Bin Laden Offers Truce to Europe

[Skywarp! 0]

CNN:Europe: No deal with bin Laden

 

 

 

LONDON, England (CNN) -- European politicans have ruled out negotiations with Osama bin Laden after a tape purported to be of the al Qaeda leader offered a truce to European nations if they pulled out troops from Muslim countries.

 

"It is completely unthinkable that we could start negotiations with bin Laden. Everyone understands that," Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told reporters.

 

European Commission President Romano Prodi said there could be no negotiating under a "terrorist threat." (Analysis)

 

In Britain the Foreign Office said there was no proof the voice on the tape was bin Laden. However, the message was being taken seriously.

 

"We can't negotiate with al Qaeda," a spokesman said. "Their attacks are against the very idea of co-existence and conflict is their raison d'etre.

 

"To hide in the face of the threat is not an answer. The right response is to continue to confront terrorism not give in to its demands."

 

A German government spokesman said the country would not negotiate with "criminals" like bin Laden.

 

"There will be no negotiations with terrorists and serious criminals like Osama bin Laden. The international community must continue the fight against international terrorism together. Germany will continue to contribute to that," the spokesman said.

 

Arab language TV network Al-Arabiya aired Wednesday what it said was an audio tape from bin Laden, in which he threatened revenge on America, but offers a truce to European states.

 

CNN experts who have listened to the tape say that the speaker sounds like bin Laden but there is no way for CNN to independently confirm the speaker's identity.

 

Dubai-based Al-Arabiya declined to say how it received the tape, but the speaker referred to events that occurred less than a month ago.

 

In the audio tape, the speaker threatens revenge on the United States for the death of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was killed March 22 in an Israeli targeted helicopter attack in Gaza City.

 

He also refers to the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States and the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings as examples of actions al Qaeda has taken in response to attacks on Muslims.

 

He offers a "truce" or "non-aggression" to any European country that stops "attacking Muslims," but excludes the United States from any such deal.

 

The speaker gives a three-month deadline, starting April 15, for countries to stop attacking Muslims. He mentions Iraq but not in the specific context of the U.S.-led war.

 

The last tape believed to have been recorded by bin Laden aired in January on Qatar-based Arabic language network, Al Jazeera.

 

The CIA said the speaker on that tape was "likely" bin Laden, who describes the U.S. involvement in Iraq as the beginning of an occupation of Persian Gulf states for their oil.

 

"Whoever made the tape," a CIA official said noting the Yassin death reference, it "clearly has been made in the last three weeks."

 

Intelligence officials conducting a technical analysis of the tape expect to say "soon" whether they believe the comments are the voice of bin Laden.

 

On March 25, Al Jazeera aired a tape believed to be from bin Laden's top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, calling on Pakistanis to overthrow President Pervez Musharraf.

[Skywarp! 0]

BBC:

 

 

Full text: 'Bin Laden tape'

An audiotape purported to be from Osama Bin Laden has been broadcast by the pan-Arab al-Arabiya and al-Jazeera satellite channels. In the tape the voice offers conditional reconciliation with Europe.

 

The following is the text of the tape as broadcast by al-Arabiya:

 

Praise be to Almighty God; Peace and prayers be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions.

 

This is a message to our neighbours north of the Mediterranean, containing a reconciliation initiative as a response to their positive reactions.

 

Praise be to God; praise be to God; praise be to God who created heaven and earth with justice and who allowed the oppressed to punish the oppressor in the same way.

 

Peace upon those who followed the right path:

 

'Oppression kills the oppressors'

 

In my hands there is a message to remind you that justice is a duty towards those whom you love and those whom you do not. And people's rights will not be harmed if the opponent speaks out about them.

 

The greatest rule of safety is justice, and stopping injustice and aggression. It was said: Oppression kills the oppressors and the hotbed of injustice is evil. The situation in occupied Palestine is an example. What happened on 11 September [2001] and 11 March [the Madrid train bombings] is your commodity that was returned to you.

 

It is known that security is a pressing necessity for all mankind. We do not agree that you should monopolise it only for yourselves. Also, vigilant people do not allow their politicians to tamper with their security.

