by proldic » Sat Sep 03, 2005 1:10 pm
CNN Saturday, September 3, 2005 <br><br>CIA: Bomber tape 'appears genuine'<br><br>The latest al Qaeda videotape, aired on the Arabic channel Al-Jazeera on Thursday, appears genuine in that the two speakers are who they claim to be, CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said Friday.<br><br>The tape includes statements by the terror group's No. 2 man, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and by a man Al-Jazeera called one of the July 7 London suicide bombers, Mohammed Sidique Khan...<br><br>Scotland Yard, which received the tape only Thursday night, is hoping to compare the tape to existing recordings of Khan's voice, such as in voice mail messages, and seeking out witnesses who knew Khan who can assess whether it sounds like him.<br><br>On its broadcast, the Al-Jazeera anchor did not say how the Arabic-language network received the videotape.<br><br>"On the video, Mohammed Sidique, 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 anchor said.<br><br>The video shows a man who looks similar to the man in surveillance photographs who was identified as Khan by authorities after the bombings...<br><br>Scotland Yard is studying the editing of the tape, especially how portions featuring Khan and al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri are spliced together.<br><br>Earlier, U.S. officials said the CIA would conduct a technical and textual analysis of the tape.<br><br>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.<br><br>"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."...<br><br>The Al-Jazeera anchor said the comments were part of a "much longer tape."...<br><br>Comments from al-Zawahiri followed, in which he claims direct responsibility for the London bombings...<br><br>The tape carries the logo of the Al-Sahab Production Company, which produced videotapes made by the 9/11 bombers.<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/09/02/london.tape.cia/">edition.cnn.com/2005/WORL....tape.cia/</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br> <p></p><i></i>
