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CNN Live Saturday

Alleged New Osama bin Laden Tape Released

Aired October 18, 2003 - 12:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: The Arabic TV news network Al-Jazeera is reporting what it claims is a couple of new audiotapes from Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda Leader. The network says that Osama bin Laden is advising the United States to leave Iraq on the audiotape. CNN is examining the tape right now, trying to determine its authenticity, and we'll not air it until that happens.
Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is standing by in London. I understand that you and some of our colleagues have been reviewing this audiotape. Any idea whether or not it's him?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The first analysis appears that it may be. It certainly does appear to sound like previous recordings that have been attributed to him. There are several things we've noted about the tape so far. One is the quality sounds good. But also, the person, if it is Osama bin Laden, appears at times to falter, to slow down, his voice sounds weak. Now, we noticed a similar type of pattern of speech in a tape he released about a month and a half ago where he spoke with his deputy. The videotape was released at the same time. The message this time, two separate distinct messages delivered here.

One to the people of the United States, telling them their administration was lying, telling them their administration was going around the world trying to get support in Iraq, trying to bring mercenaries into Iraq to support their position in Iraq. He went on to say the United States would be attacked at a time and place of al Qaeda's choosing. That suicide missions would take place inside and outside of the United States. And also that the United States' key allies in the coalition in Iraq, that is Britain, Australia, Poland, Italy, and Spain, were also prime for attack.

The message to the Iraqi people was a message that the jihad, that the fight against the United States, was the only effective way to fight this, what he described as a crusader force. He said they were being effective. That they were inflicting casualties upon the United States. He described the United States as being in a plight in Iraq. Being in a bad situation inside Iraq. Even describing the situation for the United States as a quagmire, saying the United States had come to Iraq thinking it would be easy to control the oil assets and that was not proving to be the case. The overriding message from Osama bin Laden, if it was him, that is the United States and its allies will be attack around the world and the people of Iraq should continue their attacks against the U.S.-led coalition inside Iraq -- Andrea. KOPPEL: Nic, as you mentioned at the outset, the last time Osama bin laden's believed to have released a tape along with his deputy was just last month. What would the significance be of a new audiotape?

ROBERTSON: Well, when listening to this audiotape, one of the key things to listen for, and perhaps references that may date it. He seemed to make a reference to the last Palestinian prime minister, an indication that perhaps this was recorded maybe a month or so ago. In comparison to previous messages, much of the rhetoric remains the same. That the coalition is a crusade. That Iraqis should rise up and fight it. Very specific in this message that appeared to be different perhaps than others, that targeting Britain, Poland, Italy, Spain, Australia, the coalition allies inside Iraq at this time. That the very tone of it, the very nature, very similar to the last message -- Andrea.

KOPPEL: Is there anything that would be noteworthy beyond the fact that certainly what U.S. officials would be listening into, the fact that he would have made the tape recently? That is, he's still alive.

Is there any other significance beyond that, in -- Nic

ROBERTSON: Well, I think the other significance is obviously that he continues to push his message, and the message is to destabilize the United States and its coalition partners inside Iraq. He is showing here he is able to reach out to his supporters and continue that message. So in that vein, it is significant. Because if people do listen to him, and perhaps there's evidence to support that, then it becomes another destabilizing factor in the situation in Iraq. When the United States and their allies around the world are trying very much to bring stability to that country at this time -- Andrea.

KOPPEL: The last time there was a tape just before 9/11, we know there was video but most experts believe the video that we saw of Ayman Al Zawahir and bin Laden walking was recorded some months back, perhaps even, you know, as long as a year or two ago.

Why does Osama bin Laden, if again this tape is authentic dated, why does he continue to release audiotapes?

What do most experts believe that you've been speaking with?

ROBERTSON: This is perhaps the only effective way that he has at this time of trying to garner support for his cause, his aims, and his objectives, which is, in his view, to remove the influence of the United States from the Middle East in its broadest possible sense. The presence of troops, the presence of future political influence as well. If Osama bin Laden is hiding out on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as is widely believed, that he is doing so most of the time incommunicado. These audio tape messages are perhaps his primary way at this time of reaching a wider, widest possible audience. All those he thinks might be keen to hear his message and join the fight that he wants to lead. KOPPEL: A new audio, again, if in fact this audiotape is authenticated, which CNN has yet to do. But a new audience in this tape that bin Laden appears to be reaching out to is the American public. I realize, Nic, you've only just heard the tape.

Have you been able to do any analysis to say perhaps why, of all audiences around the world, bin Laden would be trying to appeal to the American public?

ROBERTSON: Well, perhaps he realizes that there's a -- there are keen political sensitivities at this time in the United States as to how the U.S.-led coalition is faring in Iraq and its objective to bring democracy and stability and rebuild the nation inside Iraq. Perhaps he realizes that perhaps by undermining if he can in some way the political ground underneath his current administration, he referred specifically to this administration as lying. That if he can undermine the political ground underneath President Bush and the administration, then he will further his cause there. Because perhaps that will weaken their resolve to remain in Iraq. It's a two-pronged attack if you will, trying to encourage the people of the United States to get the United States administration to pull their troops out of Iraq, and at the same time, encourage Iraqis and others to join the fight against them on the ground there. So it would seem to be attacking what he sees as the problem from both angles, if you will -- Andrea.

KOPPEL: It would be interesting if we knew Osama bin Laden was watching the polls coming out of the United States. And Nic Robertson, I know you're going to continue to get back to that tape and talk to folks to see whether or not in fact it is the real Mccoy. Thanks so much for joining us from London.

