Videos and audio recordings of Osama bin Laden: Difference between revisions
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The [[United States State Department]] released, in a move criticized by some [[Arab]] groups, some video tapes of Osama bin Laden on [[December 13]], [[2001]]. The State Department claims that the tapes are authentic and were found in [[Afghanistan]]. The tapes show bin Laden and implicate him in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. In the tape Osama bin Laden displays in-depth knowledge of the attack, although only knowing the timing of the actual attack a few days in advance. |
The [[United States State Department]] released, in a move criticized by some [[Arab]] groups, some video tapes of Osama bin Laden on [[December 13]], [[2001]]. The State Department claims that the tapes are authentic and were found in [[Afghanistan]]. The tapes show bin Laden and implicate him in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. In the tape Osama bin Laden displays in-depth knowledge of the attack, although only knowing the timing of the actual attack a few days in advance. |
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The United States had drawn controversy by releasing the tapes; some critics have alleged that this tape was released only because it is supportive of their claims that bin Laden was involved in the attacks. [[Michael Rivero]], on his website [[What Really Happened|whatreallyhappaend.com]], claims that it is a doctored video, although no one has offered any physical proof of this. According to Rivero, the film is a dramatization. His argument is based on his comparison of the face of Osama bin Laden to the face of the man represented as him in the video. He claims that the nose of the real bin Laden is longer than the nose of the man in the video as it appears in some frames. Rivero also claims that the man in the video seems somewhat portly compared to previously seen images of bin Laden, [http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/osamatape.html] and that there are factual errors in the video: The first he says is that the FBI's description of Bin Laden included that he is left-handed[http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/topten/fugitives/laden.htm], yet the video shows him writing with his right hand. Rivero also claims that in the video, Bin Laden is wearing a gold ring and a watch in violation of [[Islamic Law]]. |
The United States had drawn controversy by releasing the tapes; some critics have alleged that this tape was released only because it is supportive of their claims that bin Laden was involved in the attacks. [[Michael Rivero]], on his website [[What Really Happened|whatreallyhappaend.com]], claims that it is a doctored video, although no one has offered any physical proof of this. According to Rivero, the film is a dramatization. His argument is based on his comparison of the face of Osama bin Laden to the face of the man represented as him in the video. He claims that the nose of the real bin Laden is longer than the nose of the man in the video as it appears in some poorly rendered frames. Rivero also claims that the man in the video seems somewhat portly compared to previously seen images of bin Laden, [http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/osamatape.html] and that there are factual errors in the video: The first he says is that the FBI's description of Bin Laden included that he is left-handed[http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/topten/fugitives/laden.htm], yet the video shows him writing with his right hand. Rivero also claims that in the video, Bin Laden is wearing a gold ring and a watch in violation of [[Islamic Law]]. Nonetheless, this claim is patently invalid as numerous other videos show Bin Laden wearing a golden colored ring [http://www.911myths.com/html/bin_ladin_and_the_ring.html]. |
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The events regarding the acquisition of the tape are not clear, but apparently it was obtained through some means from a guest house in [[Kandahar]], and was supposedly filmed [[November 9]]th, or thereabout. |
The events regarding the acquisition of the tape are not clear, but apparently it was obtained through some means from a guest house in [[Kandahar]], and was supposedly filmed [[November 9]]th, or thereabout. |
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Revision as of 08:06, 28 March 2006
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Videos of Osama bin Laden have included Osama bin Laden in several different ways. Sometimes he will be addressing the camera and world audience directly while reading from a prepared statement. Other times he will be present but not the central figure as he appears alongside other speakers. Further, he even appears in videos being interviewed by journalists, such as ABC News' John Miller. Osama bin Laden as well as some of his allies have also appeared on audiotapes.
