Bin Laden Statement
The BBC has the text of the Bin Laden statement broadcast yesterday (12 November 2002) on Al Jazeera TV.
He says it is addressed to the peoples of countries allied to the USA. But I suspect he is more concerned about his own troops — who would have difficulty understanding why Australian civilians were killed by bombing a nightclub in Bali.
He asks: "Why should fear, killing, destruction, displacement, orphaning and widowing continue to be our lot, while security, stability and happiness be your lot?" I think the answer lies in leaders like himself and the political process we have.
We are told to expect more that will further distress us. We do. This broadcast highlights the need to take action to try and limit this.
Unfortunately the broadcast also emphasizes the religious aspect of the terrorist attacks: "... These actions were carried out by the zealous sons of Islam in defence of their religion and in response to the order of their God and prophet ...".
This highlights the dangers of separating faith from reason.
By J.R. Lilburne, 1215 L Wednesday 13 November 2002. Updated 2205 L Wed 13 Nov 2002. I give what I have written on this page to the public domain.
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