Posted on 01/19/2006 10:52:48 AM PST by Arabs only 600 years behind us
'Bin Laden tape' warns of attacks
Opinion is divided as to whether the voice really is Bin Laden's Arabic 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.
HERE AT HOME????
WTF?
Ya Recon he's in Detroit?..
Seriously.....If I was the one doing the intel on this tape, that would lead me to believe this was a phony...
And how many times have we been told that Iraq isn't part of the war on terror, because Islamist AQ could NEVER work with a secularist like Saddam?? We're STILL being told that today. The new version of the same old rhetoric is that "Iraq has made us lose focus in the WOT"
He's probably renting a cottage in Ithaca.
Was the word for "truce" he used "hudna?"
In other news, Bin Laden offered Congressman Murtha a job in his recently depleted inner leadership circle, and the Democrats offered Bin Laden the position of Minority Whip, saying, "At least he has a plan."
Need photoshop
It should be "Al Jazeera, not this sh** again."
Did you say Ithaca ? The City of EEEEEEEEEEEVIIIIIILLLLL!!
The United States will have their mid-term elections and AQ wants to sway the elections?
No more Wiretapes!
Hudna has a distinct meaning to Islamic fundamentalists, well-versed in their history: The prophet Mohammad struck a legendary, ten-year hudna with the Quraysh tribe that controlled Mecca in the seventh century. Over the following two years, Mohammad rearmed and took advantage of a minor Quraysh infraction to break the hudna and launch the full conquest of Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.
Hey, I have one of them, too!
Whatever happened to Rich Little?
Cheers
Jim
check the koran. There's precedent in there. When Muhammad realized he couldn't destroy a place, he formed a "truce" with them. Then he built up his strength and when the time was right, killed or enslaved them all.
So? The AGE of the various portions, wich it was noted by the CIA were edited together, could NOT be confirmed. THAT is why analysts are careful to say "APPARENTLY referring to...[recent event here]"
Binny ranted every day. All his rants were recorded. Even when we were sure he was still alive, some tapes came out where he ranted the entire time about the Soviet invasion and the Gulf war as theough these were recent or current events.
Naturally....where better for him to blend in?.....;D
Yeah!
I got a fevuh!
Bin Laden assumed room temperature at Tora Bora.
If this doesn't make it OBVIOUS to people that OBL is desperate to get our pressure off, I don't know what would!
Step up the bombings and the raids boys and girls!
God Bless America, President Bush, and our Troops!
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