New 'Bin Laden tape' threatens EU

[R_H] · Post by **[R_H]** » 2008-03-20 08:12am

BBC wrote:In a new audio message purportedly from Osama Bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader threatens the EU over the re-printing of a cartoon offensive to Muslims.

The voice on it says the cartoon, re-published recently in all major Danish newspapers, was part of a crusade involving Pope Benedict XVI.

The drawing, first published in 2005, depicts the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban.

The voice on the audio has not yet been verified as belonging to Bin Laden.

The message comes on the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

But the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says that the message was probably released to not to mark that anniversary, but rather the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, which Sunni Muslims mark on Thursday.

It appeared on a Islamist website that has carried al-Qaeda messages in the past.

Over the audio is a graphic with a still image of Bin Laden holding an AK-47 and bearing the logo of al-Sahab, the media wing of al-Qaeda. There is a written translation of the message in English.

'Crowd pleaser'

John Pike, director of the defence think tank GlobalSecurity.org, said bin Laden had chosen to talk about the cartoon in an effort to remain relevant and provide direction to followers.

"His judgement is that it's a consistent crowd-pleaser, and that if he has any hope of getting people stirred up, this is probably a good way to try to do it."

Last month, Denmark's leading newspapers reprinted one of 12 cartoons that first angered many Muslims when they were originally published in September 2005.

Anger in the Muslim world peaked in 2006 as newspapers in other countries published the cartoons.

Some of the protests turned violent and led to the torching of Danish diplomatic offices in Damascus and Beirut and dozens of deaths in Nigeria, Libya and Pakistan.

The Danish newspapers decided to republish the most controversial drawing after Danish intelligence said it had uncovered a plot to kill the cartoonist.

The re-printed drawing shows the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban. Islamic law forbids any representation of the Prophet.

The message attributed to bin Laden says the attacks of Europeans on women and children "paled [in comparison] when you went overboard in your unbelief and... went to the extent of publishing these insulting drawings.

"This is the greatest misfortune and the most dangerous," the voice says.

"If there is no check on the freedom of your words, then let your hearts be open to the freedom of our actions".

It is not clear when the message was recorded. The last audio message attributed to Bin Laden appeared in November but he has not been seen on video since October 2004.

He is believed to be in hiding on the rugged border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

hongi · Post by **hongi** » 2008-03-20 08:42am

Why isn't this guy dead yet?

Darth Yoshi · Post by **Darth Yoshi** » 2008-03-20 09:04am

Ah, fundamental Islam. Because the "honor" of a long dead shroom junkie is more important than the lives of people who have nothing to do with anything.

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2008-03-20 09:18am

Fundies say the darnest things

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2008-03-20 09:54am

Of course, a hearty "Fuck you" or just ignoring it are the only acceptable responses...hopefully we'll see something like that.

"Freedom of our actions", my eye. Anyone who thinks they're justified in killing over a fucking cartoon is so far off the deep end they can't truly be classed as a functional human being anymore.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2008-03-20 10:03am

hongi wrote:Why isn't this guy dead yet?

Because bringing democracy to Iraq is far far more important than bringing justice to a murderer of 3000 American civilians.

SAMAS · Post by **SAMAS** » 2008-03-20 10:26am

I was thinking more along the lines of: He's a scarier (and thus more useful) threat free.

The Spartan · Post by **The Spartan** » 2008-03-20 10:30am

Stravo wrote:
hongi wrote:Why isn't this guy dead yet?
Because bringing democracy to Iraq is far far more important than bringing justice to a murderer of 3000 American civilians.

Stravo, didn't you hear. Iraq is tied to 9/11. The Vice President said so just last week.

Again.

After all but being called a liar by the Pentagon for all the other times he's lied to our face.

TithonusSyndrome · Post by **TithonusSyndrome** » 2008-03-20 10:57am

Molyneux wrote:Of course, a hearty "Fuck you" or just ignoring it are the only acceptable responses...hopefully we'll see something like that.

