04-15-2004, 03:22 PM
<font size="4">Purported Bin Laden 'Truce' Is Rejected</font>
By MOHAMED KHALIFA, Associated Press Writer
CAIRO, Egypt - A man identifying himself as Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) offered a "truce" to European countries that do not attack Muslims, saying it would begin when their soldiers leave Islamic nations, according to a recording broadcast Thursday on Arab satellite networks.
Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain quickly spurned what appeared to be an attempt to drive a wedge between Europe and America.
The tape, which ran in full at more than seven minutes, also vowed revenge against America for the Israeli assassination of Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin and denounced the United States as using the Iraq (news - web sites) war for corporate profiteering.
"I announce a truce with the European countries that do not attack Muslim countries," the taped message said as the stations showed an old, still picture of al-Qaida leader.
The message said "the door to a truce is open for three months," but the time frame could be extended. "The truce will begin when the last soldier leaves our countries," the speaker said without elaborating.
A CIA (news - web sites) spokesman said the agency was reviewing the tape to determine its authenticity.
the rest of the article is here.
By MOHAMED KHALIFA, Associated Press Writer
CAIRO, Egypt - A man identifying himself as Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) offered a "truce" to European countries that do not attack Muslims, saying it would begin when their soldiers leave Islamic nations, according to a recording broadcast Thursday on Arab satellite networks.
Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain quickly spurned what appeared to be an attempt to drive a wedge between Europe and America.
The tape, which ran in full at more than seven minutes, also vowed revenge against America for the Israeli assassination of Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin and denounced the United States as using the Iraq (news - web sites) war for corporate profiteering.
"I announce a truce with the European countries that do not attack Muslim countries," the taped message said as the stations showed an old, still picture of al-Qaida leader.
The message said "the door to a truce is open for three months," but the time frame could be extended. "The truce will begin when the last soldier leaves our countries," the speaker said without elaborating.
A CIA (news - web sites) spokesman said the agency was reviewing the tape to determine its authenticity.
the rest of the article is here.