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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Zarqawi calls for attacks on the US |
| 2005-05-01 |
| An audiotape purportedly by America's most-wanted insurgent in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, that was posted yesterday on the Internet, threatens more attacks against United States forces and urges followers to be wary of any US attempts at dialogue. The authenticity of the 18-minute tape, posted on a website known for carrying messages from Islamic militant groups, could not be determined. The voice sounded similar to previous audiotapes attributed to the Jordanian-born militant who leads an al-Qaeda affiliate in Iraq. The voice on the tape directly addresses US President George Bush, who yesterday welcomed the new Iraqi government and again promised US help against insurgents. "You, Bush, we will not rest until we avenge our dignity," the voice said. "We will not rest while your army is here as long as there is a pulse in our veins," it said. The tape urged al-Zarqawi's followers to step up their attacks on American soldiers, vowing to "make swords drip with their blood". "Move ahead with God's blessing," the voice commands followers. "Before the fall of this night, I want to see your swords dripping with the blood of your enemy." The speaker warns followers against any American overtures for dialogue, an apparent reference to reported attempts by the US-backed former Iraqi premier Ayad Allawi to open contacts with some insurgents — in an attempt to persuade them to lay down their arms in exchange for amnesty and a say in politics. Leaders of the Muslim Scholars' Association, the main Sunni Muslim political front, have acknowledged US diplomats have tried to persuade them to end the insurgency in the Arab Sunni areas. The speaker also blasted Iraqi Sunni Muslim clerics for failing to support the insurgency and mocked Iraqi Shiites, calling them "rotten." |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 we will not rest until we avenge our dignity You goat-humping murderers never had any dignity to begin with. |
| Posted by: JerseyMike 2005-05-01 7:30:33 AM |