bin Laden offers Europe truce (BBC News)

Radagast · 04-15-2004, 05:39 AM

'Bin Laden' offers Europe truce

Two Arab TV channels have broadcast an audiotape said to be from Osama Bin Laden in which he offers Europe a truce if it "stops attacking Muslims".

But in the tape, aired by al-Arabiya and al-Jazeera satellite channels, the voice said the truce would not be extended to the US, Reuters reported.

The person on the tape also vowed to avenge Israel's killing of Palestinian cleric Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

The authenticity of the tape could not be immediately verified.

The voice on the tape said that "the door is open" for about three months to forge a truce, although this could be extended.

The truce itself would then begin when "the last soldier" leaves "our countries", it added.

The tape also refers to the 11 March bombings in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and the events of 11 September 2001.

It said the attacks were payment for US and Spanish actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.

"What happened on 11 September and 11 March are your goods returned to you, so that you know security is a necessity for all," the voice said.

"Stop spilling our blood so we can stop spilling your blood."

Spain has been a prominent member of the US-led coalition in Iraq, although its new prime minister has said Spanish troops could be withdrawn if the situation in Iraq does not improve.

BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the timing of the tape's release - if it is Osama Bin Laden - is significant, emerging shortly after US President George W Bush gave a major news conference defending US policies on Iraq

The tape could be a propaganda attempt to counter what the US president said, our correspondent adds.

The tape also reportedly criticised US policy for ignoring the "real problem" which is "the occupation of all of Palestine", the Associated Press reported.

It said the death of Sheikh Yassin, spiritual leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, would be avenged.

"We vow before God to take revenge for him from America for this, God willing," it said.

Sheikh Yassin was killed in an Israeli missile attack in March in the Gaza Strip.

The tape also condemned the US-led occupation of Iraq as a money-making scheme for companies making weapons or aiding reconstruction efforts - specifically naming the American firm Halliburton, AP said.

Several tapes purporting to be by Osama Bin Laden have surfaced since the 11 September attacks - which the US has blamed on his al-Qaeda network.

The most recent, broadcast in January by al-Jazeera, condemned the occupation of Iraq and attacked Arab nations which supported the war.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) later said that analysis indicated the voice on the January tape was that of Osama Bin Laden.

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How outrageous! How could we in Europe possibly agree to a truce with the greatest blackguard in recent times? The man who orchestrated the most appalling act of terrorism the world has ever seen? How could we in Britain desert our U.S. allies by agreeing to this? It was a cowardly and indefensible move for Spain to remove her troops from Iraq, and we shall not be doing the same. 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going' seems to be Spain's attitude.

04-15-2004, 05:39 AM	#1
Radagast Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Merry old England Posts: 413	bin Laden offers Europe truce (BBC News) 'Bin Laden' offers Europe truce Two Arab TV channels have broadcast an audiotape said to be from Osama Bin Laden in which he offers Europe a truce if it "stops attacking Muslims". But in the tape, aired by al-Arabiya and al-Jazeera satellite channels, the voice said the truce would not be extended to the US, Reuters reported. The person on the tape also vowed to avenge Israel's killing of Palestinian cleric Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The authenticity of the tape could not be immediately verified. The voice on the tape said that "the door is open" for about three months to forge a truce, although this could be extended. The truce itself would then begin when "the last soldier" leaves "our countries", it added. The tape also refers to the 11 March bombings in the Spanish capital, Madrid, and the events of 11 September 2001. It said the attacks were payment for US and Spanish actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. "What happened on 11 September and 11 March are your goods returned to you, so that you know security is a necessity for all," the voice said. "Stop spilling our blood so we can stop spilling your blood." Spain has been a prominent member of the US-led coalition in Iraq, although its new prime minister has said Spanish troops could be withdrawn if the situation in Iraq does not improve. BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the timing of the tape's release - if it is Osama Bin Laden - is significant, emerging shortly after US President George W Bush gave a major news conference defending US policies on Iraq The tape could be a propaganda attempt to counter what the US president said, our correspondent adds. The tape also reportedly criticised US policy for ignoring the "real problem" which is "the occupation of all of Palestine", the Associated Press reported. It said the death of Sheikh Yassin, spiritual leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, would be avenged. "We vow before God to take revenge for him from America for this, God willing," it said. Sheikh Yassin was killed in an Israeli missile attack in March in the Gaza Strip. The tape also condemned the US-led occupation of Iraq as a money-making scheme for companies making weapons or aiding reconstruction efforts - specifically naming the American firm Halliburton, AP said. Several tapes purporting to be by Osama Bin Laden have surfaced since the 11 September attacks - which the US has blamed on his al-Qaeda network. The most recent, broadcast in January by al-Jazeera, condemned the occupation of Iraq and attacked Arab nations which supported the war. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) later said that analysis indicated the voice on the January tape was that of Osama Bin Laden. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How outrageous! How could we in Europe possibly agree to a truce with the greatest blackguard in recent times? The man who orchestrated the most appalling act of terrorism the world has ever seen? How could we in Britain desert our U.S. allies by agreeing to this? It was a cowardly and indefensible move for Spain to remove her troops from Iraq, and we shall not be doing the same. 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going' seems to be Spain's attitude. __________________ Take up the White Man's burden-- The savage wars of peace-- Fill full the mouth of Famine, And bid the sickness cease; And when your goal is nearest (The end for others sought) Watch sloth and heathen folly Bring all your hope to nought.