Tape is bin Laden recruiting
BY SALAH NASRAW
http://www.suntimes.com/output/terror/cst-nws-binladen31.html
CAIRO, Egypt -- Osama bin Laden's videotape clearly targets American voters days before an extraordinarily tight presidential election, but also courts another constituency -- young Arabs frustrated and disenchanted but not committed to radical Islam.
Al-Qaida's leader already has extremists on his side, who made it clear in their remarks posted Saturday on Islamic Web sites that they were elated to see him looking healthy and in control of the cause.
But analysts say he is trying to broaden his base and that his words were chosen for more secular young Muslims as well as Americans.
In the tape, parts of which were aired Friday by the Arabic television network Al-Jazeera, bin Laden dropped the usual religious rhetoric and historical references in favor of plain language.
And he pointed to Israeli aggression as his inspiration for the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington. U.S. policy in the Israeli-Palestinian issue drives frustration among many Arabs, from moderates to radicals.
Trying to broaden his base
He struck a tone that was almost conciliatory -- though tinged with threat, telling the American people only four days before the election between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry that he wanted to explain why he ordered the Sept. 11 attacks so Americans can act to prevent a similar strike. Stop harming Muslims, he said, and an attack will be averted.
''Your security is not in the hands of Kerry, Bush or al-Qaida. Your security is in your own hands,'' bin Laden said. ''Americans' security is bound to the policy they adopt regardless of the winner.''
The Bush administration left the terror threat level unchanged Saturday, despite warning state and local officials that the bin Laden video may portend a new terrorist attack. ''We don't have to go to [code level] orange to take action in response either to these tapes or just general action to improve security around the country,'' Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said.
Ridge urged Americans to vote in Tuesday's elections without undue concern.
Wants mainstream status
Bin Laden's language, tone and explanation are out of character with his past, vehement remarks. Analysts warn he's not a changed man, just changing with circumstances. Lebanese writer and political analyst Saad Mehyo pointed to bin Laden's ''new look'' and said the tape reflected a ''high degree of sophistication.''
Bin Laden and his followers ''are showing a degree of maturity and development in order to bring their cause into the mainstream of [Arab-Islamic] causes,'' he said.
''He no longer needs to talk and address devout Muslims, they already support him,'' said Abdel Rahim Ali, an expert on radical Islamic groups.
AP
Me too- but a bit later- perhaps 3EST