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Cia thinks tape binladen { April 11 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5636-2003Apr10.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5636-2003Apr10.html
Tape Calling for Jihad Is Attributed to Bin Laden
Associated Press
Friday, April 11, 2003; Page A24
The Central Intelligence Agency has determined that a new audiotape obtained earlier his week is likely an authentic recording of Osama bin Laden, a U.S. intelligence official said yesterday.
The audiotape exhorts Muslims to rise up against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain and Afghanistan, which it claims are "agents of America," and calls for suicide attacks against U.S. and British interests to "avenge the innocent children" of Iraq.
CIA analysts, after listening to the tape, were fairly certain the voice was bin Laden's, according to the intelligence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The agency analyzed an excerpt from the tape after the Associated Press and other news organizations sought to determine whether the speaker was bin Laden.
There was no clear indication when the recording was made. It refers to the outbreak of war in Iraq, so officials suspect it was a recent recording. However, the references are so general that it is conceivable it was recorded before the war, the official said.
The 27-minute tape quotes extensively from the Muslim holy book, the Koran, and says jihad, or holy war, is the "only solution to all the problems."
The tape was obtained Monday by the Associated Press from an Algerian national, known as Aadil, who said he had slipped across the border from Afghanistan, where the tape was apparently recorded.
The message focused exclusively on suicide attacks, unlike many of bin Laden's previous messages, which had many themes.
"Do not be afraid of their tanks and armored personnel carriers. These are artificial things," the speaker says on the tape. "If you started suicide attacks, you will see the fear of Americans all over the world. Those people who cannot join forces in jihad should give financial help to those mujaheddin who are fighting against U.S. aggression.
"The United States has attacked Iraq, and soon he will also attack Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sudan. The attacks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt will be against Islamic movements there," the speaker says.
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
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