Media Invited To "Interview" Al Qaeda Boss

In A First, Al Qaeda Invites Journalists To Send Questions To Its No. 2 Figure, Al-Zawahiri

(AP)  Al Qaeda has invited journalists to send questions to its No. 2 figure, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in the first such offer by the increasingly media-savvy terror network to "interview" one of its leaders since the 9-11 attacks.

The invitation is a new twist in al Qaeda's campaign to reach a broader audience, and represents an attempt by al-Zawahiri to present himself as a sophisticated leader rather than a mass murderer.

"I think their media capability is sophisticated as ever," said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert and professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. "It shows how this group with 7th century ideology is exploiting 21st century media capabilities."

The advertisement, issued by the group's media arm Al-Sahab on an Islamic militant Web site, invites "individuals, agencies and all media" to submit written questions for al-Zawahiri by sending them to the Web forums where Al-Sahab traditionally posts its messages.

Al-Sahab asked the forums to send it the questions "with no changes or substitutions, no matter whether they agree or disagree (with the question)."

It said it would take questions until Jan. 16, after which al-Zawahiri would answer them "as much as he is able and at the soonest possible occasion." It did not say whether his answers would come in writing, video or audiotape.

The authenticity of the invitation, first posted Sunday, could not be independently confirmed. But it was posted with the logo of Al-Sahab and the style of graphics and calligraphy it traditionally uses, along with a photo of al-Zawahiri. The advertisement appeared on several Web sites that Al-Sahab officially uses for issuing messages.

Osama bin Laden and al-Zawahiri have given a few interviews to Western and Arabic press since they first rose to prominence in the 1990s. But neither has been interviewed since the Sept. 11 attacks and the subsequent U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, which toppled al Qaeda's patrons the Taliban and sent al Qaeda's leaders into hiding.

They are believed to be in the lawless regions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Since then, al-Zawahiri has emerged as al Qaeda's most prominent spokesman. He has appeared in at least 16 videos and audiotapes this year, compared to four for bin Laden.

As a whole, the terror network's messaging has dramatically increased this year, with Al-Sahab issuing more than 90 videos in 2007, more than the total number for all three previous years, according to IntelCenter, a U.S. counterterrorism center that monitors militant message traffic.

In the most recent, issued Tuesday, Abu Laith al-Libi, a Libyan al Qaeda commander in Afghanistan who also releases frequent messages, lectured on the duty of Muslims to join the battle against the "devil."

The videos have grown more sophisticated in targeting their international audience. Videos are always subtitled in English, and messages this year from bin Laden and al-Zawahiri focusing on Pakistan and Afghanistan have been dubbed in the local languages, Urdu and Pashtu.

Videos and audiotapes have also had a faster turnaround, referring sometimes to events that occurred only days earlier. The al Qaeda leaders' messages are often interwoven with footage of past attacks, militants training and TV news clips of world events and leaders including President Bush - evidence that their producers have easy access to media.

"The translation of their statements and their release on the Internet shows that al Qaeda puts a lot of attention on making their messages as widely heard as possible," said Rita Katz, who runs the Washington-based terrorist monitoring SITE Institute.

"You have to keep in mind that al Qaeda is an operational organization, but at the same time they pay a lot of attention to the media warfare. You can't win one without the other," Katz said.

Ben Venzke, the head of IntelCenter, cited an open solicitation for questions from an arm of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia a few years ago as a precedent for Sunday's message. He said the group answered a variety of questions "ranging from big picture things to small practical things."

"I would expect to see a similar thing with al-Zawahiri," Venzke said.

In his messages, al-Zawahiri has taken on the role of the ideological policeman of the jihadi movement, warning against lapses in dedication to "holy war" against the U.S. "crusaders." He often lashes out at Muslim clerics who don't advocate jihad and Arab regimes allied to the West, while telling the Muslim world that the U.S. is failing in its policies.

His overarching theme has been to present al Qaeda as the leader of militant movements and to keep them unified. Although the extent of al Qaeda's control over allied groups is never clear, many analysts believe al-Zawahri likely holds the network's operational reins, leading the rebuilding of its command and heading meetings of its top leadership.

