Osama bin Laden released a new tape yesterday slamming the
EU and the
Pope over incendiary cartoons recently republished in Danish newspapers.
On the 5th anniversary of the Iraq war,
Bin Laden was ready to share some conspiracy theories about Western intentions in the Muslim world. "Your publications of these drawings -- part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role -- is a confirmation from you that the war continues," the Al Qaeda leader-in-hiding said in an audio message posted on the internet.
Ominously,
bin Laden implies their will be fresh attacks in Europe over the cartoons, one of which was recently republished in a Danish newspaper. Three men were recently arrested for plotting to kill the cartoonist who drew them.
A Reuters article about the message quotes an expert who describes it mostly as a "statement of intent," meaning bin Laden doesn't actually have the ability to
send anybody to attack Europe per se, but it's the top item on his to-do list. Another expert says that a message from
bin Laden won't prompt
EU nations to raise their threat levels; only intelligence about possible terrorist would make them do that.
