'Bin Laden' offers Europe truce

[Roland]

'Bin Laden' offers Europe truce
Here.
Thursday, April 15, 2004 Posted: 3:37 AM EDT (0737 GMT)

The CIA said the speaker was "likely" the voice of bin Laden.

(CNN) -- Arabic language TV network Al-Arabiya has aired what it says is an audio tape from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, in which he threatens 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 was "likely" the voice of bin Laden, who describes the U.S. involvement in Iraq as the beginning of an occupation of Persian Gulf states for their oil. The tape also made other references to recent events.

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.

CNN Senior International Editor David Clinch and Caroline Faraj, Editor of CNN.com in Arabic, contributed to this report

Aha. Ceasefire or what?

[Oh Jerusalem]

I'm waiting for the treaty signing ceremony.

They were made for eachother.

[Ahava]

Unbelievable. Really.

[Ahava]

Originally posted by Oh Jerusalem
I'm waiting for the treaty signing ceremony.

They were made for eachother.

LOL, yet highly insulted.

[Ahava]

Europe turned down the offer!

[Mediocrates]

I heard that announcement. Did anyone else hear the beat track behind Osama? It sounded like the Neptunes or maybe N*E*R*D.

[minusthejihad]

Originally posted by Mediocrates
I heard that announcement. Did anyone else hear the beat track behind Osama? It sounded like the Neptunes or maybe N*E*R*D.

Your kids are lucky! A hip dad who looks like Ronald Rifkin! LOL!

[minusthejihad]

It seems that almost every concert I go to, I have a great time until the last song when every performer always says the obligatory "Lets get Bush out of power" or "Lets get out of Iraq", etc.

[minusthejihad]

Speaking of, I'm going to see the French band "Air" on Sunday night in Pontiac, MI. They are so far the only French people I somewhat like, and I hope they don't say anything shtupid. I don't think I'll be able to hold myself back from booing.

[minusthejihad]

Anyway, back to the thread topic, these Islamists sure know how to play the West against each other. Hopefully, most can see through the crocodile tears and forked tongues.

[Binyamin]

I am suprised that this is a big news item, and I completely can not understand why anyone is asking or discussing if Europe will accept his offer.

[Ahava]

Originally posted by minusthejihad
I don't think I'll be able to hold myself back from booing.

You don't need to. It's good to speak out (though I guess you disagree when it's an artist with the wrong opinion.)
Anyway, air, very cool!

[Mil]

And now to the "BBC Talking Points":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3628101.stm


Takeo, Olivier, Northlander, andak? Comments?

[Oh Jerusalem]

Originally posted by Mil
And now to the "BBC Talking Points":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3628101.stm

How appropriate that these were contiguous comments:

To all the people here who talk about signs of "weakness" and the like, take a step back from your offensive, take a nap, maybe some coffee and relax. Then start thinking. The Man says "Stop spilling our blood so we can Stop spilling Your Blood". I really don't know if a more simpler statement can be made. Seize the moment.
Mohammed I, Birmingham, UK

It is amazing how easily all the war fanatics on both sides of the Atlantic reject simple truths! How easily they forget that it is Americans, Israelis and some European governments, against the wish of their voters, that invaded Arab territory and not the other way round. Shame on our new Western "civilisation"!
Theo, Athens, Greece

[Ahava]

Originally posted by Mil
And now to the "BBC Talking Points":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3628101.stm


Takeo, Olivier, Northlander, andak? Comments?

Seems like Northlander already had his say...
"Sounds fair to me. Had the U.S. a foreign policy which allowed for views other than their own, they might not be such a hated nation."

PS. why does OBL look so friendly?

I'm scaring myself.