New OBL Tape: Iraq, Democratic Control

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New OBL Tape: Iraq, Democratic Control

September 07, 2007 2:15 PM

ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Pierre Thomas, Luis Martinez and Theresa Cook Report: ABC News has obtained a transcript of the latest taped message from the United States' most wanted terrorist, and a senior U.S. intelligence official has confirmed to ABC News that "initial technical analysis suggests the voice on the tape is indeed Osama Bin Laden."

According to the transcript, which can be viewed by clicking here, bin Laden opens with "praise to Allah" and his "law of retaliation" -- "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and the killer is killed."

Bin Laden also spoke to the ongoing situation in Iraq throughout the tape, heavily criticizing the Bush administration.

'One of Your Greatest Mistakes'

He says to the American people, "you made one of your greatest mistakes, in that you neither brought to account nor punished those who waged this war, not even the most violent of its murderers, [former Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld…”

"You permitted Bush to complete his first term, and stranger still, chose him for a second term, which gave him a clear mandate from you -- with your full knowledge and consent -- to continue to murder our people in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then you claim to be innocent! The innocence of yours is like my innocence of the blood of your sons on the 11th -- were I to claim such a thing."

Bin Laden says President Bush's words echo "neoconservatives like Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Richard Perle."

'Democrats Haven't Made a Move'

"People of America: the world is following your news in regards to your invasion of Iraq, for people have recently come to know that, after several years of tragedies of this war, the vast majority of you want it stopped. Thus, you elected the Democratic Party for this purpose, but the Democrats haven't made a move worth mentioning. On the contrary, they continue to agree to the spending of tens of billions to continue the killing and war there."

ABC News Report

The transcript indicates that bin Laden refers to statements from U.S. soldiers in Iraq, from an interview taped by a British journalist. Portions of the interview aired in an exclusive report on ABC News in July, which can be viewed by clicking here.

In the July 16 report, two soldiers with the 2nd Infantry division, Corporal Joshua Lake and Specialist Michael Vassell, spoke candidly about their experiences in Iraq.

"We got grenades going off. We've got an IED blowing up your vehicle. And then you're expected to go back in those four to six, four to five hours and get, and relax to come back out and do another six hours," Lake said. "You don't have time, you just don't have time to do it."

"Because we have people up there in Congress with the brain of a 2-year-old who don't know what they're doing. They don't experience it," Vassell said. "I, I challenge the President or whoever has us here for 15 months to ride along, alongside me. I'll do another 15 months if he comes out here and rides along with me every day for 15 months. I'll do 15 more months. No, I - they don't even have to pay me extra."

'Listen to the Poignant Messages of Your Soldiers'

"It would benefit you to listen to the poignant messages of your soldiers in Iraq, who are paying -- with their blood, nerves and scattered limbs -- the price for these sorts of irresponsible statements,” bin Laden says in reference to the interviews in the ABC News report.

"Among them is the eloquent message of Joshua which he sent by way of the media, in which he wipes the tears from his eyes and describes American politicians in harsh terms and invites them to join him there for a few days," the statement continues.

Ways to Win the War

According to the transcript, bin Laden says there are two ways to end the war:

"The first is from our side, and it is to continue to escalate the killing and fighting against you."

The second is to do away with the American democratic system of government. "It has now become clear to you and the entire world the impotence of the democratic system and how it plays with the interests of the peoples and their blood by sacrificing soldiers and populations to achieve the interests of the major corporations."

Chertoff Responds

Calling the tape "propaganda," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told ABC News Thursday afternoon, “Assuming it is an authentic, genuine tape and it's not just a compilation, his being alive would I don't think be a surprise to anybody. I think we would have had some indication if he were not alive.”

"Having a tape issued in connection with the anniversary of 9/11 is also not a big surprise," Chertoff continued. “In the past, Al Qaida has issued tapes in connection with September 11th. It is a big day for them in terms of their view of having had a victory against the United States.”

