Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUDHABI4004
2003-09-02 12:52:00
SECRET
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAEG ELECTS NOT TO AIR RECORDED THREAT TAPE
how-tonull Diana T Fritz 03/20/2007 05:32:58 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results Cable Text: SECRET SIPDIS TELEGRAM September 02, 2003 To: No Action Addressee Action: Unknown From: AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI (ABU DHABI 4004 - UNKNOWN) TAGS: PREL Captions: None Subject: UAEG ELECTS NOT TO AIR RECORDED THREAT TAPE RECEIVED BY ABU DHABI TV Ref: None _________________________________________________________________ S E C R E T ABU DHABI 04004 SIPDIS CXABU: ACTION: POL INFO: RSO P/M AMB DCM ECON DISSEMINATION: POL CHARGE: PROG APPROVED: CDA:RAALBRIGHT DRAFTED: POL:JFMAYBURY CLEARED: POL/MIL:SYORK VZCZCADI049 OO RUEHC RUCNRAQ RHMFISS RUEAIIA DE RUEHAD #4004 2451252 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 021252Z SEP 03 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1517 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/HQ COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTH BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004004
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/NGA, EB-IRAQ TASK FORCE, IO/UNP AND
NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/01/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: UAEG ELECTS NOT TO AIR RECORDED THREAT TAPE
RECEIVED BY ABU DHABI TV
S E C R E T ABU DHABI 004004
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/NGA, EB-IRAQ TASK FORCE, IO/UNP AND
NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/01/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: UAEG ELECTS NOT TO AIR RECORDED THREAT TAPE
RECEIVED BY ABU DHABI TV
1. (U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Richard
Albright, for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).
2. (C) Summary: A special assistant to UAE Armed Forces
Chief of Staff Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan
delivered to Charge late September 1 an audio recording
that had been delivered to Abu Dhabi TV in Baghdad. The
tape contains an oral message from someone claiming
affiliation with Al Qaida, accusing US and coalition
forces of being behind the Najaf bombing, threatening
attacks on US, UK, and coalition forces if they do not
withdraw from Iraq, and warning of biological weapons
attacks in the US and the UK. Senior UAEG officials
doubt the recording's authenticity. Minister of
Information Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan assured
Charge that Abu Dhabi TV would not air the recording.
End Summary.
3. (SBU) According to our translation from the Arabic,
the male voice on the tape identifies himself as a
member of a sub-unit of al-Qaida called al-Qaida al-
Muharama, or al-Tanzeem al-Muharam, which means the
sacred Qaida or the sacred organization. The message is
addressed to the Iraqi people, Arab countries, and the
entire world. The speaker starts with Qu'ranic verses
then denies any linkage with the latest bombing in
Najaf. He accuses the U.S. and coalition forces of
being behind this blast.
5. (SBU) The voice on the tape issues threats to U.S.,
U.K and coalition troops in Iraq and warns that if they
don't withdraw their forces from Iraq soon, they will
face more killings and explosions. "Beware of the
coming hours," the speaker warns. "We have biological
weapons capable of exploding in the most congested
areas, causing the most devastating casualties. We
already have the capability of putting together the most
effective explosion in less than 35 minutes. We already
planted two of them within the U.S. Our people can
easily get into the U.S. and the U.K. planting such
explosives on the most congested roads, and killing the
highest number of people. This will be a historic
explosion and probably the last. I hope this message
will reach the American people."
6. (SBU) The recording also warns that "if the U.S. and
the U.K do not withdraw their forces from Iraq,
killings and explosions will reach their roads." There
are also warnings for the Arab League and its members.
"If you send troops into Iraq, explosions will reach
your towns and cities, similar to what happened to the
U.N, Saudi Arabia, and various other places." The
speaker then announced an award of USD 85 million for
the person who kills Paul Bremer, and a similar award
for the killing of any member of the current Iraqi
Governing Council, specifically naming Ahmed Chalabi.
The award would be delivered by the group's secret
service planted all over Iraq.
7. (SBU) Addressing media representatives in Iraq,
especially "Al Jazeera" and Abu Dhabi TV, the speaker
says, "I'm sending you this tape to ensure its airing
on your channels to reach the whole world. Your duty
is to convey all that you witness in Al Ramada,
Baghdad, and other Iraqi towns and cities. We know
where your offices are located in Iraq and can easily
reach you if you don't convey the honest picture that
you witness." Focusing on Abu Dhabi TV, he says "we
respect and love you." He adds, "If you convey honest
reporting, we will reward you and give you USD 1-2
million. Again we know how to get to you, and can
protect you."