 

Having said this, we would like to inform you that labelling us and our acts as terrorism is also a description of you and of your acts. Reaction comes at the same level as the original action. Our acts are reaction to your own acts, which are represented by the destruction and killing of our kinfolk in Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine.

 

The act that horrified the world; that is, the killing of the old, handicapped [Hamas spiritual leader] Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, may God have mercy on him, is sufficient evidence.

 

We pledge to God that we will punish America for him, God willing.

 

Which religion considers your killed ones innocent and our killed ones worthless? And which principle considers your blood real blood and our blood water? Reciprocal treatment is fair and the one who starts injustice bears greater blame.

 

'Bloodsuckers'

 

As for your politicians and those who have followed their path, who insist on ignoring the real problem of occupying the entirety of Palestine and exaggerate lies and falsification regarding our right in defence and resistance, they do not respect themselves.

 

They also disdain the blood and minds of peoples. This is because their falsification increases the shedding of your blood instead of sparing it.

 

Moreover, the examining of the developments that have been taking place, in terms of killings in our countries and your countries, will make clear an important fact; namely, that injustice is inflicted on us and on you by your politicians, who send your sons - although you are opposed to this - to our countries to kill and be killed.

 

Therefore, it is in both sides' interest to curb the plans of those who shed the blood of peoples for their narrow personal interest and subservience to the White House gang.

 

 

We must take into consideration that this war brings billions of dollars in profit to the major companies, whether it be those that produce weapons or those that contribute to reconstruction, such as the Halliburton Company, its sisters and daughters.

Based on this, it is very clear who is the one benefiting from igniting this war and from the shedding of blood. It is the warlords, the bloodsuckers, who are steering the world policy from behind a curtain.

 

As for President Bush, the leaders who are revolving in his orbit, the leading media companies and the United Nations, which makes laws for relations between the masters of veto and the slaves of the General Assembly, these are only some of the tools used to deceive and exploit peoples.

 

All these pose a fatal threat to the whole world.

 

The Zionist lobby is one of the most dangerous and most difficult figures of this group. God willing, we are determined to fight them.

 

'Reconciliation initiative'

 

Based on the above, and in order to deny war merchants a chance and in response to the positive interaction shown by recent events and opinion polls, which indicate that most European peoples want peace, I ask honest people, especially ulema, preachers and merchants, to form a permanent committee to enlighten European peoples of the justice of our causes, above all Palestine. They can make use of the huge potential of the media.

 

 

I also offer a reconciliation initiative to them, whose essence is our commitment to stopping operations against every country that commits itself to not attacking Muslims or interfering in their affairs - including the US conspiracy on the greater Muslim world.

This reconciliation can be renewed once the period signed by the first government expires and a second government is formed with the consent of both parties.

 

The reconciliation will start with the departure of its last soldier from our country.

 

The door of reconciliation is open for three months of the date of announcing this statement.

 

For those who reject reconciliation and want war, we are ready.

 

As for those who want reconciliation, we have given them a chance. Stop shedding our blood so as to preserve your blood. It is in your hands to apply this easy, yet difficult, formula. You know that the situation will expand and increase if you delay things.

 

If this happens, do not blame us - blame yourselves.

 

A rational person does not relinquish his security, money and children to please the liar of the White House.

 

Had he been truthful about his claim for peace, he would not describe the person who ripped open pregnant women in Sabra and Shatila [reference to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon] and the destroyer of the capitulation process [reference to the Palestinian-Israeli peace process] as a man of peace.

 

 

He also would not have lied to people and said that we hate freedom and kill for the sake of killing. Reality proves our truthfulness and his lie.

The killing of the Russians was after their invasion of Afghanistan and Chechnya; the killing of Europeans was after their invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan; and the killing of Americans on the day of New York [reference to 11 September] was after their support of the Jews in Palestine and their invasion of the Arabian Peninsula.

 

Also, killing them in Somalia was after their invasion of it in Operation Restore Hope. We made them leave without hope, praise be to God.

 

It is said that prevention is better than cure. A happy person is he who learns a lesson from the experience of others.

 

Heeding right is better than persisting in falsehood.

 

Peace be upon those who follow guidance.

