Video Threats Against L.A. Surface

Purported Al Qaeda Tape Dismissed By Police As 'Rhetoric'

(CBS/AP)  Los Angeles's police chief dismissed as "just rhetoric" a taped threat by a purported al Qaeda member that was aired by ABC News on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne, Allah willing," the masked man says on the tape that ABC said it received Saturday. The man — believed to be an American — speaks in unaccented English.

"And this time, don't count on us demonstrating restraint and compassion," he says on the tape, aired Sunday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton told The Early Show's Harry Smith that while the apparent terrorist's words are threatening, they are not specific enough to be interpreted as a real threat.

"Well, certainly ominous words. But we are not aware — 'we' being law enforcement at this time — of any clear or imminent threat directed at Los Angeles," Bratton said.

The network said the tape had been delivered to ABC in Pakistan. The man on the 11-minute tape, wearing a black turban with most of his face covered, called the attacks of four years ago "blessed events" before making the threats against the U.S. and Australian cities.

ABC said the man is believed to be Adam Yahiye Gadahn, an American from California who is wanted by the FBI. The CIA said Sunday it was aware of the report but had no immediate comment about the tape's authenticity.

Counter-terror officials believe Gadahn also may be the person on a 75-minute video given to ABC News last year in Pakistan. That tape was later deemed authentic.