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Thu 15 Apr, 2004 09:51 am
DUBAI - Arab television stations aired a new audio tape purportedly from Osama bin Laden on Thursday offering a truce with European states if they stop attacking Muslims, but not with the United States.
The voice on the tape, broadcast by Dubai-based Al Arabiya channel and then by Qatar-based Al Jazeera station, said there would be no truce with the United States.
The taped message also vowed revenge on Israel for the death of a Hamas leader.
The speaker on the tape also said the March 11 train bombings in Madrid that killed 191 people were payment for Spain's actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and "Palestine."
"What happened on September 11 and March 11 are your goods returned to you so that you know security is a necessity for all," the voice on the tape said.
It was not immediately possible to verify the authenticity of the tape.
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Full text found by kickycan
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Full text: 'Bin Laden tape'
The following is the text of the tape as broadcast by al-Arabiya:
Praise be to Almighty God; Peace and prayers be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions.
This is a message to our neighbours north of the Mediterranean, containing a reconciliation initiative as a response to their positive reactions.
Praise be to God; praise be to God; praise be to God who created heaven and earth with justice and who allowed the oppressed to punish the oppressor in the same way.
Peace upon those who followed the right path:
'Oppression kills the oppressors'
In my hands there is a message to remind you that justice is a duty towards those whom you love and those whom you do not. And people's rights will not be harmed if the opponent speaks out about them.
The greatest rule of safety is justice, and stopping injustice and aggression. It was said: Oppression kills the oppressors and the hotbed of injustice is evil. The situation in occupied Palestine is an example. What happened on 11 September [2001] and 11 March [the Madrid train bombings] is your commodity that was returned to you.
It is known that security is a pressing necessity for all mankind. We do not agree that you should monopolise it only for yourselves. Also, vigilant people do not allow their politicians to tamper with their security.
Having said this, we would like to inform you that labelling us and our acts as terrorism is also a description of you and of your acts. Reaction comes at the same level as the original action. Our acts are reaction to your own acts, which are represented by the destruction and killing of our kinfolk in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine.
The act that horrified the world; that is, the killing of the old, handicapped [Hamas spiritual leader] Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, may God have mercy on him, is sufficient evidence.
We pledge to God that we will punish America for him, God willing.
Which religion considers your killed ones innocent and our killed ones worthless? And which principle considers your blood real blood and our blood water? Reciprocal treatment is fair and the one who starts injustice bears greater blame.
'Bloodsuckers'
As for your politicians and those who have followed their path, who insist on ignoring the real problem of occupying the entirety of Palestine and exaggerate lies and falsification regarding our right in defence and resistance, they do not respect themselves.
They also disdain the blood and minds of peoples. This is because their falsification increases the shedding of your blood instead of sparing it.
Moreover, the examining of the developments that have been taking place, in terms of killings in our countries and your countries, will make clear an important fact; namely, that injustice is inflicted on us and on you by your politicians, who send your sons - although you are opposed to this - to our countries to kill and be killed.
Therefore, it is in both sides' interest to curb the plans of those who shed the blood of peoples for their narrow personal interest and subservience to the White House gang.
The Zionist lobby is one of the most dangerous and most difficult figures of this group. God willing, we are determined to fight them.
We must take into consideration that this war brings billions of dollars in profit to the major companies, whether it be those that produce weapons or those that contribute to reconstruction, such as the Halliburton Company, its sisters and daughters.
Based on this, it is very clear who is the one benefiting from igniting this war and from the shedding of blood. It is the warlords, the bloodsuckers, who are steering the world policy from behind a curtain.
As for President Bush, the leaders who are revolving in his orbit, the leading media companies and the United Nations, which makes laws for relations between the masters of veto and the slaves of the General Assembly, these are only some of the tools used to deceive and exploit peoples.
All these pose a fatal threat to the whole world.
The Zionist lobby is one of the most dangerous and most difficult figures of this group. God willing, we are determined to fight them.
'Reconciliation initiative'
Based on the above, and in order to deny war merchants a chance and in response to the positive interaction shown by recent events and opinion polls, which indicate that most European peoples want peace, I ask honest people, especially ulema, preachers and merchants, to form a permanent committee to enlighten European peoples of the justice of our causes, above all Palestine. They can make use of the huge potential of the media.
