On Videotape, Bin Laden Charts a Violent Future

The New York Times ^ | September 9, 2001 | JOHN F. BURNS

[CommiesOut]

he image on the grainy videotape is mesmerizing: a tall, slim, middle- aged Arab man, with the bushy beard, white robes and draped white headcloth of a devout Muslim, standing before a gathering somewhere in Afghanistan. He is reading an Arabic poem, apparently his own, on papers that riffle in a breeze.

The speaker's style is that of the fire-and-brimstone preachers common at Friday Prayers across the Middle East. But he is no imam, nor even, by calling, a poet. He is Osama bin Laden, the 46-year-old Saudi-born fugitive millionaire who has declared a "holy war" against the United States, directing suicide bombings that have made him the F.B.I.'s most-wanted terrorist.

In the verses, read at the wedding in Afghanistan of his oldest son earlier this year, Mr. bin Laden declares his purpose — killing Americans and Jews — more starkly than ever. Proudly, he salutes the suicide bombing of the American destroyer Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden last October in which 17 American sailors died, and promises more attacks.

"The victory of Yemen will continue," he says.

Shots of the Cole listing in Aden harbor after the attack, and of the Americans being carried in flag-covered coffins — and a simulation of the bombing, complete with a blinding flash — are played in the tape's opening and closing sequences.

The shots are taken from American television coverage, and accompanied by what seems like a gloating brutality. "Their limbs were scattered everywhere," Mr. bin Laden says.

The verses also celebrate what Mr. bin Laden describes as the futility of American military might. "In Aden, our brothers rose and destroyed the mighty destroyer, a ship so powerful it spreads fear wherever it sails," Mr. bin Laden says, over images of the Cole.

"But as it moves through the water, toward the small boat bobbing in the water, it is sailing to its own destruction, drawn by the illusion of its own power."

In the Cole attack, two Arab- speaking suicide bombers blew a gaping hole in the destroyer at the waterline with an explosives-laden skiff, causing $250 million damage. While Mr. bin Laden, on the tape, stops short of saying he ordered the strike, he effectively confirms what the F.B.I. suspected from the outset: that it was a bin Laden operation.

Mr. bin Laden uses the tape to spell out a continuing nightmare for his principal enemies, the United States and Israel. He promises an intensified holy war that includes aid to Palestinians fighting Israel — an important shift in emphasis, according to intelligence analysts. In recent years, through a series of violent attacks, Mr. bin Laden's main focus has been on driving American forces from the Arabian peninsula.

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[AM2000]

He urges Muslims everywhere to migrate to Afghanistan to support the Taliban and Al- Qaeda, saying it is their duty to God.

Muslims all over the world should obey bin Laden and migrate to Afghanistan. The "Palestinian" problem would be solved overnight.

[crypt2k]

USAMA BIN LADEN

(note: "Usama" is now the official FBI spelling of his first name.)

[crypt2k]

BIN LADEN SELECTED AS TALIBAN COMMANDER IN CHIEF

[CommiesOut]

Thanks for explanation.
Another world terrorist (this time unofficial spelling): Bubba bin Lying.

[CommiesOut]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN SEPT 09, 2001 13:40:27 ET XXXXX

ROB LOWE: PRESIDENT CLINTON ONCE LET MY KIDS HANDLE NUKE SECRETS

WEST WING star Robe Lowe claims President Clinton once let Lowe's two children play with the special briefcase that holds the coordinates for the nation's nuke bombs!

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Lowe says that during one White House visit -- the president did nothing as his kids toyed with the case across the South Lawn.

"My kids were carrying the football -- the briefcase with the nuclear coordinates with all of our launch codes," Lowe tells the magazine in fresh editions. "My 7-year-old and 4-year-old had the nuclear launch codes of the United States."

The episode occurred after Lowe and his family watched Clinton give a radio talk in the Oval Office, the actor reveals.

[vetvetdoug]

A large wedding in Afghanistan with Bin Laden and his oldest son was not detected by our CIA or any of the other foreign nations security services? Something is rotten here.

[CommiesOut]

They are very very busy in Richardson, Tx so you have to excuse them.

[CommiesOut]

ourintelligenceisinept.bad

Kinda prophetic. WH and Pentagon evacuation.

[Gracey]

Plane crash around Pentagon

[CommiesOut]

Mixed messages from TV. Plane shot down, Pentagon direct hit, etc.

Huge clouds of smoke around the area. All airports locked. Worl Center Tower falling appart.

[CommiesOut]

The Sheeples watch TV and wonder what happened.

[Gracey]

This is WAR!!!!! There's no other way to explain it!!! Feel so helpless - why are we such a helpless nation right now.

There's no sense of security with our military, secret service, FBI, NOTHING!!!!!

The Clintonistas, DAMN the Clintonistas for lowering our security threshold.

[CommiesOut]

Military jets over DC. Kind of explosion around Supreme Court. Total confusion.

[Gracey]

He who harbors Bin Laden is at war with us and that includes Afghanastan!!! We should declare war on them, NOW!!

[CommiesOut]

Another plane hijacked, heading toward DC.

[CommiesOut]

There is almost impossible to call from DC area to anywhere. Had a phone from Europe 15 min ago. Tried to call them back -- no way. Can't even reach my family in 30 mi radius. Total chaos.

[CommiesOut]

Don't worry. The US response will be as dumb as possible. It's almost guaranteed.

[Gracey]

I heard about that HiJacked plane - heading to DC NOW!!!! This is the most horrific WAR we've ever experienced on our soil.

We're reaping the after effects of the Clintonista administration, IMO