M A I N   N E W S

Osama talks about his death in new tape

London, February 13
A new recorded message from Osama bin Laden, which is expected to be broadcast in the next few days, has him talking about the kind of death he wants.

Obtained by The Daily Telegraph, the 53-minute recording is in possession of Al-Ansaar, a small news agency and bookshop in Birmingham.

Those who have heard the recording believe the voice is Bin Laden’s but it seems weakened by illness.

According to the English translation of the message, Bin Laden says, “Before I end, I incite myself and my believing brothers to jehad by the words — And most surely this year I will lead my steed and hurl it and my soul at one of the targets. So, O my Lord, if my demise has come, then let it not be upon a bier draped with green mantles. But let my grave be an eagle’s belly, its resting place in the sky’s atmosphere perched among eagles. And I become a martyr, dwelling amongst a band, attacked in a level mountain pass of the earth.”

His message is being taken as indicating his readiness to die in combat against the US forces — hence the reference to “an eagle’s belly”.

The central theme, like all previous recordings said to be sent by him, is that the USA and its “crusader” allies are determined about destroying Islam and taking over the Arab world.

He ends the recording by telling Muslim youth across the globe that jehad is a religious obligation.

Imran Khan of Al-Ansaar claimed that he made the tape public after a five-day verification process. He said the tape was given to it by a contact in the Gulf region after a lengthy e-mail correspondence.

A number of television channels are said to be negotiating for the right to broadcast the tape. UNI