USAMA BIN LADEN'S STATEMENT ABOUT JIHAD AGAINST

S E C R E T STATE 034310 E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/08 TAGS: PTER PREL AF SA SUBJECT: USAMA BIN LADEN'S STATEMENT ABOUT JIHAD AGAINST THE U.S. REF: A) STATE 32296 (NOTAL) CLASSIFIED BY KENNETH R. MCKUNE, ACTING COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM, S/CT, DEPARTMENT OF STATE. REASON: 1.5 (B),(D). (S) DEPARTMENT REQUESTS THAT POST ADD THE FOLLOWING TALKING POINTS TO THOSE CONTAINED IN REFTEL AND CONVEY THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE TALIBAN OFFICIALS AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY: (BEGIN POINTS) --USAMA BIN LADEN RECENTLY ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING FOR ALL MUSLIMS TO ENGAGE IN A HOLY WAR AGAINST AMERICANS. --WE FIND STATEMENTS OF THIS KIND, OPEN INVITATIONS TO CARRY OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS AGAINST INNOCENT PEOPLE TO BE OUTRAGEOUS AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. --WE HAVE DISCUSSED OUR CONCERNS ABOUT USAMA BIN LADEN'S INFLAMATORY REMARKS AND ANTI-AMERICAN RHETORIC BEFORE. WE WERE GIVEN ASSURANCES THAT NEGATIVE ACTIONS LIKE THIS WOULD BE CURBED. --YOU SHOULD CONVEY TO BIN LADEN AND HIS SUPPORTERS IN AFGHANISTAN THAT THIS ADVOCACY OF VIOLENCE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. --THESE KINDS OF STATEMENTS BY BIN LADEN ALSO REFLECT POORLY ON THE TALIBAN, AS HE ENJOYS YOUR HOSPITALITY. (END POINTS) ALBRIGHT