13 December 2001

Islamic Group Says Videotape Shows Bin Laden's Complicity

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the videotape released December 13 in which Osama bin Laden discusses the September 11 attacks "should remove all doubt" of the al Qaeda leader's complicity in the attacks upon New York and Washington.

"Bin Laden clearly spoke as someone who had foreknowledge of the attacks," said a statement issued by CAIR in Washington December 13.

The Washington-based Islamic advocacy group found the tape disturbing not only because Bin Laden appeared to celebrate the attacks, but also because his statements distorted the Islamic faith.

He falsely implied that the acts of the hijackers were justified by

Islamic beliefs, and he made the "sickening statement" that the attacks benefited Islam greatly, said CAIR.

Following is the text of the statement:

CAIR: VIDEO SHOWS BIN LADEN'S COMPLICITY IN 9-11 ATTACKS

Washington, DC - 12/13/2001 - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, today offered its reaction to the videotape of Osama bin Laden released by the Pentagon.

CAIR stated:

For anyone who was not convinced of Osama bin Laden's complicity in the events of September 11, the content of this videotape should remove all doubt. Bin Laden clearly spoke as someone who had foreknowledge of the attacks.

The tape was particularly disturbing for several reasons:

• Bin Laden seemed to revel in the death and destruction in Washington and New York.

• He falsely implied that the acts of the hijackers were justified by Islamic beliefs.

• He made the sickening statement that the attacks "benefited Islam greatly."

As we have stated repeatedly, the tragedy that occurred on September 11 cannot be justified by any cause or religion. We restate our condemnation of those who committed this crime and look forward to seeing the perpetrators brought to justice.