Robertson: Purported bin Laden tapes 'a two-pronged attack'
 |
CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson
Story Tools
VIDEO
|
Audiotaped messages purportedly from Osama bin Laden were aired on an Arabic TV network. CNN's Nic Robertson listened to them and relates what he heard. (October 18)
|
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
|
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.
Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.
|
|
LONDON, England (CNN) -- The Arabic-language TV news network Al-Jazeera is broadcasting what it says is a pair of new audiotapes from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
According to a CNN translation, the tapes -- one addressed to Iraqis and Arab Muslims throughout the world, the other to the American people -- discuss suicide attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and against the Iraqi Governing Council. CNN anchor Andrea Koppel spoke with CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson about the tapes.
ROBERTSON: The first analysis appears that it may be [bin Laden]. It certainly does sound like previous recordings that have been attributed to him. The person, if it is bin Laden, appears at times to falter, to slow down, his voice sounds weak. We noticed a similar type of pattern of speech in a tape he released about a month and a half ago.
There are two separate, distinct messages delivered here. One to the people of the United States, telling them their administration was lying, telling them their administration was going around the world trying to bring mercenaries into Iraq to support their position in Iraq. He went on to say the United States would be attacked at a time and place of al Qaeda's choosing, that suicide missions would take place inside and outside of the United States. And also that the United States' key allies in the coalition in Iraq -- Britain, Australia, Poland, Italy and Spain -- were 'prime' for attack.
The message to the Iraqi people was that the 'jihad' against the United States was the only effective way to fight what he described as a crusader force. He said they were effective and they were inflicting casualties upon the United States. He described the United States as being in a plight, or even a quagmire, in Iraq. He says the United States came to Iraq thinking it would be easy to control the oil assets, and that was not proving to be the case. The overriding message from Osama bin Laden, if it was him, is the United States and its allies will be attacked around the world and the people of Iraq should continue their attacks against the U.S.-led coalition inside Iraq.
KOPPEL: The last time Osama bin Laden is believed to have released a tape was just last month. What is the significance of a new audiotape?
ROBERTSON: When listening to this audiotape one of the key things to listen for is references that may date it. He seemed to make a reference to the last Palestinian prime minister, an indication that perhaps this was recorded maybe a month or so ago. In comparison to previous messages, much of the rhetoric remains the same: the coalition is a crusade, Iraqis should rise up and fight it. What became specific in this message that was different than others, was targeting Britain, Poland, Italy, Spain, Australia, the coalition allies inside Iraq at this time. But the very tone of it, the very nature, is very similar to the last message.
KOPPEL: If this tape is [authentic], why does [bin Laden] continue to release audiotapes?
ROBERTSON: This is perhaps the only effective way that he has at this time of trying to garner support for his cause, his aims, and his objectives, which is, in his view, to remove the influence of the United States from the Middle East in its broadest possible sense -- the presence of troops, the presence of future political influence as well. If Osama bin Laden is hiding out on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as is widely believed, he is most of the time incommunicado. These audiotape messages are perhaps his primary way at this time of reaching a wider possible audience -- all those he thinks might be keen to hear his message and join the fight that he wants to lead.
KOPPEL: A new audience in this tape that bin Laden appears to be reaching out to is the American public. Do you know why bin Laden would be trying to appeal to the American public?
ROBERTSON: Perhaps he realizes that there are keen political sensitivities at this time in the United States as to how the U.S.-led coalition is faring in Iraq. He referred specifically to this administration as lying. If he can undermine the political ground from President Bush and the administration, then he will further his cause, because perhaps that will weaken their resolve to remain in Iraq. It's a two-pronged attack, trying to encourage the people of the United States to get the United States administration to pull their troops out of Iraq, and at the same time, encourage Iraqis and others to join the fight against them on the ground there. So it would seem to be attacking what he sees as the problem from both angles.
