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New Videotape From Bin Laden; Al Qaeda's No. 1 Still Alive
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ShareSeptember 07, 2007 9:23 AM
Intelligence sources tell ABC News they believe the video message from Osama bin Laden is authentic, recently produced and evidence the al Qaeda leader is still alive.
According to government sources, an initial analysis of the tape indicates "a lot of chest thumping" and of course historical references "alluding" to the successful attack on New York.
And a CIA spokesman told ABC News, "It's quite possible this is a new video."
U.S. authorities earlier this morning said the tape's transcript is aimed at potential suicide bombers who he urges to carry out missions against the West.
Good Morning America Video: Bin Laden Alive?
The jihadist Web site announced the tape with a banner, showing a still picture of bin Laden, now 50 years old, looking fit with a full beard of dark black hair, no gray at all.
"It does look oddly like he is wearing a false beard," Richard Clarke, a former White House counterterrorism official and now ABC News consultant, said. "If we go back to the tape three years, he had a very white beard. This looks like a phony beard that has been passed on."
The "phony beard" may be an important clue as to where bin Laden is hiding, according to Clarke.
"One place where a beard would stand out would be southeast Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia," Clarke told ABC News. "No one's thought he was there, but that is an environment where most men, Muslim men don't have beards."
U.S. officials say there is little doubt the al Qaeda leader timed his latest message to the 9/11 anniversary.
"He came up on this occasion to prove he's alive, to taunt us and to take advantage of the 9/11 remembrance ceremonies to get some propaganda," Clarke said.
The actual videotape – bin Laden's first in 35 months since October 2004 – is expected to be released in the next few days or hours.
Sources in the intelligence community, who are already busy analyzing the image of bin Laden for clues of his whereabouts, say the tape is likely to be a direct message to Americans.
The Department of Homeland Security released a bulletin this morning, saying it and the FBI have "no intelligence of any specific and imminent threat to the homeland at this time."
"We assess that past public statements by al-Qa'ida leaders have neither contained coded communications nor signals linked to specific terrorist attacks," the bulletin read. "The anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks serves as a focal point for propaganda, but al-Qa'ida previously has not timed its operations to specific dates."
The DHS also promised to "work closely with our state and local partners in our efforts to warn of potential threats. We also will continue to work with our Intelligence Community partners to identify possible threats to the Homeland."
ABC News sources say CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden met today with New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and was impressed by the "ground truth" the police department intelligence division puts together through dozens of informant reports reviewed each day.
This post has been updated.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
September 7, 2007 in Osama bin Laden | Permalink | User Comments (566)
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Bin Laden.... I always like his pics with his finger pointing upward, like he wants to give someone a prostate exam. Say, perhaps we could give him one with a MOAB.
Posted by: HarryHollis | Sep 7, 2007 9:41:23 AM
Perhaps he took off his chest hair wig and used it for his beard.
Posted by: HarryHollis | Sep 7, 2007 9:42:18 AM
I don't agree with those aliens on that picture of a cat, a dolphin, and a masked man named tommthen. Agreed, Bush owes me a telivison
Posted by: Organdoner543 | Sep 7, 2007 9:43:48 AM
How convenient a new video shows up now. This whole story is a lie and a bunch of contrived crap. Clarke is a puppet. Wake up people.
Posted by: brian | Sep 7, 2007 9:47:31 AM
Maybe Americans should force this President (Bush) to follow our Forefathers' wishes, namely that we extricate ourselves from our involvement and meddling in the Mideast and pursue an isolationist course.
Stand firm against bin Laden, but stand firm for AMERICA'S interests, not Israels. Wouldn't that be a refreshing change?
Posted by: Ron L | Sep 7, 2007 9:47:34 AM
Too bad Clinton didn't take him into custody when he had the chance.
Posted by: Abrac | Sep 7, 2007 9:52:20 AM
Bin Laden had a kidney problem back in 2002 when he made his very last truly authentic video tape. I doubt very much if he could have checked himself into a local hospital without being noticed, then immediately captured by US Forces. If Bin Laden really were alive today, he would be in about the worse possible shape a person could be in. My guess is that he either died of kidney failure or died in a bombing raid at Tora Bora. On the other hand if he is alive and well, and soon to be captured by US Forces, I welcome the surprise.
Posted by: Joseph Mattaino | Sep 7, 2007 9:58:12 AM
Anybody who believes this crap has no brain whatsoever....and belongs in the Bush hall of Failure.
Wake UP!!!!!
Posted by: Laugh My A** Off | Sep 7, 2007 9:59:38 AM
Our intelligence officials must think that we are stupid...same back ground...same clothes....photo montage by our own government...on top of that look at the beard...good picture cropping...still same damn beard...our government is trying to make us believe this BS
Posted by: Monika F. Smith | Sep 7, 2007 10:00:33 AM
Too bad Bush didn't have him killed when he had the chance.
Posted by: RB | Sep 7, 2007 10:01:24 AM
blah blah
Posted by: Monika F. Smith | Sep 7, 2007 10:01:59 AM
Way to go ABC! I am tired of U.S. media outlets willingly parroting enemy propaganda.
Posted by: Patrick O'Connell | Sep 7, 2007 10:02:12 AM
eh, this video looks like it will be another snore-fest. Personally, I think his early sh*t had a better beat...something you could dance to.
Seriously, can't someone just double-tap this nut in his turban?
Posted by: G8r | Sep 7, 2007 10:03:11 AM
People...that is NOT Bin Ladin. I have looked at this picture for about 15 minutes and I am telling you...it isn't him.
Why America is so quick to say that it is I find MORE interesting.
Posted by: Robert | Sep 7, 2007 10:03:58 AM
WOW....amazing, the last time we heard from him was in '04.....right before the elections..AND...once again...right before the elections!! Hmmm, coincidental??!!
Posted by: Melissa | Sep 7, 2007 10:04:15 AM
Poor Abrac, he is tormented by visions of the Clintons in his sleep. Waking up crying in his mom's basement.
Posted by: Gloob | Sep 7, 2007 10:04:51 AM
Who cares about the pathetic looser . . . OBL's in hiding . . . come on out and play with the big boys!
Posted by: StompOBLass | Sep 7, 2007 10:06:04 AM
So far HarryHollis' is the only intelligent user comment. The other stuff sounds canned.
Posted by: Gible | Sep 7, 2007 10:06:16 AM
That's not OBL...that's a photoshop of Frank Zappa's face superimposed on a bin laden suit!
Posted by: Consultofactus | Sep 7, 2007 10:07:16 AM
i agree with organ doner.. all this is BS. controversy lies. all made so that bush will have mo money... loose change 911 video watch it like its your torah!! holla
Posted by: none organ doner | Sep 7, 2007 10:07:20 AM
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