"So while we're analyzing the details of the tape, I don't think the existence of a tape as such is necessarily significant of an imminent attack or anything of that sort," Chertoff said.

Acknowledging that, "in one sense, they're [al Qaeda] always up to something," Chertoff said that the government does not have any credible evidence that an attack is looming.

Ramblings and Time References

The rambling transcript also mentions French President Nicolas Sarkozy, which suggests the tape was made after Sarkozy's election in May.

While the exact date of the taping cannot be determined by bin Laden's words, he suggests it was made in August by saying, "... just a few days ago, the Japanese observed the 62nd anniversary of the annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by your nuclear weapons." The anniversary was on Aug. 6.

He goes on to call Noam Chomsky "among one of the most capable of those from your own side," and mentions global warming and "the Kyoto accord."

He also speaks to recent issues grabbing headlines in the United States, referring to "the reeling of many of you under the burden of interest-related debts, insane taxes and real estate mortgages; global warming and its woes..."

"To conclude," bin Laden says, "I invite you to embrace Islam." He goes on to say: "There are no taxes in Islam, but rather there is a limited Zakaat [alms] totaling 2.5 percent."

September 7, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (1494)

User Comments

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Yet again, Osama shows up when things aren't going well for Bush. And yet again the traditional media plays along.

Posted by: Beecham | Sep 7, 2007 3:17:34 PM

At least we know, once again, which party Al Qaida endorses.

Just keep repeating, Dems:

The real war is not in Iraq,
The real war is not in Iraq,
The real war is not in Iraq....

Posted by: SWLiP | Sep 7, 2007 3:18:10 PM

I hate to admit it but that fool is right you know? None of us looked at how we helped in making these terrorists. 9/11 was a horrible and OBL should pay for it with his lives...but who will pay for the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and afghans we killed? Rumsfield quit the white house, but actually he is retired with his cut of the profits. so did the others. what have we done?

Bush, chenny, rumsfeld, Rice etc needs to be on trial. Justice need to be served!

God Bless America!

Posted by: KILROY WAS HERE | Sep 7, 2007 3:21:57 PM

Yea, Yea, Yea let him toot his horn and shout his message, but in the end we know who will win the battle. Only the peaceful, Freedom embrasing,and truthful nations of the World who believe in Freedom without Dictatorship will survive but all others will try to brain wash the less fortunite people into believing their way is the only way to live under opression. The sooner we get Bin Laden and his mind twisted followers under lock and key the World will become a better place to enjoy for all.His poisen has extended onto every contenent but it takes time to purge the World of such vermon but it will come if we stand United. I hope all Americans around the World will fly their Flag proudly on 9/11 and be United against opession and terrorism as we did so proudly after 9/11

Posted by: Mike S. USAF Ret | Sep 7, 2007 3:22:50 PM

i am not surprised that the real issue is being sidestepped here, and once again, americans are being dumb! hello....democracy does not mean democrats! take your political science seriously for once!

Posted by: the educated girl | Sep 7, 2007 3:24:15 PM

No seriously...the Feds can zero in on a sexual predator over the Internet but cannot find one shoeless man in a desert who still manages to put out more videos than Beyonce!!!
This is absolutely insane! To think these Neoconvicts actually believe the American people are stupid enough to fall for the Bin Laden tapes and the color-coded terror alerts is totally offensive!!!
I am an American and I am not afraid!!!

Posted by: Justine | Sep 7, 2007 3:24:45 PM

Incompetant GWB has had 6 years to fix this. Remember "dead or alive?" Well, georgie, he's still alive & making trouble.

Posted by: MJ | Sep 7, 2007 3:24:59 PM

Are some of you so dense that you can't see whats right before your eyes? That picture is clearly NOT Bin Laden.

