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Bin Laden Threatens, EU, Pope
In his latest broadcast, terror leader Osama bin Laden turned his attentions to the European Union, threatening "grave punishment" because of the images of Mohammed published in some newspapers. He said that Europe was involved in a "new crusade", in which the Pope and the Vatican "have a significant role."
His message, the first from the al-Qaeda leader since November, is timed to coincide with Mohammed's birthday, but it also marks the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
The message, broadcast on al-Qaeda's media network as-Sahab, includes an attack on President George Bush's "aggression" but concentrates its fire on the publication of the Mohammed caricatures, which originally appeared in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in 2005. More than fifty people died in riots and demonstrations which spread throughout the Muslim world in 2006 as other media groups republished the caricatures in a show of defiance against censorship.
"Your publications of these drawings, part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role, is a confirmation from you that the war continues," the message said. He warned "those who are intelligent in the European Union" that they were "testing Muslims ... the answer will be what you shall see and not what you hear."
He appeared to claim that the publication of the cartoons was a worse offence than the "bombing of modest villages that collapsed over our women children". He warned that the punishment would be "more severe."
Reuters quotes "anti-terror" exports who claim that the speech is "a clear threat against EU member countries and an indicator of a possible upcoming significant attack, however, it is unclear in exactly what timeframe it may occur." (Hmm. Do these guys get paid for this?)
Israeli experts, who have been on the sharp end of terrorism for longer than any of us, dismiss these claims as posturing:
"This kind of threat carries political, propaganda value, aimed to show that al-Qaeda is the keeper of the values of Islam" says Dr. Eli Carmon, a senior analyst in the International Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT).
"It is also most likely that he made the threat as a show of force, to remind everyone that he's still the one making policy."
Dr Carmon adds that bin Laden is trying to ride the current Islamic trend of onslaught against Christianity and the West. Other ITC researchers say that al-Qaeda is not capable of another 9/11 strike: His message is a psychological threat, coupled with assurance to his band of supporters. Indeed, he urges terror cells who are linked to al-Qaeda but not active members to rise and attack the west.
Nevertheless, threats like these must be taken seriously. Observers have reported a "buzz" on Islamist chatrooms calling for "revenge" against Europe for the publication of the Mohammed cartoons; Denmark recently arrested men it accused of plotting to kill one of the artists behind the drawings - not exactly a 9/11 style attack, but an assault on the west nonetheless. There are also fears for the safety of Pope Benedict XVI, who visits New York next month. The NYPD has said it is working with the secret services on a security detail for the Pontiff.
