Osama issues new call to arms

The Observer ^ | November 24, 2002 | Jason Burke

[MadIvan]

A chilling new message from Osama bin Laden is being circulated among British Islamic extremists, calling for attacks on civilians and describing the 'Islamic nation' as 'eager for martyrdom'.

Details of the 4,000-word letter from the terrorist leader emerged as the British Government issued its strongest warning yet last night that attacks by bin Laden's al-Qaeda organisation on the UK are 'inevitable'.

Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien said: 'We face an enemy who will attack us in Britain as well as overseas... British workers in New York or tourists in Bali or residents of London or Birmingham.' O'Brien said there was a threat of 'well planned attacks' on 'British national institutions, commercial and financial infrastructure and on many aspects of our everyday life'.

Security authorities in Europe and America are concerned al-Qaeda is planning a major strike. Two weeks ago bin Laden issued a message on an audio cassette, proving he was alive and raising fears it presaged new attacks.

Britain, with its close support for America in the war on terror and Iraq, is a prime target and analysts believe any military action against Saddam Hussein would provoke a spate of revenge attacks by Islamic militants. Sources described the mood in Whitehall and at Scotland Yard as 'jumpy'.

The translated letter was originally posted in Arabic on a Saudi Arabian website previously used by al-Qaeda to disseminate messages. Within the last two weeks British Islamists have translated the letter, the most comprehensive explanation of bin Laden's ideology to be issued for several years, and posted it on English-language websites run from the UK.

The letter was sent to hundreds of subscribers to an email list run by Mohammed al-Massari, the UK-based Saudi Arabian dissident whose Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights has opposed the al-Saud regime for more than a decade. Yesterday al-Massari denied he supported terrorism in any way. Al-Massari has recently been granted permanent residence in Britain, a move which angered foreign governments who claim that the UK is still a haven for extremists.

Al-Massari's email and bin Laden's letter show ideological similarities. Both stress that the 'holy war' is defensive.

Bin laden issues a direct threat to the West: 'Anyone who tries to destroy our villages and cities, then we are going to destroy their villages and cities. Anyone who steals our fortunes, then we must destroy their economy. Anyone who kills our civilians, then we are going to kill their civilians.'

Most of his letter comprises a lengthy list of grievances against the West. The fugitive terrorist, who is believed to be hiding in the border regions between eastern Afghanistan and Pakistan, mounts a sustained attack on the 'immorality' of Western society.

The letter has been posted on a number of Islamist websites. One carried bomb-making information. Another offered a link to a site with information on chemical and biological weapons.

Although there is no way to confirm the authenticity of the letter beyond all doubt, senior Arab journalists in the Middle Eastern media believe the letter is from bin Laden. 'It is an extraordinary glimpse into his mind,' one told The Observer.

[wordweaver]

Any idea where Super America gets their gas from?

Is there a list of non-ME gas stations/suppliers? I don't want to blindly support the ME countries.

Thanks in advance.

Stay safe.

[tragus]

The rhetoric in the letter against the evil West is expected from bin Laden. What I think is scary is the verses which he used to back up his point. It may be that he is just trying to justify his rhetoric to the more passive Muslims through scripture references from the Koran.

With the recent capture of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, Al Qaeda's Persian Gulf operations chief, it has been reported that we are getting a lot of information out of this guy:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,71116,00.html

In view of this, it is worrisome that this may be coded messages to activate cells before they can be compromised.
The timing of the release a few weeks before Thanksgiving and the reference to Ben Franklin are the scary parts. As I recall, Ben Franklin wanted the national bird to be the Turkey and not the Bald Eagle.

I hope that this is merely my overactive imagination thinking of conspiracy theories.

The English version of his text message can be found at: http://www.observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,845725,00.html

There is no compromise with these people. The only peace that will be achieved is by destroying Al Qaeda and its network.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Sigh! Another oversimplistic Freeper. I am no apologist for Islam but the Quran clearly provides for protection of Christians and Jews who are defined as "People of the Book" (have you even heard that?) Infidels, e.g. pagans, are in a different category. Don't let me stop you, however. Indiscriminatic Muslim bashing obviously makes you feel good. The end result will be futile. No matter how much you beat your chest in anger, the world has over one billion Muslims and they ain't going away any time soon. The Islamist threat will never be stopped unless conservatives recognize that pesky fact.

[truth_seeker]

"Can someone give a good reason why Britain and the U.S. don't expell these radical groups from our countries when they openly advocate violence against our governments, institutions, economies, populations?"

I have reasons, although maybe not good ones.

One could be ordinary freedom of speech, which I believe does NOT extend to fomenting and inciteing terrorism.

A second MIGHT be letting them lead our intelligence operatives, to greater numbers in their (and our) midst. Consider: it would be one thing to just arrest and deport, or try the mullah, alone. But if left to continue his rantings, he may lead to others in their community.

[daylate-dollarshort]

This article goes hand in glove with bin Laden's 'letter to America' posted earlier.

