Obama Vows Stern Action Against Terrorism

Washington – 15.01.09 – Even as Osama Bin Laden delivers war cry asking Muslim countries to launch a JIHAD or holy war against Israel, US president elect Obama vowed to go after him to prevent further spread of terrorism across the globe. 

Obama’s vow comes in the wake of revelation that terrorists have been using the safe heavens along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan to carry out their attacks.

“Bin Laden and Al Qaeda are our number one threat when it comes to American security,” Obama said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that they cannot create safe havens they can (use to) attack America.”

The revelation about Bin Laden calling for the Jihad came out with the purported tape surfacing on Wednesday.  Laden had asked Muslim nations all over the world to engage in an offensive against Israel to stop their attack on Gaza.

Laden predicted that recession in US will reduce substantially American economic influence overseas. Global financial crisis had clearly exposed the waning US economic influence on the world; he commented and went on to say that this has also weakened its ally Israel.

“Our brothers in Palestine, you have suffered a lot…. the Muslims sympathise with you in what they see and hear. We, the mujahideen, sympathise with you also…” bin Laden said on the tape entitled “A Call for Jihad to Stop the Aggression against Gaza”, that appeared on Islamist websites.

“We are with you and we will not let you down. Our fate is tied to yours in fighting the Crusader-Zionist (Western-Israeli) coalition, in fighting until victory or martyrdom”, he added.  He also went to the extent of warning the Muslim world not to rely on the Arab leaders “the great majority of whom are allied with the Crusader-Zionist coalition” according to him.

Washington’s response to the tape was that it showed how isolated bin Laden has become from the rest of the world.

“It appears this tape demonstrates his isolation and continued attempts to remain relevant at a time when al Qaeda’s ideology, mission and agenda are being questioned and challenged throughout the world,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe. “This also looks to be an effort to raise money as part of their ongoing propaganda campaign,” he added.