Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
April 18, 2008 By Associated Press
CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader claimed in an audiotape released today that five years of U.S. involvement in Iraq brought only defeat and said President Bush will be forced to pass the problem to his successor.
Ayman al-Zawahri alleged that by heeding advice of his top commanders in Iraq and guaranteeing a heavy American military presence after July, Bush was "covering up for the failure" of his Iraq policies.
"If the American forces leave, they will lose everything. And if they stay, they will bleed to death," he argued.
The authenticity of the 16-minute recording, posted on a Web site known for militant messaging, could not be independently verified. But it carried the logo of al-Qaida's media wing and was the second this month attributed to the terror network's chief strategist.
He called for Muslim support of jihad in Iraq and for backing Qaida's affiliate there, the so-called Islamic State of Iraq.
Zawahri also blasted Sunni fighters who switched sides and joined the U.S. push to pacify Sunni areas of Iraq, the so-called Awakening Councils.
"Weren't these Awakening (Councils) supposed to hasten the departure of the American forces or are these Awakenings in need of someone to defend them and protect them," Zawahri asked.
April 18, 2008 By Associated Press
CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader claimed in an audiotape released today that five years of U.S. involvement in Iraq brought only defeat and said President Bush will be forced to pass the problem to his successor.
Ayman al-Zawahri alleged that by heeding advice of his top commanders in Iraq and guaranteeing a heavy American military presence after July, Bush was "covering up for the failure" of his Iraq policies.
"If the American forces leave, they will lose everything. And if they stay, they will bleed to death," he argued.
The authenticity of the 16-minute recording, posted on a Web site known for militant messaging, could not be independently verified. But it carried the logo of al-Qaida's media wing and was the second this month attributed to the terror network's chief strategist.
He called for Muslim support of jihad in Iraq and for backing Qaida's affiliate there, the so-called Islamic State of Iraq.
Zawahri also blasted Sunni fighters who switched sides and joined the U.S. push to pacify Sunni areas of Iraq, the so-called Awakening Councils.
"Weren't these Awakening (Councils) supposed to hasten the departure of the American forces or are these Awakenings in need of someone to defend them and protect them," Zawahri asked.