About the tapes
There have been several videos released of Osama bin Laden. Most of these were released by Al-Qaeda to Arab media organisations, such as Al Jazeera, as prepared propaganda tapes. There has been debate in some countries about the propaganda value of these tapes. There are concerns about incitement as well as the alleged possibility of hidden messages to terrorist cells in other countries. As a result, some countries broadcast the tapes in full, while others have not.
Propaganda or hidden messages?
The United States government asked American news media not to air tapes that might serve bin Laden's propaganda purposes. The Pentagon, however, did release and urge the broadcast of one tape (with Pentagon translation) that supports claims concerning bin Laden's involvement in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Tapes released by the U.S. government
The United States State Department released, in a move criticized by some Arab groups, some video tapes of Osama bin Laden on December 13, 2001. The State Department claims that the tapes are authentic and were found in Afghanistan. The tapes show bin Laden and implicate him in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. In the tape Osama bin Laden displays in-depth knowledge of the attack, although only knowing the timing of the actual attack a few days in advance.
The United States had drawn controversy by releasing the tapes; some critics have alleged that this tape was released only because it is supportive of their claims that bin Laden was involved in the attacks. Michael Rivero, on his website whatreallyhappaend.com, claims that it is a doctored video, although no one has offered any physical proof of this. According to Rivero, the film is a dramatization. His argument is based on his comparison of the face of Osama bin Laden to the face of the man represented as him in the video. He claims that the nose of the real bin Laden is longer than the nose of the man in the video as it appears in some poorly rendered frames. Rivero also claims that the man in the video seems somewhat portly compared to previously seen images of bin Laden, [1] and that there are factual errors in the video: The first he says is that the FBI's description of Bin Laden included that he is left-handed[2], yet the video shows him writing with his right hand. Rivero also claims that in the video, Bin Laden is wearing a gold ring and a watch in violation of Islamic Law. Nonetheless, this claim is patently invalid as numerous other videos show Bin Laden wearing a golden colored ring [3].
The events regarding the acquisition of the tape are not clear, but apparently it was obtained through some means from a guest house in Kandahar, and was supposedly filmed November 9th, or thereabout.
After the tape was released, United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "How could there be a doubt in anyone's mind any longer about what we have said from the very, very beginning, that he was the mastermind, he is the head of an organization that participates in this kind of evil activity?" President George W. Bush said it proved bin Laden "has no conscience and no soul".
The U.S. government and many people worldwide were anxiously awaiting the response to the tape's release in the Arab world. The U.S. had hoped it would finally prove bin Laden's guilt beyond dispute.
Ali Abunimah, vice president of the Arab-American Action Network, said that "[t]he tape should dispel any remaining doubt that bin Laden is an evil villain and responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks. Most serious people didn't need this tape to be convinced. The tapes that had already been released [by bin Laden] made it clear since he all but took responsibility for the attacks." Viewers of Al-Jazeera seemed unconvinced, at least one saying that bin Laden could have just been bragging to impress his host.
Tape released by Al Jazeera
Many of the Osama bin Laden tapes have been released directly (by mail or messenger) to Arabic language satellite television networks like Al Jazeera or Al Araabiya.
Main article: 2004 bin Laden video
On 29 October 2004, Arab television network Al Jazeera broadcast a video tape, 18 minutes in length, of Osama bin Laden, addressing citizens of the United States, in which he claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks. The release of the tape was reportedly timed to come just four days before the 2004 U.S. presidential election. [4]
Main article: 2006 Osama bin Laden tape
On 19 January 2006, Al Jazeera broadcast an audiotape of Osama bin Laden again addressing citizens of the United States [5].
See also
- Osama bin Laden's Declaration of War
- Osama bin Laden Fatwa
- Text of 2004 Osama bin Laden *videotape at Wikisource
- 2004 Osama bin Laden video
- 2006 Osama bin Laden tape
- Osama tapes
- Responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks
References
- "Bin Laden Re-emerges, Warning U.S. While Offering 'Truce'" by Hassan Fattah and Douglas Jehl, The New York Times, retrieved January 19, 2006