[Vyce 0]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

[Skywarp! 0]

Wow. I'm surprised this has been getting ignored.

[Renegade 0]

Any European country would be insane to even consider this "truce".

[Youth N Asia 0]

Wow, I'm shocked they didn't give in to the cave monkey. [/sarcasm]

 

I think it would be stupid for anyone to accept, it shows that he weilds some kind of power. And if he gets thinking that way he'll do more crazy shit anyway. It's not like he's a trustworthy fellow.

[Guest hunger4unger]

It can't possibly be accepted nor should it. I am however keeping an open mind regarding the validility of this tape.

[Styles 0]

Did he leave a return address so we can send him some napalm?

[Highland 0]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Yes, how dare they exercise their democrat right to vote for whomever they please. Damn those capitulators!.

[Guest MikeSC]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Yes, how dare they exercise their democrat right to vote for whomever they please. Damn those capitulators!.

The violence escalated noticeably after the capitulation.

-=Mike

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Yes, how dare they exercise their democrat right to vote for whomever they please. Damn those capitulators!.

The violence escalated noticeably after the capitulation.

-=Mike

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

 

#1 - Can you tell us the source of the 'Pull out of Iraq or we attack more' claim?

 

Because one thing I remember involves a shadowy group that also claimed credit for other terrorist attacks, and the New York blackout.

 

#2 - And Spain will pull out, despite their claim that they will pull out on June 30th, if the transfer of power doesn't take place, right?

[Guest MikeSC]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Yes, how dare they exercise their democrat right to vote for whomever they please. Damn those capitulators!.

The violence escalated noticeably after the capitulation.

-=Mike

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

 

#1 - Can you tell us the source of the 'Pull out of Iraq or we attack more' claim?

 

Because one thing I remember involves a shadowy group that also claimed credit for other terrorist attacks, and the New York blackout.

 

#2 - And Spain will pull out, despite their claim that they will pull out on June 30th, if the transfer of power doesn't take place, right?

If you mean the current situation, here's the direct translation, from our buddies at MEMRI.org.

 

"September 11 and March 11 is Your Own Merchandise Coming Back to You"

 

"This is a message to our neighbors north of the Mediterranean, with a proposal for a peace treaty, in response to the positive reactions which emerged there.

 

"What happened in September 11 and March 11 is your own merchandise coming back to you. We hereby advise you...that your definition of us and of our actions as terrorism is nothing but a definition of yourselves by yourselves, since our reaction is of the same kind as your act. Our actions are a reaction to yours, which are destruction and killing of our people as is happening in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine.

 

"It suffices to see the event that shocked the world — the killing of the wheelchair-bound old man Ahmad Yassin — Allah's mercy upon him — and we pledge to Allah to avenge [his murder] on America, Allah willing.

 

"By what measure of kindness are your killed considered innocents while ours are considered worthless? By what school [of thought] is your blood considered blood while our blood is water?

 

"Therefore, it is [only] just to respond in kind, and the one who started it is more to blame..."

 

We will Continue to Fight the U.S. and U.N.

 

"When you look at what happened and is happening, the killing in our countries and in yours, an important fact emerges, and that is that the oppression is forced on both us and you by your politicians who send your sons, against your will, to our country to kill and to be killed.

 

"Therefore, both sides have an interest in thwarting those who shed the blood of the peoples for their own narrow interests, out of vassalage to the White House gang...

 

"This war makes millions of dollars for big corporations, either weapons manufacturers or those working in the reconstruction [of Iraq], such as Halliburton and its sister companies...

 

"It is crystal clear who benefits from igniting the fire of this war and this bloodshed: They are the merchants of war, the bloodsuckers who run the policy of the world from behind the scenes.

 

"President Bush and his ilk, the media giants, and the U.N. ... all are a fatal danger to the world, and the Zionist lobby is their most dangerous member. Allah willing, we will persist in fighting them...

 

"I Hereby Offer [Europe] a Peace Treaty"

 

"Therefore, in order to thwart opportunities for the merchants of war, and in response to the positive developments that were expressed in recent events and in the public-opinion polls, which determined that most European peoples want peace, I urge...the establishment of a permanent commission to nurture awareness among Europeans regarding the justness of our causes, particularly the cause of Palestine, and that use be made of the vast media resources to this end.