"Freedom of our actions", my eye. Anyone who thinks they're justified in killing over a fucking cartoon is so far off the deep end they can't truly be classed as a functional human being anymore.

To say nothing of the mental faculties of any person who thinks that the EU is an indivisible monolith led by Pope Benny.

Kane Starkiller · Post by **Kane Starkiller** » 2008-03-20 11:10am

Stravo wrote:Because bringing democracy to Iraq is far far more important than bringing justice to a murderer of 3000 American civilians.

Well it certainly is. You Americans are just doing a piss poor job of it.

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2008-03-20 11:46am

hongi wrote:Why isn't this guy dead yet?

It's unknown whether this really is Bin-Laden on the tape. Apparently they're still analyzing the audio.

Over the audio is a graphic with a still image of Bin Laden holding an AK-47 and bearing the logo of al-Sahab, the media wing of al-Qaeda. There is a written translation of the message in English.

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2008-03-20 12:12pm

Guys, it's okay.

Bush is no longer concerned about OBL. He said as much. So... that's just all in line with the grand strategy:
1) piss off any neutral and more or less stable ME states by simply invading a nation in the Middle East
2) give OBL lots of new recruits and a huge master cause
3) forget about OBL
4) watch as OBL plans terrorist acts in Europe - in fact, that's not the US so the US obviously doesn't care. After all Bush touted that no major teracts happened after 9/11, ignoring Madrid and London totally.

So you see, it's all a part of the master plan. The dumbfuck plan.

Oh, and don't forget sponsoring the Saudi buddies - known for propping and sponsoring notorious terrorists, unlike (gasp!) Saddam.

[R_H] · Post by **[R_H]** » 2008-03-20 03:05pm

Bin Laden tape voice 'authentic'

BBC wrote:US intelligence agents believes the voice on a tape purportedly from Osama Bin Laden was authentic, the CIA and White House have said.

The message, in audio only, appeared on Wednesday on an Islamist website.

It threatened the EU over the re-printing of a cartoon satirising the Prophet Muhammad.

"It can be said with a high degree of confidence that it is in fact the voice of Osama Bin Laden," a CIA official told Reuters news agency.

The voice on the recording says the cartoon, re-published recently in all major Danish newspapers, was part of a "new crusade" in which Pope Benedict XVI had played a "large and lengthy role".

The Vatican dismissed the claims on Thursday as "absolutely baseless".

A spokesman also pointed out that the Pope and his advisers had "denounced the satirical campaign against Islam on more than one occasion".

The drawing, first published in 2005, depicts the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban.

The unnamed CIA official said the message was "well worn" and part of al-Qaeda's "ongoing propaganda campaign".

The White House said the tape appeared to show Bin Laden was trying "to establish himself as relevant and posture himself as the defender of Muslims".

The message came on the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

But the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says that the message was probably not released to mark that anniversary, but rather the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, which Sunni Muslims mark on Thursday.

The Islamist website it appeared on has carried al-Qaeda messages in the past.

Over the audio is a graphic with a still image of Bin Laden holding an AK-47 and bearing the logo of al-Sahab, the media wing of al-Qaeda. There is a written translation of the message in English.

'Insulting drawings'

Last month, Denmark's leading newspapers reprinted one of 12 cartoons that first angered many Muslims when they were originally published in September 2005.

Anger in the Muslim world peaked in 2006 as newspapers in other countries published the cartoons.

Some of the protests turned violent and led to the torching of Danish diplomatic offices in Damascus and Beirut and dozens of deaths in Nigeria, Libya and Pakistan.

The Danish newspapers decided to republish the most controversial drawing after Danish intelligence said it had uncovered a plot to kill the cartoonist.

The message attributed to Bin Laden says attacks by Europeans on women and children "paled [in comparison] when you went overboard in your unbelief and... went to the extent of publishing these insulting drawings.

"This is the greatest misfortune and the most dangerous," the voice says.

"If there is no check on the freedom of your words, then let your hearts be open to the freedom of our actions".