Posted by: Ura | Sep 7, 2007 3:25:35 PM

I can't believe how transparent this is! Bin Laden is smart enough to know that people stupid enough to support Bush, and cowardly Democrats would immediately take the opposite position from his. BIN LADEN DOES NOT WANT BUSH'S FOLLY TO END. IT FUELS RECRUITMENT FOR HIM AND HATRED FOR THE UNITED STATES,WITHOUT THE WAR, HE WOULD LOSE HIS BEST TOOL! Can we please WAKE UP?

Posted by: Jackie Giles | Sep 7, 2007 3:26:18 PM

As the elections draw near, and scandals continue to ravage the GOP, it is no wonder the boogey man is back in the form of bin Laden. He makes such timely appearances in order to frighten the sheep. People need to wake up to the daily manipulation and propaganda that is spewed forth by our "leaders" on a daily basis. The death tolls in Iraq are being skewed! Sunni on Sunni and Shiite on Shiite crimes are not even counted! Victims shot in the back of the head are victims of terror groups, if shot in the back of the head their deaths are also not counted in the "official toll". There is no reason to pay any attention to the Petraeus report, as all of the numbers have been skewed in our "favor", enabling our troops to remain and more innocent Americans to be killed. And all in the words of W "to maintain a sustained presence in the Middle East."

Posted by: BU36 | Sep 7, 2007 3:28:08 PM

BU36,
"recognized international organizations"

We've seen how accurate, and unbiased, their counts are. Think "Jenin."

Posted by: exhelodrvr | Sep 7, 2007 3:39:00 PM

The thing to keep in mind is that regardless of who made the tape, it is propaganda.

PROPAGANDA.

Propaganda always has a purpose and the purpose here is pretty well evident. The maker of the tape wants a strong reaction by conservatives against the Democrats. The maker provokes this reaction by mouthing issues of no concern to Al Qaeda (the Kyoto treaty?), but which are supported by the democratic candidates. At the same time, this rhetoric is designed to disaffect liberals from the Democratic party by portraying it as weak and ineffective. This portrayal is mirrored for Americans in general, by decrying the inability to oust Bush in 04 (recall that shortly prior to the election, a similar tape was released).

The net effect of this rhetoric is to strengthen Republicans and weaken Democrats.

Why would the maker of the tape want to do so?

Any thoughts?

Posted by: d. | Sep 7, 2007 3:40:27 PM

we know the government is behind the 9/11 so please stop trying to keep us in the dark!

Posted by: miss jones | Sep 7, 2007 3:41:07 PM

Jim, my numbers don't come from the DNC, in fact I don't take my marching orders from any particular committee or organization. Unlike you, I am an independent thinker. The facts are out there, but you have to do some actual research. The fact is, the government is not providing the public with accurate death tolls, and we are still being mislead about the supposed "progress in Iraq".

Posted by: BU36 | Sep 7, 2007 3:43:51 PM

Osama is still free.

Are you?

Posted by: elmerg | Sep 7, 2007 3:45:38 PM

While reading your comments i got the impression that finally americans seem to grow up and cease to believe in fairy-tales of national pride, exept of some unbelievable-stupid adolescent-forever boys, who refuse to look at reality. That is: America is at a point of development, we in Europe have passed 70 years ago. Wake up and learn from history and recognize, that democracy in America at this moment is not worth to mention. Where is your opposition?

Posted by: Paul | Sep 7, 2007 3:46:06 PM

Yawn! This is perhaps the biggest representation of the collosal failure we call the "Bush Administration". The fact that YoMama is still out there making these broadcasts, while Bush is wasting our resources in Iraq is a point that makes itself.

Posted by: Osama Yomoma | Sep 7, 2007 3:46:10 PM

Sounds like Osama is auditioning for a spot on Air America.

Posted by: Mike | Sep 7, 2007 3:48:31 PM

USA government want people to still think that bin liner is alive so that the people of USA would still get scared and keep voting america to fight in iraq and other muslim countries

Posted by: diana | Sep 7, 2007 3:50:31 PM

Mike- Osama has a lot more in common with Rush Limbaugh than anyone on the left.

Posted by: elmerg | Sep 7, 2007 3:50:35 PM

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