|
UNITED STATES
Bin Laden addresses Americans
|
Osama bin Laden in a videotape broadcast
|
Four days before the presidential election, Osama bin Laden appeared on a videotape broadcast worldwide Oct. 29, admitting a central role in the Sept. 11 terror attacks and telling Americans they can save themselves from future violence by not supporting a crackdown on his al-Qaeda network and persecution of Muslims.
Appearing healthy and looking directly into the camera, bin Laden says on the tape that neither President George W. Bush nor Democratic rival John Kerry holds the keys to American security. "Oh, American people, I am speaking to tell you about the ideal way to avoid another Manhattan. . . . Your security is in your hands, and each state that does not harm our security will remain safe."
"I am surprised by you," bin Laden says. "Despite entering the fourth year after Sept. 11, Bush is still deceiving you and hiding the truth from you, and therefore the reasons are still there to repeat what happened."
The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 6, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
|