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Review of Bin Ladens latest release

pop pickers | 19.01.2006 17:21 | Analysis | Culture | Globalisation | World

With a surprise new audio cassette released this week, Bin Laden is back in the media spotlight. It seems to be a hit already even though few people have actually heard it, so we decided to check it out and bring you the score...

No doubts many of his oldest fans will say they prefer his earlier stuff but nether-the-less, for an old and infirmed guy Bin has pulled out another cracker just as his critics have been saying he is dead ( http://english.people.com.cn/200601/16/eng20060116_235812.html).

While self named 'terrorism experts' have been making money doing media interviews explaining that the controversial Al Qaeda lead man is almost certainly dead since he has failed to release any new material for almost a year - it seems that Osama has been busy in the recording cave somewhere in the Afghan hills.

The new tape covers much of the same ground as his earlier work but adds some contemporary western style, perhaps in order to break into USA audiences and win them over to his ever more fashionable tune. In fact he goes so far as to almost thank america for providing a new market for his material in Iraq where he now has a growing band of followers.

Brilliant timing, Bin's new release is set to knock Iran off the top spot for at least a while and also comes as an ironic slap in the face for the US State Department official Henry Crumpton who only a couple of days ago was saying, "no sign of life from Bin Laden, I think that reflects our collective success". He added: "I think and hope al-Qaeda are more concerned about staying alive than plotting the next 9/11."

Bin Laden has not been heard of since a December 27 2004 audiotape in which he named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Iraq's most wanted man, as al-Qaeda's leader in the war-torn country. However with what seems like an erie premonition the US official also warned the Osamas group was still intent on repeating their smash hit, 9/11.

The tape was first broadcast on the Arabic equivalent to MTV, Aljazeera, and some of Osama's biggest fans have interpreted the cryptic lyrics on the tape to mean that a new U.S. tour by his group Al Qaeda is coming soon, "The new operations of al-Qaida has not happened not because we could not penetrate the security measures. It is being prepared and you'll see it in your homeland very soon", says the voice on the tape.

The tape appears to be aimed at the American public and contains a special offer, "We do not mind establishing a long-term truce between us and you", it says, although terms and conditions do apply.

"My message to you is about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and how to end them. I did not intend to speak to you about this because this issue has already been decided. Only metal breaks metal, and our situation, thank God, is only getting better and better, while your situation is the opposite of that.

"But I plan to speak about the repeated errors your President Bush has committed in comments on the results of your polls that show an overwhelming majority of you want the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. But he has opposed this wish and said that withdrawing troops sends the wrong message to opponents, that it is better to fight them [Bin Laden's followers] on their land than their fighting us [Americans] on our land.

"I can reply to these errors by saying that war in Iraq is raging with no letup, and operations in Afghanistan are escalating in our favor, thank God, and Pentagon figures show the number of your dead and wounded is increasing, not to mention the massive material losses, the destruction of the soldiers' morale there and the rise in cases of suicide among them.

"So you can imagine the state of psychological breakdown that afflicts a soldier as he gathers the remains of his colleagues after they stepped on land mines that tore them apart. After this situation, the soldier is caught between two hard options. He either refuses to leave his military camp on patrols and is therefore dogged by ruthless punishments enacted by the Vietnam butcher [U.S. Army] or he gets destroyed by the mines. This puts him under psychological pressure, fear and humiliation while his nation is ignorant of that [what is going on].

"The soldier has no solution except to commit suicide. That is a strong message to you, written by his soul, blood and pain, to save what can be saved from this hell. The solution is in your hands if you care about them [the soldiers]. The news of our brother mujahedin is different from what the Pentagon publishes. They [the news of mujahedin] and what the media report is the truth of what is happening on the ground. And what deepens the doubt over the White House's information is the fact that it targets the media reporting the truth from the ground. And it has appeared lately, supported by documents, that the butcher of freedom in the world [Bush] had decided to bomb the headquarters of the Al Jazeera in Qatar after bombing its offices in Kabul and Baghdad.

"On another issue, jihad [holy war] is ongoing, thank God, despite all the oppressive measures adopted by the U.S. Army and its agents, to a point where there is no difference between this criminality and Saddam's criminality, as it has reached the degree of raping women and taking them as hostages instead of their husbands.

"As for torturing men, they have used burning chemical acids and drills on their joints. And when they give up on [interrogating] them, they sometimes use the drills on their heads until they die. Read, if you will, the reports of the horrors in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo prisons.

"And I say that, despite all the barbaric methods, they have not broken the fierceness of the resistance. The mujahedin, thank God, are increasing in number and strength — so much so that reports point to the ultimate failure and defeat of the unlucky quartet of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz. Declaring this defeat is just a matter of time, depending partly on how much the American people know of the size of this tragedy. The sensible people realize that Bush does not have a plan to make his alleged victory in Iraq come true.

