Osama warns of avenging Iraq

The video appeared to be bin Laden’s first direct threat against the United States over deaths in Iraq.

‘‘The black gold (oil) blinded him and he put his personal interests above the general interests of America so the war took place, many died, American money was squandered and Bush was dragged into a quagmire in Iraq, which threatens his future,’’ bin Laden said in the video, dated October 24.

‘‘More than 15,000 of our people were killed and tens of thousands wounded and more than 1,000 of your people (Americans) were killed and tens of thousands wounded. Bush’s hands are sullied with the blood of those on both sides just for oil and to employ his private companies,’’ bin Laden said.

‘‘Remember that for every action, there is a reaction,’’ he said, adding that Al Qaeda would carry on fighting the United States ‘‘until it forces it into bankruptcy’’.

The complete 18-minute video tape was posted on the Internet after Al Jazeera aired excerpts last Saturday in which bin Laden issued a warning of possible new September 11-style attacks. Al Jazeera did not broadcast his remarks on Iraq. —Reuters