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Islamic militant leader vows more anti-U.S. bombings
May 11, 1997
Web posted at: 3:05 p.m. EDT (1905 GMT)From Correspondent Peter Arnett
AFGHANISTAN (CNN) -- To the U.S. government, he is a terrorist. To some in the Islamic world, he is a hero. Regardless of how he is described, Osama Bin Ladin is undeniably a threat to the lives of American troops against whom he has declared a holy war, or jihad.
The U.S. State Department calls him "one of the most significant financial sponsors of Islamic extremism in the world." The 41-year-old Bin Ladin has been linked to terrorist groups in Egypt and Algeria, an attempted bombing of U.S. troops in Yemen in 1992, and the World Trade Center bombing in New York.
During an interview in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, Bin Ladin pledged that the holy war would move forward. He also called bombings against U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia heroic and distanced himself from the World Trade Center bombing.
Asked if more bombings would target U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia, Bin Ladin said, "If the American presence continues ... explosions and killings of the American soldiers would continue."
"The U.S. government ... has committed acts that are extremely unjust, hideous and criminal ... through its support of the Israeli occupation of (Palestine)," he said. "For this and other acts of aggression, we have declared a jihad against the U.S."
-- Osama Bin Ladin
"The U.S. government ... has committed acts that are extremely unjust, hideous and criminal ... through its support of the Israeli occupation of (Palestine)," he said. "For this and other acts of aggression, we have declared a jihad against the U.S."
At one point during the interview, he issued a point-blank statement to the mothers of American soldiers. "To these mothers, I say, if they are concerned for their sons, then let them object to the American government's policy."
The thick-bearded Bin Ladin, wearing camouflage fatigues and a white turban with a military assault rifle at his side, added that his future plans would not go unnoticed.
"You'll see them and hear them in the media, God willing," he said, emphasizing the honor of death through suicide bombings.
"We love this kind of death for Allah's cause as much as you like to live."
When asked if he helped finance the bombing of the World Trade Center, Bin Ladin categorically denied involvement. Six people were killed and about 1,000 were injured when an explosion rocked the building on February 26, 1993.
"I have no connection or relation with this explosion," he said. Bin Ladin also denied knowing Ramzi Yousef, the alleged mastermind behind the attack.
CNN Impact:
Related stories:
- Report: Terrorist incidents less frequent but bloodier - April 30, 1997
- G-7 leaders pledge to fight terrorism - June 27, 1996
- Terrorism trial begins in New York - May 12, 1996
- Congress passes anti-terrorism bill - April 18, 1996
Related sites:
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- Counterterrorism
- U.S. Department of State's site (includes report:"Patterns of Global Terrorism")
- Terrorism Research Center
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