"And if you compare the small number of dead on the day that Bush announced the end of major operations in that fake, ridiculous show aboard the aircraft carrier with the tenfold number of dead and wounded who were killed in the smaller operations, you would know the truth of what I say. This is that Bush and his administration do not have the will or the ability to get out of Iraq for their own private, suspect reasons.

"And so to return to the issue, I say that results of polls please those who are sensible, and Bush's opposition to them is a mistake. The reality shows that the war against America and its allies has not been limited to Iraq as he [Bush] claims. Iraq has become a point of attraction and restorer of [our] energies. At the same time, the mujahedin, with God's grace, have managed repeatedly to penetrate all security measures adopted by the unjust allied countries. The proof of that is the explosions you have seen in the capitals of the European nations that are in this aggressive coalition. The delay in similar operations happening in America has not been because of failure to break through your security measures. The operations are under preparation, and you will see them in your homes the minute they are through [with preparations], with God's permission.

"Based on what has been said, this shows the errors of Bush's statement — the one that slipped from him — which is at the heart of polls calling for withdrawing the troops. It is better that we [Americans] don't fight Muslims on their lands and that they don't fight us on ours.

"We don't mind offering you a long-term truce on fair conditions that we adhere to. We are a nation that God has forbidden to lie and cheat. So both sides can enjoy security and stability under this truce so we can build Iraq and Afghanistan, which have been destroyed in this war. There is no shame in this solution, which prevents the wasting of billions of dollars that have gone to those with influence and merchants of war in America who have supported Bush's election campaign with billions of dollars — which lets us understand the insistence by Bush and his gang to carry on with war.

"If you are sincere in your desire for peace and security, we have answered you. And if Bush decides to carry on with his lies and oppression, then it would be useful for you to read the book "Rogue State," which states in its introduction: "If I were president, I would stop the attacks on the United States: First I would give an apology to all the widows and orphans and those who were tortured. Then I would announce that American interference in the nations of the world has ended once and for all."

"Finally, I say that war will go either in our favor or yours. If it is the former, it means your loss and your shame forever, and it is headed in this course. If it is the latter, read history! We are people who do not stand for injustice, and we will seek revenge all our lives. The nights and days will not pass without us taking vengeance like on Sept. 11, God permitting. Your minds will be troubled and your lives embittered. As for us, we have nothing to lose. A swimmer in the ocean does not fear the rain. You have occupied our lands, offended our honor and dignity and let out our blood and stolen our money and destroyed our houses and played with our security, and we will give you the same treatment.

"You have tried to prevent us from leading a dignified life, but you will not be able to prevent us from a dignified death. Failing to carry out jihad, which is called for in our religion, is a sin. The best death to us is under the shadows of swords. Don't let your strength and modern arms fool you. They win a few battles but lose the war. Patience and steadfastness are much better. We were patient in fighting the Soviet Union with simple weapons for 10 years, and we bled their economy, and now they are nothing.

"In that there is a lesson for you. "

So, haunting new lyrics from the Al Qaeda lead voice, Osama Bin Laden and no doubt this tape will push his name back to the top of the headlines for a day or two at least.

pop pickers

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

A slightly more serious analysis

19.01.2006 18:17

There are a number of thoughts I've had about the contents and timing of this tape. Ignoring the obvious and in fact mostly insignificant fact that there is no evidence that the voice on the tape is Osama Bin Laden and that he may indeed have died last April for all we know, the timing of the release seems no coincidence.

Only two days ago the media was full of stories quoting U.S officials saying that Bin Laden might still be alive and threatening more attacks on the US and Europe, then, surprise surprise, Al Jazeera receive a tape apparently backing the US fear mongering.

Now I at this stage i am not going to explore to deeply the idea that the release of the tape helps the US position by reinforcing the 'boogie man' scare tactic on an already scared American public. I also won't spend to much time on how the tape assists the media in updating their cult of the celebrity in relation to the so-called war on terror rather than looking at the issues. I also won't discuss in depth how the mainstream media will concentrate again, like they have with previous statements from Al Qaede, on the threats in the messages rather than the offers of peace or the conditions. I won't dwell on how the offer of a truce in exchange for US withdrawal from Iraq could force the US to stay longer in order not to loss face and I won't mention that that might be exactly what Bush wants? Finally, I won't touch on the way in which stories such as these act as a distraction from more real pressing concerns for most people on the planet, instead I'll just say, I agree, his earlier stuff was better.

terror expert


Booga, Booga, Booga!!

19.01.2006 20:10


CTV.ca News Staff

An audio tape confirmed to carry the voice of Osama bin Laden warns that al Qaeda is preparing new attacks on the United States, but also offers the opportunity for "a long-term truce".

