Al-Qaeda message condemns Obama

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7737710.stm


The second-in-command of Islamic militant network al-Qaeda has hit out at US President-elect Barack Obama.

In a message purportedly from Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda deputy called Mr Obama a "house negro" - a demeaning term implying he served white people.

Mr Obama's plan to bolster the US military presence in Afghanistan would fail, Zawahiri said.

If genuine, the message would be the first acknowledgement by al-Qaeda of the president-elect's victory.

The audio message appeared on militant websites.

Zawahiri, an Egyptian by birth, is often referred to as Osama Bin Laden's right-hand man and the chief ideologue of al-Qaeda.

In the short message he warned Mr Obama of failure if he followed Bush administration policies in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

He also criticised Mr Obama - whose father is Muslim - for abandoning his Islamic roots.

"You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand with the enemies of Muslims," he said.

On Sunday, in his first television interview since his 4 November election win, Mr Obama reiterated his commitment to shift more US troops to war-torn Afghanistan.

Stamping out al-Qaeda "once and for all" was a top priority, he said, and capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden was "critical" to US security.

Lol. I have been expecting their message

I think this is goodnews to David Axelrod

If Al-Zawahiri was celebrating Obama's victory then Americans will have cause to worry.

I don't think any American politician needs Al-Qaida's endorsement.

And by the way Obama enjoys enough goodwill from the Arab World. When Obama visited Jordan, he was personally driven to the airport by King Abdullah of Jordan. Even Amedinajad found time to write Obama some good letter.

General David Patreaus and Other commaders in Pakistan-Afghanistan see so much goodwill in the region to Obama to pursue a new agenda.

Conclusively I think this is goodnews as it gives the Obama administration an opportunity to isolate Al-Qaida from Islam.

I think this is goodnews to David Axelrod
Conclusively I think this is goodnews as it gives the Obama administration an opportunity to isolate Al-Qaida from Islam.

If you look at it from an American news consumption, yes the rhetoric is good news. However, if you look at it tactically, it is not a good news.

Afghanistan is a cross-road of many interests; past, present and future. What I think will end up happening is Obama declaring a military success after two years and bringing the troops home from Afghanistan. Here is why I said so.

Ahmadinejjad reaching out to him was a calculated move. He is sandwiched between Iraq and Afghanistan. If as promised, Obama indeed pulls out of Iraq, then the only collateral bargain that Ahmadinejad has to shield itself against a military attack is Afghanistan. Obama is planning to increase troops to Afghanistan, so then as he withdraws from Iraq expect some insurgents from there to shift base to Afghanistan. Also, expect that Iran will influece ground battle as they did with Iraq, to keep American trrops bogged down for an extended period long enough to acquire nuclear. If they acquire nuclear America is in a very very bad position, for the simple reason that it will now be sandwiched between two nuclear nations.

Al Zawahiri message is a lure, an attempt to cause Obama to take unilateral decision to violate Pakistan's sovereingty by pursuing Al -Q and thereby escalating the problem beyond Afghanistan and into Pakistan. In addition to everything else, going into Pakistan will no doubt cause China to voice opposition - too close for comfort!