US government sources have confirmed that anti-terror forces, including the FBI and CIA, are attempting to confirm the authenticity of a new videotape, featuring a spokesman who claims to be an al Qaeda operative, that claims the US is about to be attacked. As first reported by internet shock columnist Matt Drudge earlier today, the hour-long videotape was obtained by America's ABC News in Pakistan over the weekend and was passed along to anti-terror groups in the US after being viewed by network exectutives. ABC News vice president Jeffrey Schneider told Reuters that the network had been "working around the clock" to determine whether or not the tape was authentic. He denied allegations that the network planned to release the tape as a news story on election eve, saying any delay in airing the contents was down to concerns about authenticity. "Obviously, it would be beyond irresponsible to broadcast this tape without first authenticating it," he told Reuters.The Administration confirmed that US intelligence officials were examining the tape. "The intelligence community is analyzing it, working to verify its authenticity," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. According to Matt Drudge, "The terrorist claims on tape the next attack will dwarf 9/11. 'The streets will run with blood,' and 'America will mourn in silence' because they will be unable to count the number of the dead. Further claims: America has brought this on itself for electing George Bush who has made war on Islam by destroying the Taliban and making war on Al Qaeda. "
Matt Drudge said US intelligence officials believe the man on tape may be Adam Gadhan - aka Adam Pearlman, a California native who was highlighted by the FBI in May as an individual most likely to be involved in or have knowledge of the next al Qaeda attacks. According to Reuters, sources said linguistic experts who have examined the tape believe the man, who identifies himself only as "Azzam the American," learned English at a very young age but is not a native speaker of the language. According to MSNBC, however, intelligence officials have indicated that they are unable to authenticate the tape and will probably let that be their last word on the matter.
The MSNBC story quotes anonymous officials as saying analysts' concerns about the tape's warnings were "low" because it was not clear that the tape was recorded recently and because the man on the tape, who spoke in what appeared to be an American accent, mentioned no details. ABC News has not said what it will do with the tape absent a confirmation of authenticity.