8. (SBU) The speaker repeatedly identifies his troops
by giving the units' names. "Our forces are composed of
three units -- Hamza, Khalid Bin Al Walid, and Al
Hassan wa Al Hussain -- who are the most powerful units
ever." He closes by asking the media to take this
matter very seriously before it is too late.
9. (C) COMMENT: Our native Arabic speaker political
assistant remarked that the voice on the tape sounded
like an uneducated Arab or a non-Arab who can only read
due to his ability to read the Qur'an. Several Arabic
words were grammatically incorrect.
ALBRIGHT
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/NGA, EB-IRAQ TASK FORCE, IO/UNP AND
NEA/ARP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/01/13
TAGS: PREL IZ TC
SUBJECT: UAEG ELECTS NOT TO AIR RECORDED THREAT TAPE
RECEIVED BY ABU DHABI TV
1. (U) Classified by Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Richard
Albright, for Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D).
2. (C) Summary: A special assistant to UAE Armed Forces
Chief of Staff Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al-Nahyan
delivered to Charge late September 1 an audio recording
that had been delivered to Abu Dhabi TV in Baghdad. The
tape contains an oral message from someone claiming
affiliation with Al Qaida, accusing US and coalition
forces of being behind the Najaf bombing, threatening
attacks on US, UK, and coalition forces if they do not
withdraw from Iraq, and warning of biological weapons
attacks in the US and the UK. Senior UAEG officials
doubt the recording's authenticity. Minister of
Information Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan assured
Charge that Abu Dhabi TV would not air the recording.
End Summary.
3. (SBU) According to our translation from the Arabic,
the male voice on the tape identifies himself as a
member of a sub-unit of al-Qaida called al-Qaida al-
Muharama, or al-Tanzeem al-Muharam, which means the
sacred Qaida or the sacred organization. The message is
addressed to the Iraqi people, Arab countries, and the
entire world. The speaker starts with Qu'ranic verses
then denies any linkage with the latest bombing in
Najaf. He accuses the U.S. and coalition forces of
being behind this blast.
5. (SBU) The voice on the tape issues threats to U.S.,
U.K and coalition troops in Iraq and warns that if they
don't withdraw their forces from Iraq soon, they will
face more killings and explosions. "Beware of the
coming hours," the speaker warns. "We have biological
weapons capable of exploding in the most congested
areas, causing the most devastating casualties. We
already have the capability of putting together the most
effective explosion in less than 35 minutes. We already
planted two of them within the U.S. Our people can
easily get into the U.S. and the U.K. planting such
explosives on the most congested roads, and killing the
highest number of people. This will be a historic
explosion and probably the last. I hope this message
will reach the American people."
6. (SBU) The recording also warns that "if the U.S. and
the U.K do not withdraw their forces from Iraq,
killings and explosions will reach their roads." There
are also warnings for the Arab League and its members.
"If you send troops into Iraq, explosions will reach
your towns and cities, similar to what happened to the
U.N, Saudi Arabia, and various other places." The
speaker then announced an award of USD 85 million for
the person who kills Paul Bremer, and a similar award
for the killing of any member of the current Iraqi
Governing Council, specifically naming Ahmed Chalabi.
The award would be delivered by the group's secret
service planted all over Iraq.
7. (SBU) Addressing media representatives in Iraq,
especially "Al Jazeera" and Abu Dhabi TV, the speaker
says, "I'm sending you this tape to ensure its airing
on your channels to reach the whole world. Your duty
is to convey all that you witness in Al Ramada,
Baghdad, and other Iraqi towns and cities. We know
where your offices are located in Iraq and can easily
reach you if you don't convey the honest picture that
you witness." Focusing on Abu Dhabi TV, he says "we
respect and love you." He adds, "If you convey honest
reporting, we will reward you and give you USD 1-2
million. Again we know how to get to you, and can
protect you."
8. (SBU) The speaker repeatedly identifies his troops
by giving the units' names. "Our forces are composed of
three units -- Hamza, Khalid Bin Al Walid, and Al
Hassan wa Al Hussain -- who are the most powerful units
ever." He closes by asking the media to take this
matter very seriously before it is too late.
9. (C) COMMENT: Our native Arabic speaker political
assistant remarked that the voice on the tape sounded
like an uneducated Arab or a non-Arab who can only read
due to his ability to read the Qur'an. Several Arabic
words were grammatically incorrect.
ALBRIGHT