It is not clear when the message was recorded. The last audio message attributed to Bin Laden appeared in November but he has not been seen on video since October 2004.

He is believed to be in hiding in the rugged border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

salm · Post by **salm** » 2008-03-20 03:38pm

I really hope i´m not on vacation when he attacks. I´d hate to miss the action.

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2008-03-20 07:06pm

Stas Bush wrote:Guys, it's okay.

Bush is no longer concerned about OBL. He said as much. So... that's just all in line with the grand strategy:
1) piss off any neutral and more or less stable ME states by simply invading a nation in the Middle East
2) give OBL lots of new recruits and a huge master cause
3) forget about OBL
4) watch as OBL plans terrorist acts in Europe - in fact, that's not the US so the US obviously doesn't care. After all Bush touted that no major teracts happened after 9/11, ignoring Madrid and London totally.

So you see, it's all a part of the master plan. The dumbfuck plan.

Oh, and don't forget sponsoring the Saudi buddies - known for propping and sponsoring notorious terrorists, unlike (gasp!) Saddam.

Well, many of those European nations didn't support the war on terror, so obviously they're traitors to the cause (tm) and deserve what they get.

CaptHawkeye · Post by **CaptHawkeye** » 2008-03-20 07:15pm

Darth Servo wrote:
Stas Bush wrote:Guys, it's okay.

Bush is no longer concerned about OBL. He said as much. So... that's just all in line with the grand strategy:
1) piss off any neutral and more or less stable ME states by simply invading a nation in the Middle East
2) give OBL lots of new recruits and a huge master cause
3) forget about OBL
4) watch as OBL plans terrorist acts in Europe - in fact, that's not the US so the US obviously doesn't care. After all Bush touted that no major teracts happened after 9/11, ignoring Madrid and London totally.

So you see, it's all a part of the master plan. The dumbfuck plan.

Oh, and don't forget sponsoring the Saudi buddies - known for propping and sponsoring notorious terrorists, unlike (gasp!) Saddam.
Well, many of those European nations didn't support the war on terror, so obviously they're traitors to the cause (tm) and deserve what they get.

Ah yes, the ultimate result of President Chimpanzee's "with us or against us" logic. How quaint. How clever. How nauseating.

This all seems like a bad dream sometimes. Then I realize that regardless of whether or not it is, I haven't been able to wake up from it for the past 8 years.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2008-03-20 07:23pm

Because bringing democracy to Iraq is far far more important than bringing justice to a murderer of 3000 American civilians.

Please, stop speaking anymore before you make yourself look like an even bigger idiot.

It took us nearly a year between the invasion of Iraq and when we captured Saddam, and that was in a very conductive environment (e.g. flat, and a somewhat sympathetic population).

Meanwhile, Osama is hiding out in a very mountainous region of Pakistan/Afghanistan; where the people are either hard core jihadis, or very sympathetic to him; which means that bribing someone to reveal his location won't work.

At this point, Osama has been isolated to the point where he can't go on television every day; but is forced to smuggle out audiotapes of himself via a large chain of cut-outs from those regions. And we're slowly closing in on the guy himself.

Analysis by Wretchard on the capture of Muhummad Rahim, one of OBL's confidants and his translator

The Spartan · Post by **The Spartan** » 2008-03-20 07:28pm

Shep, the point Stravo was making was not that it's a comparable task to capture Bin Laden compared to Hussein, but that we should never have gone into Iraq in the first place. That we should have kept our focus upon Afghanistan. More importantly, the resources that were pulled out of Afghanistan to go start the hunt for Hussein as well as carry out scouting and spotting missions within Iraq.

Which is why the administration has had to lie (what is it now, 940 times?) to sell it's war and attempt to distract people.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2008-03-20 07:33pm

The Spartan wrote:More importantly, the resources that were pulled out of Afghanistan to go start the hunt for Hussein as well as carry out scouting and spotting missions within Iraq.

