Reaction To The Video
President George W. Bush speaking from the APEC Summit in Sydney, Australia:
- The tape is a reminder of the dangerous world in which we live and it is a reminder that we must work together to protect our people.
- In the same speech:
- I found it interesting that on the tape Iraq was mentioned, which is a reminder that Iraq is part of the war against extremists. If Al-Qaeda bothers to mention Iraq, it's because they want to achieve their objectives in Iraq, which is to drive us out.
Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend speaking to Fox News Sunday:
- Remember, the last audiotape was in June of '06. The last video was just before the election in October of '04. This is about the best he can do. This is a man on the run, from a cave, who is virtually impotent other than these tapes.
Expert on Islamic issues Sliman Abu Rahman (based in Amman, Jordan) speaking to Al Jazeera:
- In his earlier speeches he offered them a truce and now he is asking them to convert. I think this is very far from reality and no political organizing with realistic political objectives can have such an unacceptable political discourse.
Former CIA analyst Michael Scheuer speaking to Wolf Blitzer, anchor of CNN's The Situation Room:
- Inherent in his request for us to convert (to Islam) is a very explicit threat that he is going to attack us in a very hard way. The prophet told Muslims before you attack anyone you warn them, offer them a chance to convert and offer them truces.
- Note: A full analysis of Osama bin Laden's video statement by Scheuer can be viewed at The Jamestown Foundation
Security analyst M.J. Gohel of the Asia-Pacific Foundation speaking to the Washington Post:
- This has the language and hallmarks of Adam Gadahn and is very reminiscent of his own messages in terms of style and content.
- Note: Gadahn is a US citizen who converted to Islam and is a media adviser for Al-Qaeda.
Read more about this topic: 2007 Osama Bin Laden Video
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