May 1998 interview with Osama Bin Laden

September 12, 2001 7:24 PM

May 1998 interview with Osama Bin Laden "if they cherish their sons, they must elect an American patriotic government that caters to their interests not the interests of the Jews. " The impression I get from the news services is that all evidence so far points to him. An old interview, but still, disturbing.
posted by smt (4 comments total)

I should mention that I am not trying to suggest the accusations so far are right. But since most of the country is ready to assign blame to this man, i found this relevant.
Regardless of whether or not he is responsible, it is still a disturbing interview.
posted by smt at 7:30 PM on September 12, 2001

I agree with smt...from the following statement:

We believe that the worst thieves in the world today and the worst terrorists are the Americans. Nothing could stop you except perhaps retaliation in kind. We do not have to differentiate between military or civilian. As far as we are concerned, they are all targets, and this is what the fatwah says

I have held conclusions, but this seems too much to bear.
posted by Benway at 8:16 PM on September 12, 2001

agreed, regardless if he is to blamb in this incident it is scary. The pulled quotes are espacially scary.
I would really like to hear Islamic scholars take on his interpretation of his religion.
posted by mmascolino at 8:19 PM on September 12, 2001

Sorry to post again, but this was a fascinating article from the journalist who conducted the interview. Bin Laden's responses were not translated live.

""Ali had been told to sit in the back of the room during the interview. When it was over, I went looking for him. "So, do we have a story?" I whispered when I found him. "Please tell me it wasn't just an hour of 'Praise Allah' bullshit."

"No," Ali said. "We have a very good story." I asked Ali what bin Laden had said that would make this news. "He was looking right into your face," Ali said, "and he was saying that you--you people, the Americans--would be going home from the Middle East in coffins and in boxes."

"He said that?" I asked, excited. "And while he was saying this, what was I doing?"

Ali looked at me a bit oddly and said, "You were nodding like you agreed with his plan."

During the hour-long interview, bin Laden, assuming correctly that I did not understand a word he was saying, had taken to looking at his translator as he gave his answers. Clearly, he did not understand the basic conventions of the American television interview. Imagine that. So, to keep his responses directed toward our camera, to make it seem like we were rocking along together, I engaged him in knowing eye contact and nodded thoughtfully.

"So, Ali, you're telling me he's promising genocide, and I'm nodding like an asshole?"

"Yes," Ali said, smiling. "
posted by smt at 9:01 PM on September 12, 2001