Bin Laden Tape: Text

BBC News ^ | 3/12/03 | BBC Monitoring

[WillVoteForFood]

If anybody tells you we are going at this situation alone, as numerous media polls and pundits would have us believe, quote them this statement from the diatribe of the cowardly madman:

Amid this unjust war, the war of infidels and debauchees led by America along with its allies and agents, we would like to stress a number of important values:

Even this coward recognizes we are not alone in the soon to be buttkicking of the Hussein regime.

[xzins]

Those soldiers are completely convinced of the injustice and lying of their government. They also lack a fair cause to defend. They only fight for capitalists, usury takers, and the merchants of arms and oil, including the gang of crime at the White House.

It is always interesting to see patently erroneous beliefs or propaganda on display. The above is an example of the same.

Our troops know that civilians were targeted at the World Trade Center and were murdered. That, of course, makes the enemy, and those who provide them haven, a batch of murderers.

[wayoverontheright]

They also depend on massive air strikes so as to conceal their most prominent point of weakness, which is the fear, cowardliness, and the absence of combat spirit among US soldiers.

This was written by someone who wants Iraq OBLITERATED.

Either it's not Bin Laden, or it is, and the dude just doesn't get it.

[Dr.Deth]

This son of a b*tch will never be dead enough.

[rob777]

"Well, much as I hate to say it, this doesn't indicate that al-Qaida is a partner of Iraq. It's more of a call to arms on behalf of Iraq."



I agree, it is hightly unlikely that the secular Iraqi government is providing weapons to a group deeply rooted in Islamic fundamentalism. Saddam may be a monster, but he is not that stupid. Such a course would ultimately be suicidal, as he has been at war with the fundamentalist brand of Islam LONG before he came in conflict with us.

[daviddennis]

I find it a very strange idea that it's supporting Iraq in the name of Islam, while at the same time admitting Saddam is a godless, amoral man.

How is he any better than the US?

Here's a subversive thought: Al Queda would actually be able to operate much more effectively in an Americanized Iraq, with free speech rights and high technology imports. So why should they want their people to fight for Saddam?

D

[Dog Gone]

The last thing al-Qaida wants is a happy arab population friendly to the US. I don't think they'd like US bases in Iraq any better than the ones in Saudi Arabia.

al-Qaida is certainly hoping that an invasion of Iraq will trigger a worldwide Islamic jihad against the West.

Of course, they hoped and asked for that as we were preparing to attack Afghanistan, and it didn't materialize.

It won't this time, either, although they are working hard to trigger it, probably by staging some spectacular terrorism incidents.

[Hoverbug]

You are absolutely correct in everything in your post. The silence of the Islamic world on this tape and it’s content speaks volumes.

After reading my original post, it seems to me it might be misinterpreted, so I’d like to take this opportunity to let everyone know that the one word on GW’s tape (‘Duck!’) was in reply to and directed at Bin Hidin’ and his ilk, not at Americans.

[steve-b]

Convincing people that Osama bin Dead is as hard as convincing Clinton that he really, truly, is not the President any more.

[El Gato]

The modified C-130 aircraft kept carpet-bombing us at night, using modern types of bombs.

????? C-130 don't carpet bomb, a derisive term for area bombing. The only bombs they drop are the Daisy Cutters. Another type, the AC-130 does rain down a humongous volume of fire, mostly 20mm and 40mm, but 105 howitzer fire also.

This reads like it was written by some Hollyweird leftist, not cave dweller out of the 7th century.

[ravingnutter]

Food for thought...

From a lawsuit I found on Find Law

Ashton, et al. v. al Qaeda, et al.: Complaint (PDF) Lawsuit claiming a 9/11 link between Iraq and al Qaeda. Sept. 3, 2002

Some excerpts:

103. On July 21, approximately six weeks before the September 11 th attacks, IRAQI columnist Mulhalhal reported that BIN LADEN was making plans to “demolish the Pentagon after he destroys the White House.”

104. Mulhalhal’s July 21 article further informed that BIN LADEN would strike America “on the arm that is already hurting.” Upon information and belief, this references a second IRAQI sponsored attack on the World Trade Center. This interpretation is further bolstered by another reference to New York as “[BIN LADEN] will curse the memory of Frank Sinatra everytime he hears his songs.” (e.g., “New York, New York”) identifying New York, New York as a target.

105. Mulhalhal further indicated, “The wings of a dove and the bullet are all but one and the same in the heart of a believer.” (Emphasis supplied) This appears to be a reference to the use of commercial aircraft as a weapon. The information was reported in an IRAQI newspaper who’s editor-in-chief serves as secretary to UDAY HUSSEIN’S Iraqi Syndicate of Journalists. The article expressed IRAQI admiration and support for BIN LADEN’s plans and its appearance in the newspaper would clearly have to be endorsed by SADDAM HUSSEIN himself.

106. All IRAQI news media is strictly controlled and censored by the government of SADDAM HUSSEIN and is under the direct oversight of UDAY HUSSEIN. Various members of IRAQI intelligence work at and control the content of each and every newspaper published inside IRAQ.

107. The information contained in Mulhalhal’s published statements were known prior to the events of September 11 th , and that Mulhalhal has ties to IRAQI intelligence, demonstrates foreknowledge of the planned attacks by BIN LADEN and indicates support by IRAQI co-conspirators.

In reference to Bin Laden's previous statements...here is one example that is included in the document above.

