Audio recording reported to be that of Osama bin Laden

Overview: A voice reported to be that of Osama bin Laden calls on all Muslims to fight any U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

After students read "Alleged bin Laden tape calls for new violence" present the following:

Who is Osama bin Laden? Who has recently released an audiotape broadcast that reportedly is Osama bin Laden's voice? According to this story, what does the tape say?

What is your reaction to the news that Osama bin Laden allegedly has released this recording? If it is bin Laden, why do you think he would have wanted to release this message now? What do you think are his goals? According to reporter Elaine Quijano, his message called for Iraqis to fight, but was careful not to voice support for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Why do you think he chose to show support for Iraq but not for its leader?

Colin Powell stated, "This nexus between terrorist and states that are developing weapons of mass destruction can no longer be looked away from and ignored." What do you think he meant by this? Why do you think this tape significant, both for the U.S. case against Iraq and for the War on Terror?

According to CNN's transcriptions of the tape, the alleged voice of bin Ladin warns Arab countries against assisting the U.S. in any military action against Iraq: "Either if they fight next to them or give them support in any form or shape even by words if they help them to kill the Muslims in Iraq they have to know that they are outside this Islamic nation." He reportedly goes on to say, "We are following very carefully the preparation of crusaders to invade Muslim land and taking wealth of the Muslims to run you." What is your reaction to these words? What do you think is the intended outcome of using these particular words? Do you think the statements are effective? Why or why not?

Ask students to pretend that they are U.S. officials charged with the task of preparing White House spokesman Ari Fleisher for an upcoming press conference on the release of the tapes. Organize students into small groups. Using the resources below, have them read select sections of the audiotape and summarize the message in a few paragraphs. Then, instruct them to develop a list of potential questions that might be asked at the press conference. Students should not be expected to be able to answer the questions. After they present their summaries and questions to the class, students should generate a class list of questions, which students can follow as more information becomes available on the tapes-on the messenger and the message, and the impact those will have on the U.S. case against Iraq and on the War on Terror.