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Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi=imanual Goldstein
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Fri Apr 29, 2005 @ 4:19pm |
 Coolness: 145915 | CNN) -- Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the wanted terror mastermind who has claimed responsibility for killings and kidnappings in Iraq, apparently has issued an audio message urging his followers to keep up the heat on U.S.-led forces in Iraq with attacks on convoys and at checkpoints.
"Dear brothers, be patient, it is only a matter of a few days and you will be the ultimate winners, either by way of martyrdom or victory," according to an 18-minute speech posted on two Islamic Web sites. While there is no confirmation that the voice is al-Zarqawi's, journalists familiar with previous messages from him said it sounded authentic. The tape apparently was made a few weeks ago because the speaker mentions a Washington Post article published March 19 and says it was published this month. The words were meant for "fighters in the land of the two rivers" and the speaker exhorted them to keep up the resistance that began in March 2003, when the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq began. "God has granted you the blessing of having two years of jihad and you have given generously. I ask you to observe God in your religion, jihad and the blood and dignity of your brothers and sisters," the speaker said. Referring to the U.S.-led forces, the voice said, "now that two years have passed since the fall of Baghdad in the hands of the crusaders, they have gained nothing but disgrace and insults." Much of the speech is filled with quotes from the Koran, but the speaker also addresses a message to President Bush, whom he calls "the dog of the Romans." "We vow to God you will never reach a decision and your military forces will never feel at peace until we reach our target and as long as we have blood in our veins and our hearts are still beating," the message said in a remark directed at Bush. "We are coming to you, God willing." The speaker contended that the "enemy" is trying to establish a dialogue with the "mujahedeen," but he called this "the trick of satan." "What made them announce that the door to dialogue with the resistance should be open? Your jihad and resilience." He urged insurgents to shun weakness and complacency and to avoid being fooled by the news media. He reminded his listeners that the "enemy" violated "sisters" and "mothers" and performed acts to humiliate the people. The speaker criticized the "voices of the scholars of the market" who only seem to condemn the mujahedeen. "Where are they to protect the dignity of the Muslim ladies?" The commander of the U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division, speaking to CNN from Camp Liberty in Baghdad, said the message is a sign of desperation among the insurgents. "We know that Zarqawi posts these messages on a regular basis and we know that he wants to step up the attacks and I think it's out of desperation," said Maj. Gen. William Webster. To al-Zarqawi followers, the message said, "let your swords be full of the crusader's blood." "And you martyrs, go ahead with the blessing of God, don't let any of their convoys go further," the message said. -- Senior editor for Arab affairs Octavia Nasr and [ CNN.com ] Arabic's Caroline Faraj contributed to this report |
Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi=imanual Goldstein
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