By DPA
Doha : A new audiotape message purportedly from Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden called on European countries to pull their forces out of Afghanistan.
In the tape broadcast by Aljazeera Thursday, bin Laden said European troops have violated war ethics in an “unjust war” that has mostly claimed the lives of women and children.
“You (the Europeans) did not follow the morals of war when you assaulted women, though you know our women do not fight,” bin Laden said.
Bin Laden again took responsibility for the Sep 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington and said the blame should not lie with the Afghan people. Bin Laden urged Europeans to pressure their governments to withdraw troops from Iraq also.
There was no immediate confirmation the voice was bin Laden’s although a US official said the voice appears to be that of the Al Qaeda leader and that US intelligence was analysing the tape.
“The statement does not appear to contain any specific or credible threats, but it will be analysed,” said the official, who requested anonymity.
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said “it’s hardly news” that bin Laden has claimed responsibility for the Sep 11 attacks and that his attempt to address the Europeans over Afghanistan was “not a new tactic”.
“I think our NATO allies understand quite clearly what is at stake in Afghanistan as well as elsewhere around the world in fighting the war on terror,” McCormack said.