The door of reconciliation is open for three months of the date of announcing this statement.
I also offer a reconciliation initiative to them, whose essence is our commitment to stopping operations against every country that commits itself to not attacking Muslims or interfering in their affairs - including the US conspiracy on the greater Muslim world.
This reconciliation can be renewed once the period signed by the first government expires and a second government is formed with the consent of both parties.
The reconciliation will start with the departure of its last soldier from our country.
The door of reconciliation is open for three months of the date of announcing this statement.
For those who reject reconciliation and want war, we are ready.
As for those who want reconciliation, we have given them a chance. Stop shedding our blood so as to preserve your blood. It is in your hands to apply this easy, yet difficult, formula. You know that the situation will expand and increase if you delay things.
If this happens, do not blame us - blame yourselves.
A rational person does not relinquish his security, money and children to please the liar of the White House.
Had he been truthful about his claim for peace, he would not describe the person who ripped open pregnant women in Sabra and Shatila [reference to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon] and the destroyer of the capitulation process [reference to the Palestinian-Israeli peace process] as a man of peace.
Reality proves our truthfulness and his [George Bush's] lie.
He also would not have lied to people and said that we hate freedom and kill for the sake of killing. Reality proves our truthfulness and his lie.
The killing of the Russians was after their invasion of Afghanistan and Chechnya; the killing of Europeans was after their invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan; and the killing of Americans on the day of New York [reference to 11 September] was after their support of the Jews in Palestine and their invasion of the Arabian Peninsula.
Also, killing them in Somalia was after their invasion of it in Operation Restore Hope. We made them leave without hope, praise be to God.
It is said that prevention is better than cure. A happy person is he who learns a lesson from the experience of others.
Heeding right is better than persisting in falsehood.
Peace be upon those who follow guidance.
LONDON, England (CNN) -- European politicans have ruled out negotiations with Osama bin Laden after a tape purported to be of the al Qaeda leader offered a truce to European nations if they pulled out troops from Muslim countries.
"It is completely unthinkable that we could start negotiations with bin Laden. Everyone understands that," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told reporters.
European Commission President Romano Prodi said there could be no negotiating under a "terrorist threat." (Analysis)
In Britain the Foreign Office said there was no proof the voice on the tape was bin Laden. However, the message was being taken seriously.
"We can't negotiate with al Qaeda," a spokesman said. "Their attacks are against the very idea of co-existence and conflict is their raison d'etre.
"To hide in the face of the threat is not an answer. The right response is to continue to confront terrorism not give in to its demands."
French President Jacques Chirac, during a visit to Algeria, said: "There can be no possible bargaining with terrorists."
Reuters also quoted Chirac as reiterating that there would be no French military involvement in Iraq.
A German government spokesman said the country would not negotiate with "criminals" like bin Laden.
"There will be no negotiations with terrorists and serious criminals like Osama bin Laden. The international community must continue the fight against international terrorism together. Germany will continue to contribute to that," the spokesman said.
Arab language TV network Al-Arabiya aired Wednesday what it said was an audio tape from bin Laden, in which he threatened revenge on America, but offers a truce to European states.
CNN experts who have listened to the tape say that the speaker sounds like bin Laden but there is no way for CNN to independently confirm the speaker's identity.
Dubai-based Al-Arabiya declined to say how it received the tape, but the speaker referred to events that occurred less than a month ago.
In the audio tape, the speaker threatens revenge on the United States for the death of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was killed March 22 in an Israeli targeted helicopter attack in Gaza City.
He also refers to the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States and the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings as examples of actions al Qaeda has taken in response to attacks on Muslims.
He offers a "truce" or "non-aggression" to any European country that stops "attacking Muslims," but excludes the United States from any such deal.
The speaker gives a three-month deadline, starting April 15, for countries to stop attacking Muslims. He mentions Iraq but not in the specific context of the U.S.-led war.
The last tape believed to have been recorded by bin Laden aired in January on Qatar-based Arabic language network, Al Jazeera.