("Confirmed" by whom, I wonder? Perhaps the same people who "confirmed" the threat posed by Saddam's vast arsenal of WMD? What impeccable timing, just as Bush([search])/PNAC gear up for two more wars. The pattern is unmistakable now, and only illustrates the arrogance of the Fascists.)

The taped statement, aired on the Arab television network Al Jazeera, says plans for the terror attacks are already underway.

Reuters news agency reports that U.S. intelligence analysts have authenticated the tape as a genuine message from bin Laden, according to CIA official on condition of anonymity.

(Yep, the "WMD" guys ...)

The voice says the reason there has been no attack in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001, was not because of heightened security measures, but because operations in the U.S. "need preparations".

"Our mujahedeen were able to overcome all the security measures in European countries and you saw their operation in major European capitals. As for similar operations taking place in America, it's only a matter of time. You will see them in the heart of your land as soon as the planning is complete."

The tape also says al Qaeda is open to a conditional truce with the Americans to rebuild Iraq([search]) and Afghanistan.

"Based on what I have said, it is better not to fight the Muslims on their land. We do not mind offering you a truce that is fair and long-term. ... So we can build Iraq and Afghanistan ... there is no shame in this solution because it prevents wasting of billions of dollars ... to merchants of war."

Washington quickly rejected the truce offer made on the tape.

"We do not negotiate with terrorists. (Or intelligence agents pretending to be terrorists!) We put them out of business (Obviously not, if this is really Tim Osman - sorry, Bin Laden. That was just his alias when he was ';officially' working for the CIA ...)," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters Thursday.

The tape, which Al Jazeera says was recorded in December, also cites American opinion polls, saying most Americans want U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq.

"Your President Bush has been misleading you. He has lied when he said that the people are behind him. Opinion polls have indicated that the overwhelming majority of you want him to pull the troops out of our land."

The audio tape is the first time bin Laden has been heard from since he released two audio tapes in December 2004.

The first of those messages mentioned the attack on the U.S. Consul offices in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier that month that left five people dead.

The second message heard bin Laden announcing the appointment of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq.

(I guess that let's the US/UK off the hook. Now they don't have to produce any evidence that the one-legged "terrorist mastermind", whose death in Afghanistan they claimed a "success in the War On Terror" is even in Iraq. How nice of ole Tim Laden to say that for them!)

 http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060119/osama_bin_laden_060119

Yes, Bush, We're All Blind Idiots


The Bin Laden Tapes: Fact or Fiction

20.01.2006 06:19

The Bin Laden Tapes: Fact or Fiction

by Jason Kernahan

05/10/04 "ICH" -- The audiotapes of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein have become an extremely important link between these figures and the outside world. Through them they have been able to convey political rhetoric to their enemies and followers alike, to issue threats, and even claim responsibility for terrorist acts perpetrated by their followers.

So while their usefulness can hardly be questioned, how much do we really know about the origins of these audiotapes, or their authenticity? Precious little time is dedicated to such considerations. But as we will see, closer scrutiny will actually shake our certainty in both departments and hopefully inspire a reevaluation of the standards by which we judge similar evidence in the future.

Firstly, consider that any understanding of the motive behind any of these audiotapes invariably depends on assumptions about their source.

But we actually have no reason whatsoever to believe that these tapes are authentic. While there have been reports of scientific voice analyses performed on them, these studies have been invariably done by CIA experts. In fact, on only one occasion was an independent analysis done. And while US officials were certain of that tape’s authenticity, Swedish scientists were equally convinced that it was a fake.

But the media and politicians alike generally seem little concerned with such matters. On many occasions no evidence at all is produced to support claims about a tape’s origins, while at other times only the thinnest of connections is offered. One time, for example, outside of his Tikrit accent, reporters offered only "his habit of sipping water as he talks" as proof that a speaker was Saddam. Reports on other tapes offered only unfulfilled promises that "technical experts would try to match the voice on the tape… with known recordings of Saddam", while others still merely conceded that "there was no way to independently authenticate the tape".

But such facts receive little prominence in the discourse of politicians and media pundits where these tapes are most damaging.

Never discussed as well is the fact that it is only since this new, unverified medium, that Al Qaeda has adopted new tactics never before associated with them. Never before the audiotaped message, for example, did Al Qaeda take responsibility for any terrorist attack. But since their introduction, the terrorist group has claimed credit for attacks including those against German tourists in Tunisia, Israeli tourists in Kenya, and the more recent 3/11 tragedies in Spain. And they even offered an taped admission of involvement in the 9/11 attacks despite all their previous pre-audiotape protestations to the contrary.

