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U.S., UK investigate 'bomber tape'
SPECIAL REPORTYOUR E-MAIL ALERTS(CNN) -- British and U.S. officials are investigating a video broadcast on Al-Jazeera that the Arabic-language TV channel said was one of the four London suicide bombers claiming responsibility for the July 7 attack. "We're looking at the tape, and it will form part of our investigation," said a spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police, which is leading the investigation into the bombings on London's transportation system that killed 52 people and the four bombers. Al-Jazeera said the video was of Mohammed Siddiq Khan. The London police spokesman conceded the man in the video looks like Khan but that additional steps needed to be taken to confirm the tape's authenticity. Scotland Yard received the tape Thursday night and is investigating whether the voice is indeed Khan's, hoping to compare it to existing recordings of his voice -- such as in voice mail messages -- and seeking out witnesses who knew Khan and can assess whether it sounds like him. Scotland Yard also is studying the editing of the tape, especially how portions featuring Khan and al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri are spliced together. U.S. officials said the CIA will conduct a technical and textual analysis of the tape. One U.S. official said it is "not insignificant" that the tape includes both al-Zawahiri and apparently one of the London bombers, but the official cautioned against assuming it shows that al Qaeda was behind the London attacks. "It may be effective propaganda, but it is not proof they planned and directed the attacks," the official said, adding that the London attacks were "clearly inspired by al Qaeda ideology, but that is a different thing." In broadcasting the video Thursday night, Al-Jazeera did not say how it received the tape. "On the video, Mohammed Siddiq, one the men responsible for the bombings, gives his testimony and explains the reasons behind his action and blames Western citizens and holds them responsible for the bombings in London, Madrid and 9/11, because they elect governments that commit crimes against humanity," the Al-Jazeera anchor said. The video shows a bearded man who looks similar to the man authorities have identified in photographs as Khan. In the tape, the man -- who is seated and appears to be in his late 20s or 30s -- addresses the camera in English without notes: "I'm going to keep this short, because it's all been said before," he says. "And our words have no impact upon you. Therefore, I am going to talk in a language that you understand. Our words are dead until we give them life with our blood. "I'm sure by now the media has painted a suitable picture of me. Its predictable propaganda machine, naturally, will try to put a spin on things to suit the government and to scare the masses and to conform to their power and wealth-obsessed agendas. "I and thousands like me have forsaken everything for what we believe. Our driving motivation doesn't come from tangible commodities that this world has to offer. Our religion is Islam, obedience to the one true god, Allah, and follow in the footsteps of the final prophet and messenger, Mohammed." The man then launched into what might be interpreted as a defense of the attacks: "Your democratically elected governments continuously perpetuate atrocities against my people all over the world and your support of them makes you directly responsible, just as I am directly responsible for protecting and avenging my Muslim brothers and sisters. "Until we feel secure, you will be our targets, and until you stop the bombing, gassing, imprisonment and torture of my people, we will not stop this fight. We are at war, and I am a soldier. Now, you too will taste the reality of this situation." The man then listed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, its No. 2 man Ayman al-Zawahiri and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, as "today's heroes" and told viewers it was up to them to accept his work as he prepares to "enter the gardens of paradise." The Al-Jazeera anchor said the comments were part of a "much longer tape." Comments from al-Zawahiri followed, in which he claims direct responsibility for the London bombings. "I talk to you today about the holy attack on London, which came as a slap in the face of the arrogant British crusaders," he said, in Arabic. "Now you can taste a sip from the glass Muslims have drunk from for centuries. This attack adds to the attacks before in Washington, New York and Madrid. We have moved the battle to the land of the enemy after they battled us in our land for so long. "After centuries of invading our land and occupying it ... this is for you to taste some of what you have made us taste before." He added, "Didn't the lion of Islam the Mujahid, the sheikh Osama bin Laden, offer you a truce?... Look what your arrogance has produced." "We have warned you over and over again. We repeat the warning. ... We will erupt volcanoes of hatred in their countries." Following those comments, a highly produced montage of video showed scenes from the London attacks and those in other parts of the world, including Chechnya and Iraq. The tape carries the logo of the Al-Sahab Production Company, which produced videotapes made by the 9/11 bombers. London Police Commissioner Ian Blair has said from the beginning of the probe that the coordinated, nearly simultaneous, backpack suicide bombings on three underground trains and a bus bore the hallmarks of an al Qaeda attack. The homemade bombs, made with peroxide-based chemicals and detonated with cell phones, killed 52 commuters and the four bombers. Investigators have previously told CNN they had not found direct links between the bombs or terrorists involved in July 7 attacks and the failed attempt to copy them on July 21. CNN Senior Producer Phil Hirschkorn and National Security Correspondent David Ensor contributed to this report 
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