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| No active threat in bin Laden tape |
| 2004-10-31 |
| A top government counterterrorist official says the new videotape of Osama bin Laden appears to contain no specific threat but is aimed instead at showing al-Qaeda remains active and effective. John Brennan, director of the government's leading terror-threat analysis unit, the Terrorist Threat Integration Center, told reporters Saturday that bin Laden was likely attempting to "demonstrate that al-Qaeda, as an organization, is still effective, even though they have not, in fact, been able to do something here in the states." He said the admitted mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was seeking to justify the continued existence of al-Qaida. The Bush administration left the terror threat level unchanged, despite warning state and local officials that bin Laden's reemergence could portend a new terrorist attack. "We don't have to go to (code level) orange to take action in response either to these tapes or just general action to improve security around the country," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said. He urged Americans to go to the polls Election Day without undue concern. His words and appearance both seemed designed to convey a lack of alarm. Ridge's department and the FBI issued a memo late Friday to local and state officials, hours after a new videotape of bin Laden surfaced. "We remain concerned about al-Qaida's interest in attacking the American homeland, and we cannot discount the possibility that the video may be intended to promote violence or serve as a signal for an attack," it said. While Ridge sought to convey reassurance, he also said the government would strengthen anti-terrorism measures. Government officials also were scrutinizing a tape aired Thursday by ABC News in which a shrouded man claiming to be an American member of al-Qaida promised attacks that will make U.S. streets "run red with blood." The speaker identified himself as "Azzam the American." Brennan said investigators were looking "very closely" to see if the two new terror tapes were linked. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 Basically the tape encouraged US states to be Blue not Red. Similar to the 2 recorded messages I got from Bill Clinton today. This was not properly reported for some reason. Also, Binny seemed to be chaffing at the idea of being W's bitch and clearly has access to a bootleg DVD of Michael Moores latest. |
| Posted by: JAB 2004-10-31 8:35:29 PM |