LONDON, Nov. 19, 2008
Al Qaeda: Don't Be Fooled By Obama
Bin Laden Deputy Warns Muslims In New Audio Tape That U.S. Is "Still Full Of Hate ... Drowning In Greed"
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This image taken from a jihadi Web forum shows a graphic which appeared over a new audio message from al Qaeda deputy leader Ayman Zawahri on Nov. 19, 2008. The three-picture collage includes: at left, President-elect Barack Obama at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem; at center, a file image of Zawahri, and at right a black and white photo of Malcom X. (CBS)
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Al Qaeda has released its first detailed response to the election of Barack Obama. In an audio tape posted on jihadi Web forums Wednesday, Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman Zawahri, admonishes Muslims to keep up the fight against America, a country which he claims "is still full of hate."
The terror group's media wing, as-Sahab, released the 11-minute audio featuring a statement by Zawahri titled, “The Departure of Bush and the Advent of Obama.”
Zawahri began his remarks by congratulating Muslims on the election of Obama, describing it as, "the American people’s admission of defeat in Iraq,” noting that the American people had voted for the candidate who wanted to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.
He then addresses president-elect directly, warning him that President Bush was leaving a legacy of “failure and crimes” in his wake.
Zawahri tells Obama that his plan to re-concentrate military efforts in Afghanistan is doomed to failure. He warns the new leader that by doing so, not only will his forces be defeated, but he himself will be met by the same fate as Mr. Bush and former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf - both of whom arguably saw their popularity wither thanks to their respective actions in the U.S.-led war on terror.
“It appears that you don’t know anything about the Muslim Ummah (nation) and its history, or the fate of the traitors who cooperated with the invaders against it, and don’t know anything about the history of Afghanistan and its free and defiant Muslim people. And if you still want to be stubborn about America’s failure in Afghanistan, then remember the fate of Bush and Pervez Musharraf, and the fate of the Soviets and British before them,” Zawahri says in the audio.
Bin Laden's deputy labels Obama another president who has chosen a stance of hostility against Islam and Muslims. He said Obama had "abandoned his Muslim faith," and set up a direct comparison between the president-elect and Malcom X, “who prided himself on his fraternity with the Muslims… You represent the direct opposite of honorable black Americans like Malik al-Shabazz, or Malcolm X, may Allah have mercy on him.”
Despite having been schooled briefly at an Islamic school while living in Indonesia as a child, Obama has never been a practicing Muslim.
Zawahri warned Obama that America's fight is not against a small group or organization, but rather an Islamic Jihadi awakening spread all over the world.
The third part of Zawahri's statement was aimed at Muslims worldwide. He advises them that Obama’s election does not change what al Qaeda has for years sold as America’s hostile stance towards Islam, and therefore Muslims still have a duty to continue “causing harm” to the U.S.
“America’s criminal, expansionist crusader project in your lands has only been neutralized by the sacrifices of your sons, the Mujahideen," Zawahri says to Muslims.
Responding to the message Wednesday, White House press secretary Dana Perino dismissed Zawahri's remarks as, "more despicable and pathetic comments by al Qaeda terrorists."
"In America, we're going to have a smooth transition from one administration to the next and that will be a period of change in our country. What won't change is our commitment as a country to fighting terrorism and I think that these comments just remind everybody of the kind of people that we're dealing with."
Zawahri goes on to address the Islamic militants around the world, with special attention paid to those in Iraq. He congratulates them on their work, and urges them to keep up the fight. He speaks to the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, warning him of "conspiracies and betrayals" that may take place during the coming period, as the U.S. begins a serious withdrawal from Iraq.
Prior to Zawahri's audio release Wednesday, a far-less-specific message from al-Baghdadi, which failed to mention Obama, had been the only post-election message from al Qaeda.
Zawahri also addressed “the world’s weak and oppressed.” He told them not to be fooled into thinking that Obama's election may bring the change they’ve been longing for. Despite the new leadership, “America’s heart is still full of hate, its mind drowning in greed, and its spirit still spreading evil, murder, repression and despotism, as always,” he said.
The al Qaeda deputy concluded with a message to the American people, saying they had two choices; to accept the “defeat and losses caused by America’s policies," or take Osama bin Laden’s offer and “withdraw from the lands of the Muslims and refrain from stealing their treasures and interfering in their affairs.”
The tape was most likely recorded during the week of Nov. 3, 2008, shortly after the result of the U.S. election was announced. Zawahri referred to a U.S. airstrike that killed 37 people in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Nov. 3, saying it took place “last Monday.”
Zawahri's speech was played over a collage of three pictures: at center, Zawahri dressed in traditional Arab white robes and turban (this image is from his third taped interview for as-Sahab); at right, a black and white picture of Malcom X; and at left, a picture of Obama at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, wearing a traditional Jewish skullcap.
