There have been several videos released of
Osama bin Laden (often spelled "Usama", as it is in
"the tape"), mostly as prepared
propaganda tapes released by
Al-Qaida to Arabic media
organisations such as
Al-Jazeera.
There has been debate in some countries about the propaganda value of releasing various tapes
to the news media, due to concerns about incitement as well as the alleged possibility of hidden
messages to domestic terrorist cells.
Some countries broadcast the tapes in full, but others have not.
The United States government asked American new media not to air any of the tapes this it
believes would serve bin Laden's propaganda purposes.
The Pentagon, however, did release and urge the broadcast of one tape with its own translation
that supports their own claims concerning bin Laden's involvement in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist
attacks that left over 3,000 dead.
The news media within the US, although ostensibly independent, has nevertheless complied US government
desires in this matter.
The United States had drawn controversy by releasing the tapes; some claim that it is a doctored video
that serves the United States' end, though no one has offered any physical evidence that the tape
is not genuine.
I'm sure someone can fill in the other tapes.
Tapes released by the US Government 13th December 2001
The US State department released, in a move critisized by Arab groups, some "home" video tapes on
December 13th 2001.
The State department claims that the tapes are authentic and were found in Afghanistan.
They show Osama bin Laden and implicate him in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack.
In the tape Osama bin Laden displays in-depth knowledge of the attack, although only knowing
of the actual attack a few days in advance.
Some critics of the United States have alleged that this tape was released only because it is supportive
of their claims that bin Laden was involved in the attacks.
On the other hand, if this tape was actually found in Afghanistan, as the U.S. claims,
and bin Laden never intended it to be shown publicly, U.S. concerns about hidden messages
would not apply.
Many people, including the U.S. press, continue to be skeptical of the government's rationale
for not releasing other tapes, but few have questioned this tape's authenticity.
The events regarding the aquisition of the tape are not clear, but apparently it was obtained through
some means from a guest house in Quandahar?, and was supposedly filmed November 9th, or thereabout.
Following are some exerpts of the tape which was translated by a private group at the request of the
US Government.
Osama Bin Laden:
- We calculated in advance the number of casualties from the enemy, who would be killed based on the position of the tower.
- We calculated that the floors that would be hit would be three or four floors. I was the most optimistic of them all.
- ...Due to my experience in this field, I was thinking that the fire from the gas in the plane would melt the iron structure of the building and collapse the area where the plane hit and all the floors above it only. This is all that we had hoped for.
Unidentified Sheikh:
- Allah be praised.
Osama Bin Laden:
- ...We had notification since the previous Thursday that the event would take place that day. We had finished our work that day and had the radio on. It was 5:30 p.m. our time. ... Immediately, we heard the news that a plane had hit the World Trade Center ...
Sheikh:
- Allah be praised.
- The brothers, who conducted the operation, all they knew was that they have a martyrdom operation and we asked each of them to go to America but they didn't know anything about the operation
Osama Bin Laden:
- After a little while, they announced that another plane had hit the World Trade Center. The brothers who heard the news were overjoyed by it.
- ...Muhammad (Atta) from the Egyptian family (meaning the Al-Qaida Egyptian group) was in charge of the group.
Sheikh:
- A plane crashing into a tall building was out of anyone's imagination. This was a great job. He was one of the pious men in the organisation. He became a martyr. Allah bless his soul. (...)
Osama Bin Laden:
- The brothers, who conducted the operation, all they knew was that they have a martyrdom operation and we asked each of them to go to America but they didn't know anything about the operation, not even one letter.
- But they were trained and we did not reveal the operation to them until they are there and just before they boarded the planes.
NOTE: When watching the tape Osama bin Laden is reffered to as UBL; Usama bin Laden.
/Talk
External Links
- BBC Transcipts and new items [1]
- Official US Government Transcript of the tape [2]
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