Orginal Post Date: 1-25-10
Overview:
Osama Bin Laden, in a tape obtained by Al Jazeera on January 24, 2010, claimed responsibility for the failed bomb attack on a U.S. bound airliner on December 25, 2009.
On Christmas Day, Nigerian Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up his flight as it approached Detroit Metro Airport. But the explosive powder he was hiding in his underwear failed to detonate. He told federal agents he had been trained and given the explosives by an affiliate group of Al Qaeda in Yemen.
Throughout 2009, Osama Bin Laden's messages have concentrated on the situation of the Palestinians in attempt to rally support from Muslims around the world.
In the tape, Osama Bin Laden warns the U.S. that there will be more attacks unless there is a solution to the Palestinian crisis.
Audio:Osama Bin Laden claims he is behind Christmas attack.
Translated transcript of the audio:
In the name of God the most compassionate,
the most merciful. From Osama to Obama. May peace be on those who follow the light of guidance. If our messages to you could be carried
by words, we wouldn’t have done that by planes.
The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of Sept. 11.
The message is that America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine. It is unfair that you enjoy a safe life, while our brothers in Gaza suffer greatly. Therefore God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support for the Israelis continues. Peace be upon those who follow the light of guidance.
Analysis:
Osama Bin Laden can speak English. Although his message in the forward speech is in Arabic,
he is directing it towards President Obama and the American people. Perhaps this is a reason why his reverse speech occurs in English.
Osama
Bin Laden has stood for violent global jihad to right what he believes are injustices against Muslims perpetrated by the United States
as well as other non-Muslim states. He also wants the state of Israel to be eliminated.
There is not a universally accepted standard in the West for literal translation of Arabic words and names into English. It would appear that his call to action by killing of others, based upon his overall ideology, are incongruent with his true beliefs as indicated in the first example of his reverse speech. Since he is the head of Al-Qaeda, could this mean there may be a conflict within the organization on how to achieve its agenda?
May peace be on those who follow the light of guidance. If our messages to you could be carried
by words, we wouldn't have done that by planes.
It is unfair that you enjoy a safe life, while our brothers
in Gaza suffer greatly. Therefore God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support for the Israelis continues.
(Helot: One of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta; neither a slave nor a free citizen. The reversal occurs within the first sentence, which would seem to indicate he is congruent in supporting the Palestinians.)