57. In February 1997, BIN LADEN publicly expressed his support for IRAQ in its conflict with the United States stating:

“The hearts of the Muslims are filled with hatred towards the United States of America and the American president for American conduct towards IRAQ.”

[ravingnutter]

Here is a link to the story...

Ople links Iraqi diplomat to Abu Sayyaf bombings

It also states:

Western intelligence agencies have linked the group to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network tagged behind the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the US.

[Monty22]

In all seriousness... What the hell is this crap?

All these bin laden 'tapes' could just be DNC memos that were leaked.

[ARCADIA]

Well, much as I hate to say it, [bin Laden's message] doesn't indicate that al-Qaida is a partner of Iraq. It's more of a call to arms on behalf of Iraq.

It's not a subtle difference.

I thought the same thing, too.

The Guardian speculates that Powell mentioned the message before it was broadcast in order to put his own spin on it. However, Debka (...I know) reports that the message mentioned by Powell was different from one broadcast later in the day. The Guardian states that the message received by Birmingham England Arabic network was different than the one broadcast by Al-Jazeera.

Before the message was aired and the text came out, I heard two things previewed in the media that were not in the version broadcast.

1. Bin Laden claiming that America did not get the message he sent in New York and Washington (source Debka)

2. Bin Laden urging Muslims to kill Americans and Jews in secret ways (don't remember source)

What makes me think that there were two messages is that Al-Jazeera sort of fumbled a bit yet, first they had it, then they didn't. So, it got me thinking ... maybe there was an earlier more inflamatory message, that they decided not to run it after Powell's testimony - hence their claiming they don't have one. Later, when a more moderate version was available, they ran with it.

Any thoughts?

[ravingnutter]

A follow-up story about the Iraqi Diplomat:

Iraqi Diplomat Ordered to Leave Philippines

[cyncooper]

I agree, it is hightly unlikely that the secular Iraqi government is providing weapons to a group deeply rooted in Islamic fundamentalism. Saddam may be a monster, but he is not that stupid.

Have you missed recent revelations that US intelligence has uncovered contacts between bin Laden and Iraq going back to the nineties? Powell, in his presentation last week spoke of this.

Why are so many only focusing on one aspect of evidence produced at a time and not considering the entire scope?

[cyncooper]

I find it a very strange idea that it's supporting Iraq in the name of Islam, while at the same time admitting Saddam is a godless, amoral man.

How is he any better than the US?

You're looking for rationality here?

This guy recruited suicide hijackers to kill thousands and he STILL thinks he has the moral highground.

[daviddennis]

Good point. If the new Iraqi government is broadly satisfactory to its citizens, it's game over for Al Queda. They can't like the way Iran's going, with broad public discontent over the theocracy. The only chance Al Queda would have of true success is a Saddam-style dictatorship similar in character to the Taliban.

Saddam has similar ambitions to Al Queda - a pan-arab government combining the region. It surprises me a bit that Al Queda wouldn't simply ally with Saddam, who would change his religion in a heartbeat to retain power (as we have seen). I'm sure he'd be willing to let them enforce religious law (apparently their obsession) if he kept overall power. The trade could work well for both, although it would keep a miserable, bankrupt people miserable and bankrupt.

If bin Laden(*) allied with Saddam, he could make a much more definite statement than he made. I think his statement is likely to provide tepid support at best, because he acknowledges that support for his side of the war is support for an evil person, with is far from inspiring in my view.

Maybe he should have accepted Saddam's conversion to Islam, at least as a tactical point?

The individuals whose decisions would trigger a worldwide jihad against the US only want to support winners. That was clear after what happened in Afgahaistan. Once they found out bin Laden was going to lose, all his support vanished. Even if Al Queda was successful in showy, dramatic attacks, that doesn't make him a winner on the ground in Iraq, and I'm sure they are very much aware of this. So I don't think even a successful attack on the US would help him much in supporting Saddam.

I have to be guardedly optimistic about this considering that they haven't pulled off any dramatic operations on American soil since 9/11. This makes me think they have a much smaller base of truly competent people than originally thought.

D

(*) Or his successors. I recognize that he is probably dead.

[cyncooper]

Sides the original MSNBC article stated "At the same time, the message called on Iraqis to rise up and oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein who is a secular leader"

MSNBC did broadcast this interpretation several times yesterday--early after the tape's release. I reported what I had heard,but you are the first one to verify. Of course, they are the ONLY ones who reported this and have since backed off. Especially since at least one ME expert informed them that bin Laden basically calls on Muslims to put aside political differences, such as socialism, and band together to annihilate the "crusaders" (us and Israel).

Clearly MSNBC was eager to paint Powell and the Bush administration as inept or deceptive regarding the revelation of the tape.

It was a disgraceful performance by MSNBC and was being perpetuated to a certain extent by Jeannie Ohm, the WH reporter, this morning--only to a certain extent, mind you, but unwilling to recognize what other translations have presented.

Did MSNBC actually print the above interpretation--that the tape called for Saddam's ouster?

[GeekDejure]

The most heinous and barbaric crime in this world would be to stop an individual from thinking freely. And when such a crime is "legalised" in the form of a "religion," one can easily imagine how disastrous it can be.

Islam is such a religion !!!

Islam imposes a threat to the whole world ... which is far worse than deforestation, nuclear destruction or AIDS. It is an insidious, devilish disease creeping into the veins of the world. Every individual must realize the destructive and evil nature of this religion, for it eats away at the very foundation of humanity which is ... an individual's ability to think individually and act accordingly !!!

.