Posted on 09/07/2007 1:04:10 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Osama bin Laden appeared for the first time in three years in a new videotape Friday, telling Americans they should convert to Islam if they want the war in Iraq to end, according to a transcript obtained by ABC News. The videotape appeared to have been recently made, since bin Laden refers to the Democratic victory in COngress and to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was elected in May.
"I invite you to embrace Islam," bin Laden said, according to a transcript posted by ABC News on its Web site.
"It will also achieve your desire to stop the war as a consequence, because as soon as the warmongering owners of the major corporations realize that you have lost confidence in your democratic system and have begun to look for an alternative, and this alternative is Islam, they will run after you to please you and achieve what you want to steer you away from Islam," he said.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
CAIRO, Egypt (AP)—The first new images of Osama bin Laden in nearly three years will be released ahead of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, al-Qaida's media arm announced, a move that would end the terror mastermind's longest period without a message.
The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday it had no credible information warning of an imminent threat to the United States, and analysts noted that al-Qaida tends to mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with a slew of messages.
Still, bin Laden's appearance would be significant. The al-Qaida leader has not appeared in new video footage since October 2004, and he has not put out a new audiotape in more than a year.
The announcement and photo appeared in a banner advertisement on an Islamic militant Web site where al-Qaida's media arm, Al-Sahab, frequently posts messages.
"Soon, God willing, a videotape from the lion sheik Osama bin Laden, God preserve him," the advertisement read, signed by Al-Sahab. Such announcements are usually put out one to three days before the video is posted on the Web.
One difference in his appearance was immediately obvious. The announcement had a still photo from the coming video, showing bin Laden addressing the camera, his beard fully black. In his past videos, bin Laden's beard was almost entirely gray with dark streaks.
Bin Laden's beard appears to have been dyed, a popular practice among Arab leaders, said Rita Katz, director of the SITE Institute, a Washington-based group that monitors terror messages.
"I think it works for their (al-Qaida's) benefit that he looks young, he looks healthy," Katz said.
IntelCenter, which monitors Islamic Web sites and analyzes terror threats, said the video was expected within the next 72 hours, before the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 suicide hijacker attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The anniversary has always been a major media event for al-Qaida—a chance for it to drum up support among extremists, tout itself as the leading militant group and show off its continued survival.
"They've always gone out of their way to commemorate it," said Ben Venzke, chief executive officer of IntelCenter, which is based in Alexandria, Va. "Historically the anniversary of 9-11 has never been drawn to attacks. It's drawn to video releases."
But the fact that bin Laden is delivering the message is significant, he said. Whether the message will indicate a potential attack will depend on what bin Laden says.
The White House said that any new video message from bin Laden would only underscore the threat the United States and other nations face from extremists.
"Six years after 9/11, the arrests in Germany and Denmark this week and the battles we fight against al-Qaida in Iraq, Afghanistan, southeast Asia and around the world remind us of the continuing threat we face from extremists and why we must continue to take the fight to them wherever they are," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House.
Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said he could not confirm the existence of a tape, "and there is no credible information at this time warning of an imminent threat to the homeland." But he said increased activity overseas and recent arrests of militants in Germany reinforce the department's assessment that the country is currently in a period of increased risk.
If bin Laden does appear in new footage, it would be the first images of him since an Oct. 29, 2004 videotape, just before the U.S. presidential elections. In that appearance three years ago, he said America could avoid another 9-11 style attack if it stopped threatening Muslims.
The new video would also end the longest period bin Laden has gone without releasing a message. His last audiotape was on July 1, 2006, in which he welcomed new leader of al-Qaida in Iraq succeeding the slain Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Bin Laden went silent for a similar long stretch before—from Dec. 28, 2004 to Jan. 19, 2006. That absence sparked widespread speculation he was ill, wounded or possibly dead.
There has been little such speculation since then. U.S. officials have repeatedly said over the past year they believe the al-Qaida leader is alive. He is thought to be hiding in the tribal regions of western Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan.
During bin Laden's silence, his deputy Egyptian-born Ayman al-Zawahri has been frequently issuing videos and audiotapes.
Al-Zawahri appeared in a 2006 video marking the 9-11 anniversary. An anniversary video in 2003 showed footage of bin Laden and al-Zawahri walking through mountain paths, with voice-over messages from both leaders.
Preach it sister, long and loud.
I don’t recall a call to convert to Islam before 9/11...
Was there one?
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.”
Therefore,
mohammed doesn’t cut it and neither does the god, allah.
No way. Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.
Hey bin Laden I ain’t giving up pork! I love my chops on the grill. So go peddle your pedophile moon God somewhere else.
Ya know, why is it that the "intelligence" agencies around the world don't authenticate, one hundred percent, that that is bin laden, voice or picture.
Every 3 years or so it's "Weekend at Bernie's" again. Shouldn't be difficult for the world's leading terrorist to have himself videoed with a current edition of the NYT. I'm sure Pinch delivers to bin laden's cave.
Sheesh.
"He's dead, Jim."
5.56mm
*** Did anyone notice that his right eye is sunken down...?? ***
No one is denying that but the fact reamins we are all descended from the creators hand and Ishmael whether at fault or not did not take Gods final Judgement, and others have used it to create an evil stance, we agree there.
“Convert to Islam? Hmm can you give me your address so I can drop by for literature on Islam?!!!”
Brilliant, just brilliant.
Now if Dennis Kucinich can go pick up the literature, we can kill 2 birds with one stone!
I didn’t notice, but perhaps he got punched in the eye, lol.
He is dead....
Amen!
Can we take up a collection and buy these cavemen a new video camera?
just go to the store and get you some pickled pig lips. ;) That’s what I carry.
What kind of fresh hell of photoshop, plastic surgery and John Edward’s barber dye job did I walk into?
Just got in.
You know me, back with the analysis in a few.
“Osama and all you Islamonazis who have converted a religion into a cult:”
Islam has not been hijacked. This is how it began.
Dear OBL (overtly blathering liberal)
Not only did I NOT CONVERT TO ISLAM (i just cant wear a man-dress) but i just re-enlisted in the army reserves after a 10 year absence.
yours truly
me.
Bad News.
Bush Mulls Bin Laden Offer to Convert to Islam
Posted by Sub-DriverOn News/Activism 09/07/2007 4:18:21 PM CDT
click the link
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