Excerpts from bin Laden video address to US people
07 Sep 2007 22:38:33 GMT Source: Reuters
(Adds excerpts) Sept 7 (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden said in a video issued ahead of the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks that the United States was vulnerable despite its economic and military power. It was not clear when the tape, acquired by Reuters Television from a Web trawler in Europe, was made. Following are excerpts of bin Laden's remarks addressing the American people based on portions of the video seen by Reuters and a transcript issued by U.S. Defense Department officials: "Despite America being the greatest economic power and possessing the most powerful and modern military arsenal, and despite it spending on this war and its army more than the entire world spends on its armies and being the major state influencing the world's policies as if it has a monopoly on the unjust right of veto ... 19 young men were able ... to change the direction of its compass." "The subject of the mujahideen has become an inseparable part of the speech of your leader and the effects and signs are not hidden. Since the 11th, many of America's policies have come under the influence of the mujahideen." "People of America: the world is following your news in regards to your invasion of Iraq, for people have recently come to know that ... the vast majority of you want it stopped." "So in answer to the question about the causes of the Democrats' failure to stop the war, I say: they are the same reasons which led to the failure of former president (John F.) Kennedy to stop the Vietnam war. Those with real power and influence are those with the most capital." "And since the democratic system permits major corporations to back candidates ... there shouldn't be any cause for astonishment ... in the Democrats' failure to stop the war." "After the failure of your representatives in the Democratic Party to implement your desire to stop the war, you can still carry anti-war placards and spread out in the streets of major cities ... but that will be no use and will lead to the prolonging of the war." "The mistakes of (Soviet leader Leonid) Brezhnev are being repeated by (President George W.) Bush, who -- when asked about the date of his withdrawing of force from Iraq -- said in effect that the withdrawal will not be during his reign, but rather, during the reign of the one who succeeds him. And the significance of these words is not hidden." "Iraq and Afghanistan ... and the reeling of many of you under the burden of interest-related debts, insane taxes and real-estate mortgages; global warming and its woes; and the abject poverty and tragic hunger in Africa: all of this is but one side of the grim face of this global system." "Despite this brazen attack on the people, the leaders of the West -- especially Bush, (former British prime minister Tony) Blair, (French President Nicolas) Sarkozy and (new British Prime Minister Gordon) Brown still talk about freedom and human rights..." "To conclude, I invite you to embrace Islam, for the greatest mistake one can make in this world .... is to die without surrendering to Allah."