Yeah, I'm sure if we put 108,000 men into Afghanistan, like the LCOSF did, we'd control Afghanistan completely.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2008-03-20 07:43pm

Not to mention that our entire force structure in Iraq just wouldn't work in Afgahnistan.

Like for example the Army in 2004-2005 had 1,484 UH-60s in it's entire inventory; which work great in Iraq; it's a nice flat sandy place; but only 440~ CH-47s, which are essential for work in Afghanistan; because it's so hot and high; that only CH-47s have the lift and power to work there.

Siege · Post by **Siege** » 2008-03-20 08:51pm

I wonder if Osama's sudden dislike of the Pope might have anything to do with Benedict's dialogue with [url=httphttp://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0706812.htm]a bunch of islamic scholars[/url].

Like, yeah, that totally sounds like someone who's crusading against islam with the American zionist etc. etc. invaders... I wonder: does anybody actually still pay attention to whatever Bin Laden has to say?

Illuminatus Primus · Post by **Illuminatus Primus** » 2008-03-20 09:06pm

MKSheppard wrote:
Because bringing democracy to Iraq is far far more important than bringing justice to a murderer of 3000 American civilians.
Please, stop speaking anymore before you make yourself look like an even bigger idiot.

It took us nearly a year between the invasion of Iraq and when we captured Saddam, and that was in a very conductive environment (e.g. flat, and a somewhat sympathetic population).

Meanwhile, Osama is hiding out in a very mountainous region of Pakistan/Afghanistan; where the people are either hard core jihadis, or very sympathetic to him; which means that bribing someone to reveal his location won't work.

At this point, Osama has been isolated to the point where he can't go on television every day; but is forced to smuggle out audiotapes of himself via a large chain of cut-outs from those regions. And we're slowly closing in on the guy himself.

Analysis by Wretchard on the capture of Muhummad Rahim, one of OBL's confidants and his translator

Come OFF it, Shep. The NIE has said AQ in Pakistan and NWFP is at pre-9/11 strength, and there's been many acknowledgments that if we weren't strained in Iraq, we wouldn't have been pushing off Afghanistan on Canada and allies. At the very least, it is occupying political will and funding which could be better allocated in a long-term effort in Afghanistan.

Sidewinder · Post by **Sidewinder** » 2008-03-20 09:19pm

SAMAS wrote:I was thinking more along the lines of: He's a scarier (and thus more useful) threat free.

I doubt the George W. Bush Administration is competent enough to use bin Laden like that. Then you have to add all the governments that want him dead because bin Laden's advocating their overthrow, e.g., Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's (talk about biting the hand that feeds you).

EmperorChrostas the Cruel · Post by **EmperorChrostas the Cruel** » 2008-03-20 10:08pm

You all watch to much fucking TV.

One lone man in a HUGE moutainous area, surrounded by fanaticly loyal followers, willing to die in the cause. (Read that as un bribable, un threatenable, un blackmailable.) On the move a lot. In bunch of areas that have been tunneled for years.
Why haven't we got him yet?
The stupid burns. Because he is smart, and gotten lucky twice dipsticks!

Why don't we just send Jack Ryan or Jack Bauer? Maybe Jason Bourne would do it. Within 90 minutes, or one season max.

No! We must not WANT him dead! How can Bush be such an uber mastermind and an incompetant dolt at the same time? Get your stories straight here.

The Spartan · Post by **The Spartan** » 2008-03-20 11:04pm

MKSheppard wrote:
The Spartan wrote:More importantly, the resources that were pulled out of Afghanistan to go start the hunt for Hussein as well as carry out scouting and spotting missions within Iraq.
Yeah, I'm sure if we put 108,000 men into Afghanistan, like the LCOSF did, we'd control Afghanistan completely.

Thank you for missing the point. I never said that we should put every man in Iraq into Afghanistan not did I say doing so would allow us to control the county completely. But the fact remains, the Iraq war is nothing but a wasteful distraction, excused with lies tying Hussein to 9/11, so that Captain Chucklefuck could show his daddy up.