Hoffman said al-Zawahiri is also trying to boost his own image to look more like a true leader as opposed to a "homicidal thug." Opening himself up to questioning - in a similar fashion done in U.S. political campaigns - makes him look more sophisticated, he said.

"Al Qaeda wants to look more cutting edge and give the perception of greater legitimacy," Hoffman said.

Al-Zawahiri's latest videotape, on Monday, was in the form of an interview with Al-Sahab, in which an unseen interviewer could be heard asking questions to the Egyptian-born militant, who answered while sitting in front of shelves of stacked Islamic law and theology books.

Al-Zawahiri warned of "traitors" among insurgents in Iraq - an attempt to undermine groups of Iraqi Sunni tribesmen that the U.S. military has backed to help fight al Qaeda in Iraq.

Jeremy Binnie, a terrorism analyst with the Jane's military affairs consultancy in London, said the invitation to journalists is an extension of that message. Al Qaeda is scrambling to rein in any doubt that it is in control in Iraq, he said.

"It suggests that they are pretty desperate to get their views out there," he said.

[prinzowhales]

Maybe we can relish the spectacle of a CIA operative in the Media asking the leader of a CIA terror front a question about war being waged by the terrorist son of a former CIA head.

[prinzowhales]

Looks like al-Zawahiri is following the same strategy as Bush...who has failed in his efforts to appear "as a sophisticated leader rather than a mass murderer."
Maybe the #2 of al-CIAda can give him some pointers.

Hey, ''Al''...al-Zawahiri!! I got a question for you!
Did any of your simple-minded associates ever take a ride on either of the two CIA drug planes that went down in Mexico? These planes were involved in both drug smuggling and the renditions...Did the CIA ever mix up their drug business flights with their renditions so that the poor renditioned slobs had to fly all scrooched up because of all the drugs on the plane?

[foolprophet]

COOLPROPHET SLEEPS WITH LARRY CRAIG
In regards to Ron Paul%u2019s numerous failures on 9/11 legislature, lets not forget to mention that, notwithstanding the fact that the World Trade Center had already been the target of numerous terrorist attacks, Ron Paul (in his infinite wisdom) decided to put the Nation at war. After he agreed to a one billion Dollar pay off for his vote from the Scientologists headquarters his friend and long-time supporter, Larry Silverstien, who owned the World Trade Centers, Silverstein was kind enough to raise the favor by hosting Larry Craig and Ron Paul in a huge fundraiser a la Andy Warhol, which brought-in a hard earned $100,000 all for Ron Paul%u2019s hard on.

[coolprophet]

v666GIULIANI SLEEPS WITH LARRY SILVERSTEIN
In regards to Giuliani''s numerous failures on 9/11, lets not forget to mention that, notwithstanding the fact that the World Trade Center had already been the target of numerous terrorist attacks, Giuliani (in his infinite wisdom) decided to put the city''s OEM center in WTC-7. After he agreed to a one billion Dollar lease to put the OEM headquarters in WTC-7 with his friend and long-time supporter, Larry Silverstien, who owned the World Trade Centers, Silverstein was kind enough to repay the favor by hosting a huge fundraiser for Rudy on his private yahct, which brought-in over $100,000 for Giuliani.
maybe just maybe some others had somthing to gain along with others

[gunnerv1]

Send the "National Enquier"! LOL

[Con Mohrat]

Dear Dr. Zawahiri,
Where exactly do you live?
Dubya Bush
Lame Duck

[pacificmarin]

The article did not give the address at which to submit questions. What is it?

[toolmangler-2009]

The best press this outfit can get is any that will pay attention to them. we should ignore them, but we won''t.

[cbs_oliver]

Al Qaeda is a small and largely powerless cult that now and then does terrible things.

There is really no reason to talk to them or even much about them.

They are similar to the anarchists of 100 years ago.

I am much more afraid our own more powerful and more effective crazys.

[clestes-2009]

If you want to ask a question, email it to a respected news reporter and he can ask it. Why pose your questions to the blog?? We can''t answer them.

