Why does al-Qaeda regularly release video tapes showing
images of Osama bin-Laden that contain nothing dated (like a
newspaper page) to show he's still alive, with a voice-over
that may?or may not?be his? Since these tapes don't
provide proof that he's alive, what's the point? It may be
this: no matter who's doing the talking, the words contain
hidden messages to "sleeper cells," telling them it's time for a
new attack.
When bin-Laden's message was broadcast over the al-
Jazeera satellite channel last weekend, only one country was
named: Kuwait. "Islamic countries that take part will not be
excluded," the voice claiming to be bin-Laden said. "This
applies particularly to the Gulf states, particularly Kuwait, a
launching pad for the crusader forces."
On November 2nd, Kuwait will begin the trial of six people
charged with being part of an Islamic terrorist network. "We
believe this was directed at al-Qaeda's large sleeper network
in Kuwait to move into action," says an intelligence
source. "There's nothing more specific than this."
Where are these sleeper cells? The U.K. says al-Qaeda
established a large network of terrorist agents there. Eliza
Manningham-Buller, the director of Britain's MI5, says al-
Qaeda has recruited people who have already blended into
British society and they have been ordered to maintain normal
lives until they receive orders from al-Qaeda. She says, "The
timing of any attack is of their choosing and for them
patience is part of the struggle."
Governments?as well as terrorists?are excellent at
keeping secrets.
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