But the Kenya confession was doubly curious because it represented the first occasion that Al Qaeda is believed to have ever directly targeted Israeli interests.

No one has ever sought to explain either why Osama’s interest in international politics more closely mirrors US global interests than his own troubles in Afghanistan. In fact, since September 2002 after the collapse of the Taliban regime, and the installation of Karzai’s government, Bin Laden seemed little concerned with his own circumstances in that country and preferred instead to critique Bush’s position on Iraq.

Strange also is why Al Qaeda would use a taped message to antagonize France, Moscow and Germany, even though all three countries, at the time, were noted for their opposition to the extension of the war on terror to Bin Laden’s new pet project, Iraq.

Never considered, as well, is the convenience of the timing of the release of many of these tapes to the cause of international politics. And this quality of these broadcasts represents a most crucial aspect of our analysis.

On many occasions, in fact, hopes seemed to ride on the impact of the resuscitated spectre of Bin Laden on international negotiations.

One of several such cases involved one of the earlier audiotapes, released just two days prior to the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Its message actually preceded Bush's first UN appeals on Iraq by mere days, and further similar lobbying before congress in the weeks that would follow.

Another tape a year later came while Bush courted Asian countries hoping to win financial assistance for the reconstruction in Iraq. This tape also came before a donors’ conference scheduled for Madrid just the following week.

But not only the timing of these tapes but also their content should raise suspicions.

The push for war in Iraq, for instance, got a boost when a Bin Laden audiotape helped to cement dubious US claims of a link between himself and Saddam Hussein. This took place in February 2003, while the US lobbied heavily in preparation for a second resolution on Iraq, and just a month before hostilities in that country would begin.

But if Osama’s record for support of the Bush administration seems impressive, consider that the tapes from an underground Saddam showed little difference.

One obvious case of Saddam’s apparent complicity came at the time his two sons, Uday and Qusay, were killed. The entire Arab world remained skeptical about the reports of their deaths. But Washington’s rising frustration would soon be brought to an end with some assistance from Saddam himself.

Not recognizing the tremendous propaganda value of perpetuating the fiction of his sons’ survival, Saddam released a tape eulogizing the two men, hailing them as martyrs. This final confirmation brought all debates about their deaths to a most conclusive end, and finally allowed the US to enjoy this small victory in the battle for Iraq.

But even after the case about the suspect nature of these tapes has been made some may still wonder if it really matters whether they are real or not. It most certainly does. While the taped messages supposedly sent out by Hussein and Bin Laden were seldom at the forefront of the debate to go to war, they were instrumental in creating a climate of fear in which pro-war rhetoric flourished. And it is precisely for this reason that these tapes demand the same level of scrutiny as any other piece of evidence used to propel the world towards this conflict.

And it is only under those conditions that we can pretend to have a true understanding of whose message these tapes truly carry.

Jason Kernahan is a writer with special interest in International politics in the post 9/11 era. He can be reached at:  jasonkernahan@yahoo.com.

Jason Kernahan


Recording in caves

20.01.2006 09:31

It's staggering that people can't see outside the box here-

1. Anyone could make a tape. How many people have access to recording equipment these days? Millions. We should all make OBL tapes and flood The Sun and similar paranoid rags!

2. It was mentioned on the news that "the quality was bad because the caves are so far from the outside world". But somehow a courier was able to get the tape to Al Jazeera.. so you would have thought OBL would have asked the courier to stop by Dixons (or whatever they have) and pick up a spanking new mp3 recorder.

Recordist


SchNEWS REVIEW too

20.01.2006 11:58

Broadcast last Tuesday on Al-Jazeera, Osama Bin Laden's latest
release "On your knees infidel, before the wrath of the
mujahadeen" has been slammed by industry critics as
disappointingly 'samey' and having a 'derivative' feel. Although
eagerly awaited for over a year it has already been compared
unfavourably to earlier undeniable classics such as "Hostility
toward America is a religious duty" and seminal sleeper hit
"America, the power of Allah will turn your Empire to dust". One
jihadist pop picker told SchNews "It only seems like yesterday
that Osama's call for the faithful to rise up and obliterate the
Great Satan was just so fresh and 'edgy' but what started in a
blaze of originality in the early 90s has just spawned a host of
imitators and now it seems as if everyone with a camcorder and an
RPG launcher is in on the act. Perhaps like Bowie in the Tin
Machine years he's become stuck in an artistic rut or maybe it's
just that difficult third fatwa but I personally preferred his
earlier stuff while he was still political". Osama's agent said he
was 'disappointed' by the projects reception and was working at an
undisclosed location on a forthcoming greatest hits compilation
which he hopes will 'crack the all important American market'.

from SchNEWS 20th January 2006, Issue 528

getting in on the act


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