CNN will of course continue to update you on the authenticity of those audiotapes and bring you the very latest if we do in fact determine that it is a new tape from Osama bin Laden.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired October 18, 2003 - 12:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: The Arabic TV news network Al-Jazeera is reporting what it claims is a couple of new audiotapes from Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda Leader. The network says that Osama bin Laden is advising the United States to leave Iraq on the audiotape. CNN is examining the tape right now, trying to determine its authenticity, and we'll not air it until that happens.
Our senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is standing by in London. I understand that you and some of our colleagues have been reviewing this audiotape. Any idea whether or not it's him?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The first analysis appears that it may be. It certainly does appear to sound like previous recordings that have been attributed to him. There are several things we've noted about the tape so far. One is the quality sounds good. But also, the person, if it is Osama bin Laden, appears at times to falter, to slow down, his voice sounds weak. Now, we noticed a similar type of pattern of speech in a tape he released about a month and a half ago where he spoke with his deputy. The videotape was released at the same time. The message this time, two separate distinct messages delivered here.

One to the people of the United States, telling them their administration was lying, telling them their administration was going around the world trying to get support in Iraq, trying to bring mercenaries into Iraq to support their position in Iraq. He went on to say the United States would be attacked at a time and place of al Qaeda's choosing. That suicide missions would take place inside and outside of the United States. And also that the United States' key allies in the coalition in Iraq, that is Britain, Australia, Poland, Italy, and Spain, were also prime for attack.

The message to the Iraqi people was a message that the jihad, that the fight against the United States, was the only effective way to fight this, what he described as a crusader force. He said they were being effective. That they were inflicting casualties upon the United States. He described the United States as being in a plight in Iraq. Being in a bad situation inside Iraq. Even describing the situation for the United States as a quagmire, saying the United States had come to Iraq thinking it would be easy to control the oil assets and that was not proving to be the case. The overriding message from Osama bin Laden, if it was him, that is the United States and its allies will be attack around the world and the people of Iraq should continue their attacks against the U.S.-led coalition inside Iraq -- Andrea. KOPPEL: Nic, as you mentioned at the outset, the last time Osama bin laden's believed to have released a tape along with his deputy was just last month. What would the significance be of a new audiotape?

ROBERTSON: Well, when listening to this audiotape, one of the key things to listen for, and perhaps references that may date it. He seemed to make a reference to the last Palestinian prime minister, an indication that perhaps this was recorded maybe a month or so ago. In comparison to previous messages, much of the rhetoric remains the same. That the coalition is a crusade. That Iraqis should rise up and fight it. Very specific in this message that appeared to be different perhaps than others, that targeting Britain, Poland, Italy, Spain, Australia, the coalition allies inside Iraq at this time. That the very tone of it, the very nature, very similar to the last message -- Andrea.

KOPPEL: Is there anything that would be noteworthy beyond the fact that certainly what U.S. officials would be listening into, the fact that he would have made the tape recently? That is, he's still alive.

Is there any other significance beyond that, in -- Nic

ROBERTSON: Well, I think the other significance is obviously that he continues to push his message, and the message is to destabilize the United States and its coalition partners inside Iraq. He is showing here he is able to reach out to his supporters and continue that message. So in that vein, it is significant. Because if people do listen to him, and perhaps there's evidence to support that, then it becomes another destabilizing factor in the situation in Iraq. When the United States and their allies around the world are trying very much to bring stability to that country at this time -- Andrea.

KOPPEL: The last time there was a tape just before 9/11, we know there was video but most experts believe the video that we saw of Ayman Al Zawahir and bin Laden walking was recorded some months back, perhaps even, you know, as long as a year or two ago.

Why does Osama bin Laden, if again this tape is authentic dated, why does he continue to release audiotapes?

What do most experts believe that you've been speaking with?

ROBERTSON: This is perhaps the only effective way that he has at this time of trying to garner support for his cause, his aims, and his objectives, which is, in his view, to remove the influence of the United States from the Middle East in its broadest possible sense. The presence of troops, the presence of future political influence as well. If Osama bin Laden is hiding out on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as is widely believed, that he is doing so most of the time incommunicado. These audio tape messages are perhaps his primary way at this time of reaching a wider, widest possible audience. All those he thinks might be keen to hear his message and join the fight that he wants to lead. KOPPEL: A new audio, again, if in fact this audiotape is authenticated, which CNN has yet to do. But a new audience in this tape that bin Laden appears to be reaching out to is the American public. I realize, Nic, you've only just heard the tape.

Have you been able to do any analysis to say perhaps why, of all audiences around the world, bin Laden would be trying to appeal to the American public?

ROBERTSON: Well, perhaps he realizes that there's a -- there are keen political sensitivities at this time in the United States as to how the U.S.-led coalition is faring in Iraq and its objective to bring democracy and stability and rebuild the nation inside Iraq. Perhaps he realizes that perhaps by undermining if he can in some way the political ground underneath his current administration, he referred specifically to this administration as lying. That if he can undermine the political ground underneath President Bush and the administration, then he will further his cause there. Because perhaps that will weaken their resolve to remain in Iraq. It's a two-pronged attack if you will, trying to encourage the people of the United States to get the United States administration to pull their troops out of Iraq, and at the same time, encourage Iraqis and others to join the fight against them on the ground there. So it would seem to be attacking what he sees as the problem from both angles, if you will -- Andrea.

KOPPEL: It would be interesting if we knew Osama bin Laden was watching the polls coming out of the United States. And Nic Robertson, I know you're going to continue to get back to that tape and talk to folks to see whether or not in fact it is the real Mccoy. Thanks so much for joining us from London.

CNN will of course continue to update you on the authenticity of those audiotapes and bring you the very latest if we do in fact determine that it is a new tape from Osama bin Laden.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com