 

"I hereby offer them a peace treaty, the essence of which is our commitment to halt actions against any country that commits itself to refraining from attacking Muslims or intervening in their affairs, including the American conspiracy against the larger Islamic world.

 

"This peace treaty can be renewed at the end of the term of a government and the rise of another, with the agreement of both sides.

 

"The peace treaty will be in force as soon with the exit of the last soldier of any given [European] country from our land.

 

"The door of peace will remain open for three months from the broadcast of this statement. Whoever rejects the peace and wants war should know that we are the men [of war], and whoever wants a peace treaty and signs it, we hereby allow this peace treaty with him.

 

"Stop shedding our blood in order to protect your own blood. The solution to this easy-difficult equation is in your own hands. You should know that the longer you delay, the worse the situation will become, and when that happens, do not blame us, blame yourselves...

 

"As for those who lie to people and say that we hate freedom and kill for the sake of killing — reality proves that we are the speakers of truth and they lie, because the killing of the Russians took place only after their invasion of Afghanistan and Chechnya; the killing of the Europeans took place only after the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan; the killing of the Americans in the Battle of New York took place only after their support for the Jews in Palestine and their invasion of the Arabian Peninsula; their killing in Somalia happened only after Operation Restore Hope. We restored [i.e. repelled] them without hope, by the grace of Allah."

 

2) Spain is, no doubt, aware that a transfer of power is HIGHLY unlikely to occur on 6/30, considering the problems. Their change in government, no doubt, inspired more violence by the terrorists as they saw that governments can be falled due to violence.

 

The thing is --- this "offer" from bin Laden shows how well we're doing. One does not request "peace treaties" when others leave their land if they're winning the war.

-=Mike

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Well, you didn't touch on #1. (Prefering instead to quote Memri talking about the results of countries fighting in Iraq, not that the attacks were connected to Spain's participation in Iraq).

 

Spain is, no doubt, aware that a transfer of power is HIGHLY unlikely to occur on 6/30, considering the problems.

 

Well that's unfortunate, considering we made that pledge, and as of this week, the President said we were going to do that.

 

Their change in government, no doubt, inspired more violence by the terrorists as they saw that governments can be falled due to violence.

 

So basically, they're to blame for this, instead of the terrorists (who would have been emboldened by a false presumption in this scenario)

 

The Conservative government was leading before the attacks, but it was after their insistance that the Basques carried out the attacks that a swing vote gave the victory to the PSOE. Looking like you're BSing people after an attack doesn't gain you allies. Blaming the Basques while the entire world has figured out it was Al-Qaida does not go over well.

 

I've stated this before, but the Conservatives in Spain can blame themselves for their fall from power.

 

Now, if we use the "Voting in others emboldens terror" logic, does that mean that voting for John Kerry will embolden terrorists around the world?

 

The thing is --- this "offer" from bin Laden shows how well we're doing.

 

So, since the United States is doing good, 'Bin Laden' makes an 'offer' to Europe.

 

I wouldn't come out and say that's a sign of our success. I'd say a sign of our success is the fact that Bin Laden hasn't appeared on tape in over 2 years. That'd be a credit to some of the people who have offered their help. Such as a guy who was familar with rock patterns in Afghanistan (who could pinpoint where OBL was in his tapes based on that)

 

I'd say there's no doubt that OBL is losing.

 

Although, how do you win a war on terrorism?

 

The President claims to have a plan.

 

Would you say that the number of people participating/supporting in terrorist actions has risen since March 2003? or since 9/11?

[Vyce 0]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Yes, how dare they exercise their democrat right to vote for whomever they please. Damn those capitulators!.

I wasn't talking about Spain, actually, but now that you bring them up, they're quite the good example.

 

Yes, I believe that if there is a terrorist attack in one of the other Euro countries, then they'll pussy out exactly as the Spanish did.

 

They can afford to act brave now. We'll see their true colors once the shit really goes down.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

And a bit of a repost when it comes to Spain.

 

The results map:

 

 

I believe that if there is a terrorist attack in one of the other Euro countries, then they'll pussy out exactly as the Spanish did.