What I want to know is where the hell is the American Islamic communities' denounciation of this BS??

All I hear is some mealy-mouthed politicos proclaiming Islam is a religion of peace. Peace my ass!

We aren't talking some trade agreement here. We're talking about a worldwide threat of extermination of non-believers.That's us!!! I want to hear the neighborhood Islamists openly and plainly state their position. It's past time for blind tolerance.

If you aren't for us, you're against us! Conduct yourself accordingly!!!

IMHO..........

[Austin Willard Wright]

Hmmm...did you welcome and thank the conservative Muslim freepers who were belittled when they tried to condemn radical Islam on this site? Haven't heard from them in a while and no wonder! They got little support, and much grief, when they came here.

[daylate-dollarshort]

Tell that to the captured Russian soldiers in Afghanistan and Chetznya. [sp.]

I'm not a follower of Islam and I doubt you are. The only interpetation of the Quran that is relevant here is the interpetation of these bastards that have vowed to kill us.

It may be your choice to go peacefully to your own slaughter- it's not mine.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Its all about the West. Whatever did we do to them?

It's simple. When they look at the West, they see progress and wealth, and when they look at thenmselves, they see stangnation and poverty. They cannot face the fact that their choices have led to failure, and so they blame the West. BTW, blaming the West (for their failure) is largely how the "leadership" keeps their ignorant populace under control.

[sixmil]

Read this (Full text: bin Laden's 'letter to America' ) and tell me if you don't agree that the only thing keeping Osama from running for the 2004 Democratic Presidential ticket is that he was not born in the US. Take that back, dems probably think that people should be able to be president without being born here.

[Austin Willard Wright]

The only interpretation that is relevant is that of the bastards who tried to kill us? Very odd reasoning there. I, for one, am intersting in encouraging those conservative freepers and their "interpretation" who took risks and condemned Bin Laden on this site. Their reward? They were slammed by the majority of posters.

In view of the fact that there are over one billion Muslims on the planet, I would say that this strategy has a far better chance to accomplish something.

[Nam Vet]

C'mon Ivan, why don't you tell him how you REALLY feel?

Nam Vet

[daylate-dollarshort]

You misquote- I said the bastards who have vowed to kill us.

You attribute some unknown "risks" for comdemning bin Laden to those conservative (and presumably Islamic) freepers and their "interpretation".

If those "conservative freepers" live in this country what pray tell, are the risks they faced if their "interpetation" was also the interpetation of the Islamists in their community?? Hmmmmm.

Could it be that they hold the minority interpetation??

Could it also be that a substantial percentage of the Islamic community does not hold to their interpetation??? After all, haven't Al Queada and Hamas cells been found in NY, Florida, Seattle, Denver, and Washinton D.C just to name a few?

I can't help but notice that the Islamic communities in these and other areas are quick to rise to the discovered cells defense but aren't so quick to reveal their presence.

[daylate-dollarshort]

You misquote- I said the bastards who have vowed to kill us.

You attribute some unknown "risks" for comdemning bin Laden to those conservative (and presumably Islamic) freepers and their "interpretation".

If those "conservative freepers" live in this country what pray tell, are the risks they faced if their "interpetation" was also the interpetation of the Islamists in their community?? Hmmmmm.

Could it be that they hold the minority interpetation??

Could it also be that a substantial percentage of the Islamic community does not hold to their interpetation??? After all, haven't Al Queada and Hamas cells been found in NY, Florida, Seattle, Denver, and Washinton D.C just to name a few?

I can't help but notice that the Islamic communities in these and other areas are quick to rise to the discovered cells defense but aren't so quick to reveal their presence.

[daylate-dollarshort]

Sorry for the double post- not sure how that happened at all.

[Vinnie]

What I want to know is where the hell is the American Islamic communities' denounciation of this BS??

Interesting isn't it? Hardly a peep from the 'peaceful' leaders.
One could almost infer that they are really on OBL's side. /sarcasm

And we and the Brits allow them to pluck the fruits of our lands.

Every unmarried alien M.E. above 18 should be deported now. Then married aliens, then check married naturalized MEs very closely.
Anything less is courting disaster.

[Abar]

Ditching PC's death grip will not only save Britain, but the US and Israel as well.

Will one or more succumb before the others wake up?

[Abar]

And when your rancid excuse of a faith is defeated, the mosques blown up, every last practitioner of clitorectomies shot in the head, and every last burqua burned, humanity will have achieved another victory for freedom.

Bump.

[Abar]

My prediction is that if our government (US) doesn't have the cajones to deal with this problem at home, an angry citizenry will have to do the job...and it won't be graceful.

Bump.

[Abar]

I want to hear the neighborhood Islamists openly and plainly state their position.

They have. Silence is assent.

If Americans wait for outrage and denunciation from the neighboorhood mosque, they will die waiting.

[rs79bm]

SO this is what OSAMA has been doing the past year. Writing this incoherent drivel.