A voice purported to be Osama bin Laden has vowed suicide attacks "inside andoutside" the United States and threatened nations that are helping the Americanoccupation of Iraq.
The speaker in the tape, broadcast throughout the Arab world yesterday bythe Al-Jazeera television station, also warned Iraqis against co-operating withUS forces and urged youths in neighbouring nations to join a jihad, or holy war,against the Americans.
"We reserve the right to respond at the appropriate time and place againstall the countries participating in this unjust war, particularly Britain, Spain,Australia, Poland, Japan and Italy," the voice said.
"The Islamic countries who participate will not be exempt, especially theGulf countries, most prominent among them is Kuwait, the launching base forinfantry troops of the crusaders."
It was the first tape since one released on the eve of the second anniversaryof the Sept 11 terror attacks - and the new message came as US President GeorgeBush toured Asian nations rallying allies in the war on terrorism.
The United States is pushing more nations to send troops to Iraq to help itsforces trying to stabilise the country.
In Bangkok for an economic summit of Asian leaders, Bush said the new tapeshould persuade the world to support the war on terror.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said authorities would analysethe tape.
The speaker on the tape used similar wording, including Koranic verses andpoems, spoken by bin Laden in previous tapes. He held back a sob when addressingthe Iraqi people, telling them he shares their concerns and saluting them ontheir jihad.
PA