Bin Laden Communiqué

An audio tape allegedly from Osama Bin Laden claims responsibility for the Christmas Day bombing attempt aboard an American flight, reiterates Palestine’s cause, and promises more attacks. “Osama Bin Laden has claimed responsibility for the failed attack on a US airliner on December 25 in a new audio tape. In the tape obtained by Al Jazeera, the world’s most wanted man warns Barack Obama, the US president, that there will be more attacks unless he finds a solution to the Palestinian crisis. The audio tape is believed to have been recorded last month. ‘The message I want to convey to you through the plane of the hero Omar Farouk [Abdulmutallab], reaffirms a previous message that the heroes of 9/11 conveyed to you. America will never dream of living in peace unless we live it in Palestine. It is unfair that you enjoy a safe life while our brothers in Gaza suffer greatly. Therefore, with God’s will, our attacks on you will continue as long as you continue to support Israel,’ bin Laden said. Al-Qaeda’s leader concluded: ‘If it was possible to carry our messages to you by words we wouldn’t have carried them to you by planes.’”