The CIA said the speaker on that tape was "likely" bin Laden, who describes the U.S. involvement in Iraq as the beginning of an occupation of Persian Gulf states for their oil.
"Whoever made the tape," a CIA official said noting the Yassin death reference, it "clearly has been made in the last three weeks."
Intelligence officials conducting a technical analysis of the tape expect to say "soon" whether they believe the comments are the voice of bin Laden.
On March 25, Al Jazeera aired a tape believed to be from bin Laden's top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, calling on Pakistanis to overthrow President Pervez Musharraf.
Is this just me or does this just reek of desperation?
Yeah, I think Bin Laden is getting more and more desperate every day.
No
It doesn't sound like desperation at all. It sounds like Al Q. is
seperating the Allies. Let's see how many countries withdraw their troops from ME in the next few months despite all their talk publicly.
To some Al Q. is a terrorist org. yet to others they are a political armed force. If as Bushco says we are at war with Terrorism then Al Q. must be the target of that war. If it is war then waring nations and factions have been known to negotiate terms of cease fires and truce. I have always believed that negotiation is a viable alternative to endless war.
One by one by one, our allies have told al Qaida a resounding 'no'! They will not be dictated to or extorted by terrorists.
I am so proud of them.
It is unwise to bully a bully you can't defeat. Who does he think he is? For every American who would make such a bargain; there are 2 who would suck his blood like a jonesing crack addict. He may think he was paying us back, but the truth is; he made a couple hundred million enemies that didn't even know his name before 9-11. Now he wants to offer ultimatums? Bring it on!
OCCOM BILL wrote:It is unwise to bully a bully you can't defeat.
Ecellent description of AQ.
Quote: Who does he think he is? For every American who would make such a bargain; there are 2 who would suck his blood like a jonesing crack addict. He may think he was paying us back, but the truth is; he made a couple hundred million enemies that didn't even know his name before 9-11. Now he wants to offer ultimatums? Bring it on!
Here, I presume you are talking about Bush?
Idiocy
Al Q. is not a force to blithly say "Bring it on" to. If they hit your neighborhood, town etc where you live I don't think you'd be talkin' sheeit like that again, if you were alive, that is.
This macho crap is lame. W is a near retard.
The USA has a huge problem with it's arrogant, self righteous, holier than thou, cowboy, macho tude. That infantile stance won't bring anything but grief.
Al Q. has already won a whole lot more than the USA has and Bushco plays right into Al Q. game plan because Bushco is arrogant and dense.
All these nations can bluster publicly but let's see what they do, shall we?
Nope, after reading that; I finally understand why Bush said: "bring it on". I thought it was rather childish at first, too. However, a clear exclamation of defiance is precisely what is called for here, not unlike a population taking to the streets to demonstrate they will NOT cower to a terrorist threat. Any exhibition of cowardice or submission sends precisely the wrong message, and will only serve to convince our enemies we can be subdued by such tactics. I repeat: Bring it on!
Sigh
I could counter your tude once again but this will sufice>
OCCOM BILL wrote:Nope, after reading that; I finally understand why Bush said: "bring it on". I thought it was rather childish at first, too. However, a clear exclamation of defiance is precisely what is called for here, not unlike a population taking to the streets to demonstrate they will NOT cower to a terrorist threat. Any exhibition of cowardice or submission sends precisely the wrong message, and will only serve to convince our enemies we can be subdued by such tactics. I repeat: Bring it on!
Brave words from someone who has no intention of ever haveing to do any of the fighting himself.
(I love that drinking Emoticon)
So how about it, billy-boy...are you willing to "do your share" in the "fight for freedom and democracy?" Or are you really a small man hiding behind big words? If you are 36 or under, you can still join the reserve component. Why didn't you enlist in 2001?
Typical Ad Hominem response Bob. Grow up.
Seems a little tense over here.
gustavratzenhofer wrote:Seems a little tense over here.
Wear your Nomex suit. :wink:
Nah, that's just Bob demonstrating how to attack a poster instead of a post. What's new Gus?
Not much, Bill. Kickycan and myself are in the battle of our lives over at the A2K melee thread.
C'mon over and we'll kick your ass.
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