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Add a Comment See all 213 Comments
- Where''s Bin Ladin...(dead?). Doesn''t Zawahiri know that he has to wait until Obama is actually in office before he should start hurling insults and predictiing what''s going to happen? Maybe his head wrap is too tight. Wrong move, idiot!
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- These guys don''t like themselves, let alone any American. Just how desperate are these terrorists to do anything to get media attention? What a bunch of losers! The rest of the world is trying to pull together in this global economic crisis and we have to deal with some Schmuck in a dirty turban? Ignore Al Qaeda - they are of no real value or interest any longer - and they KNOW it too!
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- Those nuts will lose Bush-their strongest recruter-& weakest enemy !
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- B-b-b-but wait! You mean Al Qaeda doesn''t like Obama? Then shouldn''t Hannity and Limbaugh and the rest of crowd on Hate Radio embrace him, instead of already attacking him before he has even taken office? Good luck on that.
And just for the record, Zawahri, Americans are full mostly of apathy, if anything. You nutbags started this ***, Americans were home playing XBox and minding their own decadent business. - Reply to this comment
- What? You mean to tell me that Al Qaeda hates liberal democrat Americans too? How can this be? I thought when the savior was elected, our enemies would stop hating us and there would peace on earth and we can all sit down together and have a cup of tea.
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Posted by dmcar2000 at 11:59 PM : Nov 19, 2008
I think it is hilarious how you Limbaugh followers never use your own words, but instead, repeat the same brainwashing line that Limbaugh told you this morning on his hate show. Get a brain, learn to think, and start using your own words for once. - Reply to this comment
- What? You mean to tell me that Al Qaeda hates liberal democrat Americans too? How can this be? I thought when the savior was elected, our enemies would stop hating us and there would peace on earth and we can all sit down together and have a cup of tea.
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Posted by dmcar2000 at 11:59 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Well...at least he didn''t say that he liked Obama...then you republicans would have really sh*t ur pants. - Reply to this comment
- Don''t worry Al Qaeda, Obama isn''t your president so suck it
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- Al Qaeda hates all Americans not just the conservative ones.
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- What a shame. Ol'' Zawahiri has to resort to name-calling against the new president-elect just to get news space in the media! Ol'' Zawahiri now realizes that HE has lost his most important element for hatred in the world: GW Bush/Cheney.
Note the number of nations from that region who have already sought the new U.S. President''s attention in a very positive way. Looks like Ol'' Zawahiri will have to find some other line of work than terrorist'' spokesperson. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by ToolMangler at 10:40 PM : Nov 19,
OK, I''''ll check that out when you grow up and get some for real big britches...
Posted by Rowdydfw at 11:08 PM : Nov 19, 2008
You love to keep the pot stirred don''t you Rowdy.
Have a good night.
Live Long and Prosper. - Reply to this comment
- Kewl, me too...let''''s see if I can find some adults.. Posted by Rowdydfw at 10:33 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Child.. You aren''t ready for us. So quit looking. once you are grown you will recognize that an ''adult'' is more than just a big child. - Reply to this comment
- Roudydfw where is texwithlove.
Posted by rxzyu at 10:30 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Someone must have got her animated enough where she crossed the line. Had to switch names. - Reply to this comment
- posted by Rowdydfw at 10:26 PM : Nov 19, 2008
I really with you good luck with that Springer audition
now on to a board where you''re not - Reply to this comment
- Roudydfw where is texwithlove.
- Reply to this comment
- Claimed he was put on trial, but then changed the story, claimed it was spanish, when its actually Latin.
Posted by seis-6-seis at 10:25 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Denial can be a wonderful defense mechanism. Of course you have to have something to defend. - Reply to this comment
Well, I''m still working and I''m bored, and playing with tiny little socialist democrapic minds is more fun than Jerry Sringer...
Posted by Rowdydfw at 10:19 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Thanks for that info, now I understand why it is always about ''you''... It seems that you are a ''Legend in your own mind''. Well... if it will placate you....... Salud!!!- Reply to this comment
- realizing it''''s mostly for BEER, can lead to a serious re-thinking of married life! LMAO!
Posted by Rowdydfw at 10:24 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Sorry to hear it, Rowdy. Hope he got help and hope you took him to the cleaners. - Reply to this comment
- after reading theses post, why does it sound that rowdey''s bein backed into a corner?
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- No dear, fact, Jack...but please honk on...it''''s hilarious watching you squirm and lie...so typical.
Posted by Rowdydfw at 10:21 PM : Nov 19, 2008
See what I mean, DJ? She builds her wall of denial and hides behind it.
VERITAS VOS LIBERABIT, Rowdy!!!
LOL!!!
Facts. Hardee har har. what do you know about facts? - Reply to this comment
- Well, I''''m still working and I''''m bored,
Posted by Rowdydfw at 10:19 PM : Nov 19, 2008
Some job
Sad you - Reply to this comment
