An audio message attributed to Al-Qaeda network leader Osama bin Laden posted on an Islamic web site called on Iraqis to wage jihad on the interim government due to take power from US-led occupying forces from June 30.
The message also offered 10 kilograms of gold to whoever assassinated the top US civilian and military officials in Iraq, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan or his top Iraq envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.
"It is the duty of the Iraqis to launch jihad, not only against the crusaders but also against the government of renegades and those who help it," the message said.
"You know that America promised big rewards for those who slay mujahedeen," the speaker said. "We, al-Qaeda, commit ourselves to provide a reward of 10,000 grams of gold to whoever kills the occupier Bremer or his deputy, the commander of US occupation forces or his deputy in Iraq," said the message.
"The United Nations is just a Zionists' tool, even if it worked under the cover of providing humanitarian aid," the voice said. "... "Whoever kills Kofi Annan, the head of the Iraq mission or his envoys, including Lakhdar Brahimi, will get the same reward of 10,000 grams of gold," the statement said.
The speaker promised a lesser prize - 1,000 grams of gold - to anyone killing a citizen of ststes he called "the masters of the veto like Americans and Britons."
And he offered 500 grams of gold to anyone killing citizens of states he called "slaves of the Security Council who are in Iraq, like Japan and Italy."
"For security reasons, the rewards will be provided as soon as conditions permit, God willing," the voice said. "As for those who die while killing an occupying solider, the great prize will be for us and for him when God grants him martyrdom, and the smaller prize (the gold) will be for his family."
"Bin Laden" denounced U.S. plans to hand power to Iraqis on June 30, calling them a trick to end the resistance that has killed hundreds of U.S. troops. "There is no sovereignty for Iraq as long as a crusader solider remains in its land, and no sovereignty for Iraq as long as it is not ruled by Islam," the voice said.
He also threatened any Iraqis helping the U.S.-led occupation.
"Whoever helps the infidels against Muslims, or helps the occupying forces and whatever is affiliated to them - such as the transitional or permanent government - is committing a violation to Islam," he said, warning of consequences including "spilling blood, taking his money, separating him from his wife."
The recording was titled: "A Word from the emir of the Islamic armies, Osama, to the nation and especially to brotherly Muslims in Iraq." (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