[clestes-2009]

What do you want to bet they talk about US foreign policy of intervention and say ZIPPO about rock n roll, American freedoms or women working and voting??

Any takers, you will lose. I have been saying this for years. The whole idea of the terrorist being able to take over or subdue the US or any other country is BOGUS! It has been used as a tool to permit the invasion and occupation of an oil rich middle east country.

Saddam didn''t have nuclear weapons and he had NO CONNECTION to 9-11. But he did control the access to Iraq''s oil.

These terrorist are a bunch of guerillas roaming the mountains of Pakistan, Afghanistan in hiding with no formal army, air force or navy. The idea they could be a threat to toppling the US is STUPID.

As far as infiltrating our muslim population goes, there is NO SIGN that any jihadist groups have any hold over them.

I''m telling you again. This is about foreign policy, and oil.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by hawksprings at 11:11 PM : Dec 19, 2007

Defeat??? We already WON! There is no defeat to be had in Iraq. Now there is the matter in having good sense and letting those folks have their country back. That will happen as soon as Bush and Cheney get the oil contracts signed.

I don''t think Jeb''s housemate, Osama, down in Florida would likely be allowed to appear at the Democratic convention. Now wouldn''t that be silly? Noooooo, the Neocons need him to keep promoting fear and chaos, they can''t allow him to hob nob with the very people who might ruin their chances to stay and get the oil.

[micma-2009]

This is just one more glaring example of what a complete distraction Iraq has been and what a total failure Bu$h''s so-called "war on terror" is. Bin Laden and Al Zawahiri are building Al Qaeda, planning new attacks, and even doing press conferences 6 years after 9/11.


Here''''s what Bu$h has to say about it:


"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him."
- G.W. Bush, 9/13/01

"I don''t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don''t care. It''s not that important. It''s not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02





Bush and his supporters are morons.

[walt1944-2009]

The Great Emperor Bush has learned that al-Zawahiri will be conducting a "news conference" and inviting journalist from around the world to ask questions.

The Great Emperor has questions to ask, but he is seriously considering having Britt Hume of Fox News ask them for him. One of those questions is: What does Al Qeada think of water boarding? Another is: Does Al Qeada take video tapes when it tortures people? Could he send the Great Emperor some?

It must be remembered that the Emperor still doesn''t think of Osama Bin Laden since he has greater things on his mind; among them, what sort of legacy he plans to leave behind (if he does leave!), and the upcoming wedding of his "flaky" daughter, Jenna.

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[hungry1968]

These terrorists are really learning from the Liberals. Get your lies in the mainstream media enough and people may start to actually beleive it.

Posted by SBB2211 at 06:47 AM : Dec 20, 2007



What the ****** do you call "Fox News"?!?!?!?!

The GOP has their own propaganda network!!!!!

[neoconrcrazy]

Dear Zawa

Here Lindsey from South Carolina -

Why did you ask Saddam to attack us on Sept.11 ?

Why didn''t yuh have the courage to do it yourself!

[neoconrcrazy]

Dear Zawa,

I''m jimmy-boy from el paso - I reckon y''all real proud having tried to trick our Decider - that movin'' of Osama from your country and puttin'' ''em in Saddams Eye-rak! Well, we wasn''t fooled one bit, nosir, we know ole Ossma is somewhere in Eye-rak or Eye-ran and we doggone gonna find''em even if we gotta dig up all ye real estate! Even if we gotta stay there forever!

[neoconrcrazy]

Dear Mr. Al-Zawahiri -

I''m Chuck from Austin, Texas and I have this here question for ye:

Tell me Zawa, how is it y''all be ale to hide that ole Asama? We ben told he''s hidin''out there in the hills in pakitstan but we can''t find''em!

[blancadebree]

I''m going to wait for the Al Queda DVD box set. I hear it will have tons of bonus features, including outtakes and bloopers. There''s one where bin Laden is saying "death to Bush," winks, and breaks out in laughter. Good stuff.

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com

[sbb2211]

degress12

I must have struck a nerve (again). Always happy to rattle your cages!

Have a lovely day!