The al Qaeda Tape Furor - Reality Check The Videotape An hour-long videotape apparently released by al-Sahab Enterprises, the public relations arm of al Qaeda was reportedly obtained by ABC News in Waziristan, Pakistan last weekend. The tape is narrated by a terrorist who identifies himself as "Assam the American". Videotaped with his face concealed by a head dress, he spoke with an American accent and promised that the next attack will "dwarf 9/11." He further stated "The streets will run with blood," and "America will mourn in silence" because they will be unable to count the number of the dead. The speaker added that "America has brought this on itself for electing George Bush who has made war on Islam by destroying the Taliban and making war on Al Qaeda." The videotape was apparently made within the last few months as the speaker makes references to the conflict in Darfur, the 9/11 Commission and a number of other recent events. At the time of this report, the CIA has yet to authenticate the videotape or provide further public analysis of the footage, although sources close to the Northeast Intelligence Network suggest that the video footage will ultimately be authenticated. The Evidence Trail It is interesting and relevant to point out that to date, the modus operandi of al Sahab Enterprises, the reported producer of the video has been to release their video productions to Al Jazeera and further disseminate the videos via specific Internet web sites. Although there have been recent minor exceptions to the delivery and release of the Sahab products to the media, the report that ABC News obtained this videotape from a source in the mountainous Waziristan area of Pakistan "breaks tradition," so to speak. It is also interesting to note that Secretary of State Colin Powell and 9/11 Commission member John Lehman identified that region last week as the location where Osama bin Laden and the operational command of al Qaeda and the Taliban were hiding. Just how ABC News obtained the video and how word of the video leaked less than a week before the US Presidential elections is curious at best. Certainly, it is a breach of their previous pattern of operation. Waziristan, Pakistan: Waziristan is located in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, on the Afghanistan border. It is divided into North Waziristan, an extremely arid and mountainous region inhabited by farming Wazir tribes, and South Waziristan, populated by seminomad Mahsuds. Last week, Secretary of State Colin Powell and 9/11 Commission member John Lehman both stated they believed that Osama bin Laden and many al Qaeda and Taliban members were hiding in this region. From the Long Beach News Press Telegram: http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21474~2483927,00.html CLAREMONT - The Pentagon knows exactly where Osama bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan, it just can't get to him, a member of the 9/11 Commission said Thursday. Commissioner John Lehman's remarks echoed those made Tuesday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who asserted the al-Qaeda terror kingpin was alive and operating in the western part of that country. Bin Laden is living in South Waziristan in the Baluchistan Mountains of the Baluchistan Region, Lehman told The San Bernardino Sun after delivering a keynote speech on terrorism at Pitzer College in Claremont to kick off the university's three- day writer's festival. Sahab Enterprises Al Sahab Productions Sahab Institute for Media Production Al-Sahab Enterprises, a/k/a al Sahab Productions (al Sahab is Arabic for "the clouds") is known as the "public relations arm" of al Qaeda. "Credits" include a 105-minute video entitled "Destroying the Destroyer Cole," released on June 23, 2002 that contains images of the attack and old footage of bin Laden praising the attackers. Al Sahab productions also released a number of other terrorist videos, including video of 9/11 hijacker Ahmad al-Ghamidi's will, and the video the "Battle of Badr al Riyadh" released on the Internet in January 2004. Many previously released tapes are of high quality and frequently show footage of vintage Osama bin Laden. Al Sahab Enterprises is reportedly operated by a terrorist who is identified by the name "Abi Osama" [literal translation - Osama's Father]. Al Sahab reportedly had an exclusivity agreement with the Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera, where they were committed to broadcast any videotape that the production company provides about al Qaeda. In a publicized interview in 2003, Abi Osama stated: "We duplicate and edit the videotapes of the organization in special ways, and then send them to news channels, including Al-Jazeera, in response to orders issued to us." Possible Impact Based on the fact that this tape was done in English and in consideration of the curious method of delivery and direct route to the western media, there are a number of unanswered questions related directly to this production. It should be obvious that the tape was intended for consumption by the western media. The timing of its release in the few days before the elections also raises questions. Historically, the release of al Sahab videos through the "normal" channels have been followed by terrorist activities in other countries, including Iraq. Within 72 hours after al Sahab released the "Battle of Badr" video on January 29, 2004, for example, a double homicide bombing took place at the Kurdish Political Party Headquarters in northern Iraq, killing 101 people and wounding about 250 others. There is concern among intelligence officials that an al Qaeda broadcast, especially those from al Sahab, might be followed by new attacks. While there should indeed be an increased level of concern and vigilance here in the US, it is important to look at all western interests. Of particular concern in the days before the US elections would be a "mass casualty event" perpetrated on US troops in Iraq, designed to have a negative impact on the re-election of President Bush. _____ XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU OCT 28, 2004 17:02:35 ET XXXXX TERROR TAPE WARNS OF BUSH, CHENEY CONSEQUENCE **Exclusive** The CIA and FBI have authenticated a new al Qaeda videotape which warns of retribution for Americans electing Bush and Cheney. "What took place on September 11 was but the opening salvo of the global war on America and that our Lord willing, the magnitude and ferocity of what is coming your way will make you forget all about September 11," the man, whose face is covered by a headdress, <http://www.drudgereport.com/abct1.htm> warns in the video. "After decades of American tyranny, now it's your turn to die." The alarming tape which warns the next terror attack will dwarf 9/11. The CIA and FBI late Wednesday authenticated the tape, federal sources tell DRUDGE. ABCNEWS, which obtained the tape from a source in Pakistan, has been informed of the government's standing. A top goverment source said from Washington that ABC withheld the final 15 minutes of the tape from the feds -- the portion of the tape where the man warns of retribution for Americans electing Bush and Cheney. "The FBI did not see the last 15 mins," the source claims. ABC stongly denies the charge. MORE "You are guilty, guilty, guilty. You're as guilty as Bush and Cheney. You're as guilty as Rumsfeld and Ashcroft and Powell...," the man states. He goes on to warn of an upcoming horror: "The streets will run with blood," and "America will mourn in silence" because they will be unable to count the number of the dead. "People of America, that was the verdict now for the sentencing: as participants and partners in the crimes of the regime, you too shall pay the price for the blood that has been spilled." One ABC source, who demanded anonymity, said Thursday morning, the network was struggling to find a correct journalistic "balance" before airing any story on the video. "This is not something you just throw out there while people are voting," the ABC source explained. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. 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