« There is no crying in tennis [Dave in Texas] |
Main
|
AQ#2 Captured In Iraq; Gives Up Other Terrorists »
September 03, 2006
al Qaeda Reaches Out, and CNN's Nic Robertson is There

Osama bin Laden's deputy appears in a new video posted on the Internet a short while ago. Nic Robertson joins us now from Islamabad, Pakistan. What do you know about this tape, Nic?

Well, we do know the young American who introduces Ayman el-Zawahiri likes to be known as Azzam the American. He is, in fact, known as Adam Gadahn.

On the tape he says: "This is an invitation to Americans and all non-believers to convert to Islam." He very quickly hands over the message to Ayman el-Zawahiri.

The message from Ayman el-Zawahiri follows on from Gadahn, saying that this is a message to Americans and all other Westerners, an opportunity to convert to Islam.

You know, Fredericka, this might be an effort by al Qaeda to reach out to the West.

You think al Qaeda wants to reach out to the West?

Just sayin'.

I'm not following you.

Well, you know, uh...Adam Gadahn speaks English.

And?

And, he, uh...they, uh...

And, I guess it could be that what they might possibly be doing here is maybe offering the opportunity for people to possibly convert to Islam, and perhaps this is something that they might see as an important thing that they should maybe do...

Possibly. It's kind of complicated.

I still don't see how that could be considered reaching out to...

Look, we might not agree with these guys, but they did say, "Either repent your misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself," so it sounds like they're basically saying they'll leave us alone if we leave them alone. I mean, it's not like they're tring to force anyone to convert.

Actually, they said "Either repent your misguided ways and enter into the light of truth or keep your poison to yourself and suffer the consequences in this world and the next."

They did?

Yes, they did. You're in Islamabad right now, Nic, do you have any sense of...Nic?


It looks like we're experiencing some technical difficulties, so...

Sorry, Fredericka, I was, uh...adjusting my microphone.

...

What was the question?

What is that you're wearing?

What, this old thing?

Isn't that a...

Look, it's a little chilly out here, and Allah forbid I should catch a cold.

I'm sorry, I've just never seen a man wearing...

What is this, Project Runway? What was the question?

Right. Sorry - so, do we know whether these recorded messages from these two men were taken at the same time?

Fredericka, the only time reference we have heard so far is...

OK, what is that over your face? And don't tell me it's cold.

I'd explain it, but you obviously have a lot to learn about modesty.

What's that supposed to mean?

Oh, come on - you're on television and you're practically nude!

Nic Robertson, reporting live from...

Not that I noticed!

...reporting live from Islamabad.
Looks like he got the invitation.

posted by John From WuzzaDem at
10:19 PM
|
Access Comments