It amused me just how quick the bosses were to accept this one was genuine - after reading only the transcript - compared to previous tapes. Perhaps thats because the content can be fitted in nicely with the war plans.

I think it might very well be genuine, but that doesn't mean I believe that the claims of an Iraq, Al- Quaida are true. I just think that this war suits bin Laden and his followers as much as it does the US. First he seems to want all out war between the west and the muslim world. A war in Iraq will help to polarise opinions between the two cultures and push more muslims towards extremism. Secondly, Iraq is not a fundamentalist Muslim nation, but many of the opposition groups are. Get rid of Saddam, and these groups will most likely form a major part of the new government. Another winner for bin Laden.

Bagpuss