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| Terror Networks |
| Ayman continues call for attacks on oil sites |
| 2006-01-08 |
| Al Qaeda's No. 2 in command, Ayman al-Zawahri, said in a videotape aired yesterday that the United States' decision to withdraw some troops from Iraq represented ''the victory of Islam" and called on Muslims to attack oil sites. Zawahri, wearing a white turban and gray robe and seated next to an automatic rifle, waved his finger for emphasis as he spoke in the 2-minute excerpt aired by Al-Jazeera. ''I congratulate [the Islamic nation] for the victory of Islam in Iraq," he said. Zawahri apparently was referring to comments last month by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who said President Bush had authorized new troop cuts below the 138,000 level that prevailed for most of last year. Rumsfeld did not reveal the exact size of the cut, but the Pentagon said the reductions would be about 7,000 troops. The Pentagon has not announced a timetable for the reductions, but indications are that the force could be cut significantly by the end of this year. ''You remember I told you more than a year ago that the American withdrawal from Iraq is only a matter of time, and here they are now . . . negotiating with the mujahideen," Zawahri said. ''Bush was forced at the end of last year to announce that he will pull out his forces from Iraq, but he was giving excuses for his withdrawal that the Iraqi forces have reached a good level." Bush has not offered concrete details about bringing troops home but said Wednesday that ''possible adjustments" would be discussed with Iraqi leaders if progress continued on security and political efforts. A US counterterrorism official, speaking on condition of anonymity in compliance with office policy, said that while the video appears to be authentic, it has not been determined with certainty that it is Zawahri. However, officials often note that no message has ever been fraudulently attributed to Al Qaeda's leadership. Zawahri said the American forces ''with their planes, missiles, tanks, and fleets are mourning and bleeding, seeking for a getaway from Iraq." ''Regarding your withdrawal timetable . . . you have to admit, Bush, that you have been defeated in Iraq and are being defeated in Afghanistan and will be defeated in Palestine," he said. In comments quoted on Al-Jazeera's website but not yet broadcast, Zawahri urged supporters to attack oil sites in Muslim countries. ''I call on mujahideen to focus their attacks on Muslims' embezzled oil. Most of its revenues go to the enemies of Islam; meanwhile most of what is left is taken by the thieves who are ruling our countries," he said. Al-Jazeera said the videotape was dated from December. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |