Obama is same as Bush, says al-Qaida chief

Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, says president's recent outreach to Arab world is attempt to fool Muslims

by Ian Black

 

Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaida's second-in-command, has urged Muslims not to be fooled by Barack Obama's policies – which he insisted were no different from those of George Bush.

"America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us," Osama bin Laden's deputy said in a video message posted on a Jihadi website. "He is calling for change, but he aims to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights.

"It is America that is still killing Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It is America that steals their fortunes, occupies their land, and supports the thieving, corrupt, and traitor rulers in their countries. And consequently, the problem is not over. Rather, it is likely to deteriorate and escalate."

Zawahiri, an Egyptian doctor, issues statements far more frequently than Bin Laden, and terrorism analysts say he often seems to be reflecting al-Qaida's preoccupations. Last November he described the new US president as a "house negro".

His latest remarks come as Obama wins plaudits for attempting to reach out to Muslim and Arab opinion, using diplomacy and economic assistance in his bid to counter the Taliban in Afghanistan as well as increasing US troop strengths.

In Turkey last month he insisted that the US was not "at war" with Islam. He has also announced a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and signalled that he will work urgently to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"What Obama is seeking to do by increasing US forces in Afghanistan and continuing to bomb Pakistan will only add more fuel to the fire and expose your soldiers to more killings and injuries," Zawahiri said. He also warned the Obama administration against any co-operation with Iran in Afghanistan and Iraq.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/20/al-qaida-obama-bush