 

Pussy out meaning 'voting against the party who had tried to pin the attacks on the Basques instead of Al-Qaida'?

 

or Pussy out meaning 'voting against the ruling party'

 

So, even with the PP either missing all the clues and blaming the ETA, or a possible cover-up of the facts, they should have been elected?

[Vanhalen 0]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Hmmm, does 30 years of being bombed by the IRA tell you anything about us giving in after one attack?

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Hmmm, does 30 years of being bombed by the IRA tell you anything about us giving in after one attack?

Indeed.

 

Europe has been through centuries of bloody warfare that makes American history look like a PG 13 movie.

[Guest MikeSC]

They reject now.

 

As soon as one modest terrorist attack hits them, though, they'll probably do whatever the hell he wants.

Hmmm, does 30 years of being bombed by the IRA tell you anything about us giving in after one attack?

Indeed.

 

Europe has been through centuries of bloody warfare that makes American history look like a PG 13 movie.

And the resolve of W. Europe has been mightily degraded since.

 

Of course, since it is happening primarily to Americans, most of W. Europe has a hard time holding back their glee.

-=Mike

...Funny, you didn't see a single American anywhere hinting that Spain "deserved" what they got

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

Sure I have. Saying that I haven't seen a "single" american being glad about it is very ignorant as there's always someone like that,

 

But, oh that's right, America is superior to all other nations just because It's America darnit!

[Guest MikeSC]

Sure I have. Saying that I haven't seen a "single" american being glad about it is very ignorant as there's always someone like that,

Any books released here saying that the Spanish gov't bombed themselves or that they "deserved" it? Any intellectuals going on TV saying that? Any Americans polled who agree with the assessment?

 

No. There is none of that.

 

But, ALL of that happened in W. Europe not too long after 9/11. We did take notice of it.

But, oh that's right, America is superior to all other nations just because It's America darnit!

No, we're "superior" because we take no pleasure in seeing our "allies" harmed by anybody.

 

Not even France, and they are an INCREDIBLY iffy "ally".

-=Mike

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Of course, since it is happening primarily to Americans, most of W. Europe has a hard time holding back their glee.

Wow. I have family over there, and if they're any indication of the norm (and they seem like regular decent people), you're really, really wrong.

[Guest MikeSC]

Of course, since it is happening primarily to Americans, most of W. Europe has a hard time holding back their glee.

Wow. I have family over there, and if they're any indication of the norm (and they seem like regular decent people), you're really, really wrong.

I sincerely hope so.

-=Mike

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

so because it's not on tv it can't be happening? that's anal.

[Vanhalen 0]

Of course, since it is happening primarily to Americans, most of W. Europe has a hard time holding back their glee.

That has got to be one of the most inane, uninformed comments I have ever seen in my life, did you honestly mean that?

[Guest MikeSC]

Of course, since it is happening primarily to Americans, most of W. Europe has a hard time holding back their glee.

That has got to be one of the most inane, uninformed comments I have ever seen in my life, did you honestly mean that?

Sorry, France DIDN'T have a top 10 selling book claiming that the U.S was behind the 9/11 attacks?

-=Mike

[Vern Gagne 0]

Mike the sad thing is a book claiming the U.S was behind 9-11 would make the Top 10 here.

[Guest MikeSC]

Mike the sad thing is a book claiming the U.S was behind 9-11 would make the Top 10 here.

Franken would write it. Foreword by Garofalo. Grease stains by Michael Moore.

-=Mike

[tommytomlin 0]

Since when does buying a book mean you agree with the views expressed in it? Maybe the book sold because it was controversial?

[Guest MikeSC]

Since when does buying a book mean you agree with the views expressed in it? Maybe the book sold because it was controversial?

The number of people who'd drop $25 on a book because they HATE the idea behind it is miniscule.

-=Mike

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Mike the sad thing is a book claiming the U.S was behind 9-11 would make the Top 10 here.

Franken would write it. Foreword by Garofalo. Grease stains by Michael Moore.

-=Mike

I don't even take Michael Moore and enjoy it when we talk about how fat he is, but this is low and uncalled for.