DUBAI: In a broadcast on the Arabic channel, Al-Jazeera, surprise surprise! al-Qaeda's No.2 man or perhaps the No.1; Ayman al-Zawahri, threatened of more possible attacks on London. He also warned Britons that Prime Minister Tony Blair was responsible for all their woes.
The statement will probably do little to encourage sympathy for the terrorists cause with the British public who would possibly respond more favorably to sensible dialogue instead of threats of terrorism.
It was for the first time that a direct al-Qaeda link to the London bombings emerged as al-Zawahri unleashed harsh words for Prime Minister Tony Blair, "To the British, I am telling you that Blair brought you destruction in the middle of London and more will come, God willing," he categorically stated. Even though the video was being analyzed, officials said that it appeared to be a recent one since open reference to the London bombings that took place in July was made. al-Qaeda have not claimed direct responsibility for the London atrocities.
Additionally, al-Zawahri who was attired in a white robe and a black turban appeared to have aged, providing further evidence that the tape could be genuine. The tape appeared to be shot outdoors and al-Zawahri had a Kalashnikov rifle behind his right shoulder. He also kept pointing his finger at the camera to stress his point. An operator at the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera said that they could not reveal how the tape came into their possession.
Osama bin Laden's deputy also warned the United States that the number of military deaths in Iraq would cross tens of thousands unless it announced an immediate and unilateral withdrawal of troops from that country. "What you have seen in New York, Washington and Afghanistan, are only the initial losses. If you (the United States) continue the same hostile policies you will see something that will make you forget the horrors you have seen in Vietnam. There is no way out for Washington except by immediate withdrawal," al-Zawahri said.
He added that President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who were the main perpetrators behind the Iraq invasion in 2003, had kept the truth from the American people.
He also issued a stern warning to the coalition forces in Iraq saying, "To the people of the crusader coalition ... our blessed Sheikh Osama has offered you a truce so that you leave Muslim land. As he said, you will not dream of security until we live it as a reality in Palestine, and until all your infidel armies leave Prophet Mohammad's lands." He concluded by flatly stating that the terror attacks would only increase, "Our message to you is clear, strong, and final: There will be no salvation until you withdraw from our land, stop stealing our oil and resources, and end support for infidel (Arab) rulers."
Ayman al-Zawahri is an Egyptian by birth and was a practicing doctor before he joined forces with al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. He has been in hiding since the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. It is speculated that bin Laden is also holed up with him somewhere in the mountains on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, but so far there has been no convincing proof. His last broadcast in June also aired on Al-Jazeera had stressed that armed jihad (holy war) was the only way to force Americans out of Iraq.
The broadcast of this tape comes exactly four weeks to the day London was bombed by suspected al-Qaeda militants. In London, security was increased and the city was on high alert as fears of a third wave of attacks increased. Around 6,000 officers have been deployed on the streets of London and many undercover officers are mingling with commuters on the Tube in order to spot would-be bombers, if any.
But where is bin Laden? Speculation is growing that the rich Saudi is dead.
This article withstanding, why do we media give this any air time at all and terrorists a voice? Your views please.
