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October 19, 2003
The Bin Laden Tape
I spent part of Saturday evening listening to the new Bin Laden tape. Quite clear, sounded like his voice, I rather suspect it will be confirmed as the real deal by the experts.
Very clearly recently done, I should think this will put an end to the wishful thinking that Bin Laden is dead. It covered the expected points, Iraq, Afghanistan, and threats of ‘martyrdom’ operations against American interests in and outside the US. Of note a section directly addressing the American people and then Bush directly – the section addressing the American people was a bit odd, saying that the people have been ‘deceived’ by the Jews and thus I suppose implying Americans in general are not fully responsible, an almost moderate statement by Bin Laden. Oddly placed, no doubt posturing. For Bush, threats along the lines that the price to be paid will be heavy. He got quite emotional, voice-wise, at the end. Sounded tired, perhaps a bit weak, but he’s always been soft voiced.
Most importantly, the ‘audio letter’ indicated that al-Qaeda will focus on Iraq, and it included numerous appeals to the Iraqis to fight the Americans and named specific parties as ‘infidels’ – such as the Kurdish ‘secular’ parties and the Baath party (drawing a parallel with Karzai et al). Well, the line in the sand has been drawn. He also noted a number of countries in terms of I suppose probable targets: GB, Spain and Yemen, although chillingly Kuwait, the Gulf States, and Jordan were mentioned. Call to action, or arms.
If there was any doubt, Iraq is going to be a center of efforts to get at Americans, but very clearly not the sole focus.
This tape highlights for me the general absence of US officials not only present on the Arab TV Sat news channels, but worse, US officials prepared to address Arab audiences. Talking at the Arab world as opposed to crafting one's message to hit the right emotional and political buttons (even while staying true to one's core message/policies) strikes me as something the US has completely failed at to date (although I have noted the British spokesman for the CPA-Iraq is very, very good at this, so it is hardly impossible - excellent if Egyptian tinged Arabic).
Posted by The Lounsbury at October 19, 2003 11:15 AM
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Jan-Dec 2003
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