West at war with Islam: Laden

In his first new message in three months, bin Laden said the West8217;s decision to cut off funds to the Palestinians because their Hamas leaders refuse to recognise Israel proved that the US and Europe were conducting 8220;a Zionist crusader war on Islam.8221;

8220;The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a Zionist crusader war on Islam,8221; said the speaker on the tape broadcast by the Al-Jazeera network.

8220;I say that this war is the joint responsibility of the people and the governments. While the war continues, the people renew their allegiance to their rulers and politicians and continue to send their sons to our countries to fight us.8221;

Bin Laden also addressed the conflict in Sudan, where he was based before being expelled under threats from the US. He then moved to Afghanistan and is believed to be hiding out in the mountains on the Pakistani side of their common border.

8220;I call on Mujahedeen and their supporters, especially in Sudan and the Arab peninsula, to prepare for long war against the crusader plunderers in Western Sudan. Our goal is not defending the Khartoum government but to defend Islam and its people,8221; said bin Laden.

US Republican Representative Peter Hoekstra, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Al-Qaeda8217;s Internet techniques 8220;would make a politician proud. The quality of the materials, the quality of the marketing-the message is very good,8221; said Hoekstra.

He said it 8220;recognises that much of this war, this battle that we8217;re fighting, is about winning the hearts and the minds of moderate Islam, and they are focused on that. We need to be focused on it.8221;

Steven R Hurst