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Bin Laden taunts Obama for fighting two ‘hopeless wars’
14 Sep 2009A tape apparently made by Osama bin Laden said Barack Obama was “powerless” to stop the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The address, made on an Islamist website, lasted 11 minutes and was accompanied by a still image of the al Qaeda leader but no video.
It was entitled “a statement to the American people” and blamed the wars on the “pro-Israel lobby” and corporate interests.
The voice, believed to be Bin Laden, also spoke of how the conflict between al Qaeda and the US could end.
It said: “If you stop the war, then fine. Otherwise we will have no choice but to continue our war of attrition on every front ... If you choose safety and stopping wars, as opinion polls show you do, then we are ready to respond to this.”
The address comes two days after the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Bin Laden typically sends a message to the US around the anniversary.
The purpose of the address was “to remind America of the causes” of 9/11, chiefly its “support to Israeli allies who occupy our land of Palestine”. Bin Laden urged Americans to “liberate” themselves from the influence of neo-conservatives, saying: “You are waging a hopeless and losing war.”
Bin Laden argued against the claims that the war is necessary for American security, saying President Obama's White House officials were merely
following the strategy of former president George W Bush and former vice-president Dick Cheney to “promote the previous policies of fear to market the interests of big companies”.
When Mr Obama became president he retained many of the Bush administration's military leaders, such as defence secretary Robert Gates. Bin Laden said this proved “reasonable people knew that Obama is a powerless man who will not be able to end the war as he promised”.
Bin Laden, who is believed to be in hiding in the mountains on the Afghan-Pakistani border, last left a message in June, which said Mr Obama had planted the seeds of “revenge and hatred” towards the US in the Muslim world.
The president gave a speech in Cairo that month, calling for a “new beginning” in America's relationship with Muslims.
Reader views (8)
does Bin-laden mention Obama by name ? if so this would prove he was alive.
- Squiz, Islington, 30/09/2009 08:51
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I can't help but agree with what Bin Laden has to say. Obama is powerless and he is doing as he is told. Free speech in America is starting to disappear.
- Trisha Crawford, EAST CROYDON, 30/09/2009 07:51
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Time for some newspaper to re-print the Mohammed cartoons to keep their little terrorist minds occupied on something else.
- Thomas, London, 30/09/2009 07:51
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Ironically the majority of the killing of Muslims in both countries is carried out by Al Qaeda.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 30/09/2009 07:51
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These wars were started to protect Oligarchs that own & control Saudi Arabia. By owning 18% of America Inc gives them an unheralded bargaining point. Which will carry on until the NWO is fully implemented and UN army takes control.
- William, Hay~Heath UK, 30/09/2009 07:51
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Well,the man's got a point.
- Eddie, London, 30/09/2009 07:51
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It´s interesting to note that this latest video displays a still picture of bin Laden, not a live video, and the wording of the script is such that it could have been recorded at any time in the past. I honestly believe that bin Laden has been dead for some time. He knew he was dieing which is why he pre-recorded a number of "messages" for future release. This latest one is just one of them. I suspect Al Jazeera know the truth. Bin Laden no longer occupies pride of place on the front page of their website. He´s a much smaller entry these days, two-thirds the way down the page. Let´s not be lulled into any false sense of security though. Al Qaeda is far from being a spent force yet.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 30/09/2009 07:51
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More lies by our masters in the 'New World Order' to justify the slow eradication of our basic freedoms to make way for a one world government.
- Stephen, London, 30/09/2009 07:51
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