You've Got Warhttp://web.archive.org/web/20010924091900/www.wired.com/news/...1 of 21/13/07 7:01 PM

You've Got War

byArik Hesseldahl

2:16 p.m. Aug. 24, 1998 PDT

If you want to find out what the alleged master terrorist Osama bin Laden really thinks, you have only to takea look around the Web to read his statements, including a 1996 declaration of war against the UnitedStates.Bin Laden is the Saudi millionaire whom the United States says is connected to multiple acts of terrorismagainst American interests abroad, including the recent bombings of the American embassies in Kenya andTanzania. Last week, the US retaliated with missile attacks against targets in Sudan and Afghanistan that itsays are connected to bin Laden's organization.Although bin Laden's declaration of war on the Web has caught the attention of the FBI, the agency declinedto comment on its contents. "We're aware of it. That's about all I can say," said George Grotz, an FBIspokesman in San Francisco.Speaking generally, he said most so-called hate sites are protected by the First Amendment."Unless there is an overt act associated with this activity, for the most part this is protected speech," Grotzsaid. "But it's enough to make you aware. It's part of our counter-terrorism responsibilities to determinewhether or not these could be linked to other activities."The document, officially known as "The Ladenese Epistle" is a rambling, 11,000-word call for the forcefulexpulsion of American forces from Saudi Arabia and the overthrow of the current Saudi government. It ishosted byMSANews, a site devoted to covering the Arab world for Arabs living in western countries. Thedocument appears on a page that includes an exhaustive collection of links to articles about bin Laden byseveral media organizations, including CNN, ABC News, and others.MSANews, in a 1997 statement following a CNN story in which the site appeared on camera, denied anyconnection to bin Laden."We are not part of any organization, nor do we endorse a single statement of what you read [on the site],"the site's editors wrote. "We are not party to any conspiracy, religious or otherwise, nor are we connected inany way to bin Laden or his group."Bin Laden'scall to waris also hosted by another Web site belonging to a company called Azzam Publications.On the site, the company describes itself as being set up "to propagate the call for jihad" -- or holy war --"among Muslims who are sitting down, ignorant of this vital duty."In an FAQ section, the site solicits monetary donations to help fund jihad in unspecified countries.On its front pages, users are greeted with a series of photographs of Russian soldiers in Chechnya underattack, apparently by Muslim fighters. The site also sells books and audio tapes containing information aboutMuslims fighting in Bosnia-Herzegovina and elsewhere. But the site also says it "does not support, financiallyor otherwise, terrorist acts against innocent citizens in ANY country in the world."The Web site is hosted by an Internet service provider in Las Vegas, but lists an email address in GreatBritain as a contact. Email messages to that address seeking comment were returned unanswered.---

Note:

The Ladense Epistle is in three parts on MSANews:Part One Part TwoPart Three