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The London-based Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that "information sources close to Al-Qa'ida said that the organization, headed by Osama bin Laden, is gearing up for a big operation to coincide with Eid Al-Adha [February 2, 2004].(1)

"The information coordinator for the Sahab Institute, which is associated with Al-Qa'ida, said that a new videotape of bin Laden will be circulated shortly before the holiday. He added in an interview with the Internet site Al-Anbaa [The News] that the videotape will surface in conjunction with 'a great event that will shake the region.' He refused to confirm or deny that he was in possession of a pre-taped videotape of bin Laden, and stated only that: 'When the event occurs it will be broadcast by Al-Jazeera television.' "The coordinator explained that he had an agreement with Al-Jazeera by which it was committed to broadcast any videotape that the Sahab Institute provides about Al-Qa'ida. He pointed out that the Institute would sever its relations with the station if it refused to broadcast a videotape, and reiterated that 'the station is obligated to broadcast any videotape we send to it.'

"The coordinator, identified by the nickname 'Abi Osama' [Osama's Father], added: 'We duplicate and edit the videotapes of the organization in special ways, and then send them to news channels, including Al-Jazeera, in response to orders issued to us.' He added that the telecast of the recent bombings in Riyadh, including the bombings in the Al-Muhiya neighborhood in the Saudi capital, is in itself evidence enough of Al-Qa'ida's responsibility for these events."(2)

Endnotes: (1) Eid al-Adha is one of the two major Muslim holidays, and is celebrated on the tenth day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar in which millions of Muslims from around the world make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. (2) Al-Quds Al-Arabi (London), December 9, 2003.