Videos of bin Laden


There have been several videos released of Osama bin Laden (often spelled
"Usama", as it is in "the tape"), mostly as prepared propaganda tapes
released by Al-Qaida to Arabic media organisations such as Al-Jazeera. There
has been debate in some countries about the propaganda value of releasing
various tapes to the news media, due to concerns about incitement as well as
the alleged possibility of hidden messages to domestic terrorist cells. Some
countries broadcast the tapes in full, but others have not.

The United States government asked American news media not to air any of the
tapes that it believes would serve bin Laden's propaganda purposes. The
Pentagon, however, did release and urge the broadcast of one tape with its
own translation that supports their own claims concerning bin Laden's
involvement in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks that left nearly
3,000 dead. The news media within the US, although ostensibly independent,
has nevertheless complied with US government desires in this matter.

The United States had drawn controversy by releasing the tapes; some claim
that it is a doctored video that serves the United States' end, though no
one has offered any physical evidence that the tape is not genuine.

Tapes released by the US Government 13th December 2001

The US State department released, in a move criticized by some Arab groups,
some "home" video tapes on December 13th 2001. The State department claims
that the tapes are authentic and were found in Afghanistan. They show Osama
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.

Some critics of the United States have alleged that this tape was released
only because it is supportive of their claims that bin Laden was involved in
the attacks.

On the other hand, if this tape was actually found in Afghanistan, as the
U.S. claims, and bin Laden never intended it to be shown publicly, U.S.
concerns about hidden messages would not apply. Many people, including the
U.S. press, continue to be skeptical of the government's rationale for not
releasing other tapes, but few have questioned this tape's authenticity.

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, 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
"the 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.