CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri said in a videotape aired Monday that President Bush was a "butcher" and a "failure" because of a deadly U.S. airstrike in Pakistan targeting the bin Laden deputy.
Al-Zawahri, shown in the video wearing white robes and a white turban, said a Jan. 13 airstrike in the eastern village of Damadola killed "innocents," and he said the United States had ignored an offer from al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden for a truce.
"Butcher of Washington, you are not only defeated and a liar, but also a failure. You are a curse on your own nation," he said, referring to Bush. "Bush, do you know where I am? I am among the Muslim masses."
The airstrike hit a building in Damadola, killing four al-Qaida leaders. Thirteen villagers also were killed in the strike, angering many Pakistanis.
The video was Zawahri's first appearance since the airstrike.
"My second message is to the American people, who are drowning in illusions. I tell you that Bush and his gang are shedding your blood and wasting your money in frustrated adventures," he said, speaking in a forceful and angry voice.
"The lion of Islam, Sheik Osama bin Laden, may God protect him, offered you a decent exit from your dilemma. But your leaders, who are keen to accumulate wealth, insist on throwing you in battles and killing your souls in Iraq and Afghanistan and — God willing — on your own land."
The video came in the wake of a Jan. 19 audiotape by bin Laden in which he warned that al-Qaida is preparing attacks in the United States but offered a truce "with fair conditions" to build Iraq and Afghanistan.
The tape — aired on Al-Jazeera — was the first message from bin Laden in more than a year.
"Bush, do you know where I am? I am among the Muslim masses."
Now that took courage....(rolling eyes)
"...he said, speaking in a forceful and angry voice."
We're getting to him. Good. Now we just need to get him.
"killing your souls... — God willing — on your own land."
Hasn't happened since 9/11 and maybe the Anthrax attacks (remember those? and wonder why they just stopped?), and I'm sure it's not from their lack of trying. I think there is next to no support for their desire to attack us here in the United States, even among our Arab and Muslim population. (Though I'm sure there are some who support the other views he and his merry band of demons hold.)
That, and we have a President with a plan and the balls to implement it, and the most awesome armed forces in the world.
You've already lost Zawahiri, you just don't realize it yet.
Time to target the Muslim masses, as well
Ayman, screw you and screw your damn tapes!
"Bush, do you know where I am? I am among the Muslim masses."
Pretty much sums it up for me.
This could easily have been spoken by Kerry or Kennedy, or for that manner any of the DNC or MSM.
Something I find interesting in your reply is the dates.
Like:
"Al-Zawahri, shown in the video wearing white robes and a white turban, said a Jan. 13 airstrike in the eastern village of Damadola killed "innocents," and he said the United States had ignored an offer from al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden for a truce."
And:
"The video came in the wake of a Jan. 19 audiotape by bin Laden in which he warned that al-Qaida is preparing attacks in the United States but offered a truce "with fair conditions" to build Iraq and Afghanistan."
It looks to me like Zawahiri did not know that we had not gotten Bin Laden's tape before the strike against Zawahiri.
Maybe Zawahiri has been missing a lot of news lately.
Any one got any theories on this?