s al Qaeda network denied it was behind last Sunday's deadly bombing in Saudi Arabia and warned it would carry out a new attack on a major U.S. city within two years.

The statement, carried on Islamist Web site al-Mojahedun (holy fighters), also said that the militant group was behind all attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites).

And another link (according to Google)...

http://www.eone.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_world_967_11/06/2003_worldportal

I don't read Greek or Arabic, though.

[Mossad1967]

Do you think an attack will come before Thanksgiving?

[Cindy]

LINKS OF INTEREST
http://www.truthusa.com/LinksOfInterest.html

[Cindy]

Mossad - This is in response to your question, "Do you think an attack will come before Thanksgiving?" ==== http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1013726/posts?q=1&&page=1493

---

To: All; piasa; backhoe; Dog; Sabertooth; JohnathanRGalt; JohnGalt; yonif; JackRyanCIA; F14 Pilot; ...

Re your post no. 1484 and a snippet from the "daleel" message #46: "we also promise muslims around the world that the Gift for the eid is on the way to bouth the american goverment and to the israeli goverment and what gift's they are!."

NOTE: The bold lettering is HTML bold as written by the web master at www.mabaig.co.uk. This site is not connected with "daleel" and was used for information purposes only.

SNIPPET From www.mabaig.co.uk - GLOBAL MOON SIGHTING for Ramadan and EID 2003:

"For Eid-ul-Fitr, birth of the Shawwal moon is precisely at 23:00and 1 seconds GMT on November 23rd 2003.This means that a sighting is possible on the following day November 24th 2003, but only in the USA and Western coast of Africa- making their Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday 25th November. This wouldalso be the case for many in Europe who accept a sighting in Morocco or a similar nearby Muslim country - PROVIDED there is a sighting in Morocco. Rest of the Islamic world will only be able to sight the moon on the 25th which obviously means that their Eid would be on Wednesday 26th November"

http://www.mabaig.co.uk/islam/Moon/Ram&EidOctNov2003.html

1,493 posted on 11/16/2003 1:05 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1484 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

[tiamat]

Al-Q generally makes the most noise when they can't get it up!

Tia

[AdmSmith]

Nothing strange with this and no reason to worry.

'Eid-ul-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking.
The celebration at the end of Ramadan is called 'Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). It is a joyous occasion, similar to Christmas in its celebration but with strong religious significance. The giving of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory. Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in the morning, and visit friends and relatives. Greetings of "'Eid mubarak," or "a blessed 'Eid" are exchanged. In some places, children are given gifts or money by their parents and relatives.

[Cindy]

I don't care what the EID festivities are...I was answering a post regarding "Do you think there will be an attack before Thanksgiving?"
I was posting a snip from a terrorist or wanna be terrorist where he mentions his "The Gift of Eid" and I looked up the date and moon cycles which also coordinate with this guy's site.

Thank you for the info though Mr. Smith.

[JustPiper]

BumpPing!

[JustPiper]

Sounds like house repairs, tv repairs, deliveries etc...it will be done/arrive in two weeks, two weeks later its two weeks and son on...ever see The Money Pit with Tom Hanks? -smiles-

[CFC__VRWC]

Well, it is Reuters reporting it, and they're the western world's propaganda organ for al Qaeda. I wonder if this is spin for the Arab street - "We didn't kill Muslims in Saudi Arabia - the Mossad and the CIA did it!"