Author: Hasan Suroor
Publication: The Hindu
Date: February 14, 2003
URL: http://hinduonnet.com/stories/2003021406500100.htm
It is claimed that Osama bin Laden
has predicted his own death in a new taped message, purported to be in
his voice.
Obtained by a Birmingham-based small
Arabic news agency and bookshop Al Ansaar, the tape is in a feeble voice
but the style of delivery is said to resemble the earlier "Osama" recordings.
An Al-Ansaar spokesman told The
Hindu that an "analysis" was going on to determine its authenticity, but
media reports this morning quoted another agency representative as saying
that it had already been subjected to a "verification process".
An English translation of the 50-odd
minute recording, published in The Daily Telegraph, has "Osama" speaking
about his demise and his wish to be a martyr.
It says: "Before I end, I incite
myself and my believing brothers to jehad by the words: `And most surely,
this year I will lead by steed and hurl it and my soul at one of the targets.
So, O my Lord, if my demise has come, then let it not be upon a bier draped
with green mantles. But let my grave be an eagle's belly..."
