[/caption]On the night of July 21, Pakistan's private Geo television channel, telecast a rare interview of senior Al-Qaeda leader Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, believed to be terror network's commander of operations in Afghanistan.
The bespectacled, bearded man wearing a turban and keeping a gun on his side spoke about 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the June 2 suicide bombing at Danish embassy in Islamabad which killed six people.
The channel said that the interview was recently recorded in Afghanistan's eastern province of Khost, which borders Pakistan's tribal belt, said to be a known hotbed of Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants. The reporter also said that he was blindfolded by Al-Qaeda men and traveled for several hours, before reaching an unknown location where interview was held in a canvas background.
While one appreciates the courage of the reporter who risked his life in the most dangerous spot in the world, one is astonished that the huge intelligence network of Pakistan and modern surveillance system of CIA never knew about his movements. If an ordinary reporter can have face-to-face access to senior Al-Qaeda figures, why can't the best and mightiest military force of the world operating in Afghanistan know, get a hint of it.
The CIA has claimed several missile strikes launched from unmanned predator aircraft in Pakistani tribal areas against important Al-Qaeda figures. These strikes have caused uproar in Pakistan and fanned anti-American sentiment.
Pakistan's General (retired) President Pervez Musharraf, ditched Taliban regime and became a close ally of the United States when it launched a military attack on Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11 attacks after blaming Al-Qaeda for the them.
Since then several key US officials keep visiting Pakistan and also Pakistani leaders are hosted by the US President George W. Bush. Every time such visits have occurred in the past, Pakistan had been killing scores of Taliban militants or announcing arrests of Al-Qaeda operatives.
If one looks at the pattern, there seems to be some connection between the high-level official visits and fighting in the tribal belt or arrests and now an interview like this has taken place when Pakistani premier Yousuf Raza Gilani is preparing to embark on an official visit to the United States later this week. Gilani has also called a meeting of ruling coalition leaders to devise an anti-terrorism strategy on July 23.
Al-Yazid's utterance that Pakistan is government has caused most of the damage to Al-Qaeda network, could be a good selling point for Gilani when he meets Bush and top US officials. United States is covertly and overtly involved into the politics of Pakistan and the present coalition is said to be the result of its efforts, accepting arch-foe Musharraf as president because Americans want the military dictator at the helms because he served them well during the past eight years.
Questions can be raised about the US-led war on terror because a lot of drama is being created to play to the galleries under its grabs. The United States has made the world a dangerous place, first by creating the holy Islamic fighters to counter communist threat, and now by hunting them on foreign territories and occupying Afghanistan and Iraq.
Here is the transcript of the Geo interview from their website
Q: 1.
It is rumored in some areas that al-qaeda is supported by the united states. How would you respond?
Ans.1.
This is a ridiculous charge.
It was exposed when sheikh osama bin laden proclaimed jehad against the united states. Al qaeda launched a series of attacks against us installations and interests in kenya, tanzania, parts of yemen, somalia and finally the wtc on 9/11.
This proves, beyond any shadow of doubt, that the accusation of al-qaeda being supported by the us, is a blatant lie. “qaeda-al-jehad†was founded by sheikh osama bin laden, sheikh abu obaida panjsheri and abu hafs misri so as to make afghanistan the global centre of mujahideen who had gathered there from all over the world.
Q 2.
Sheikh said, why is al -qaeda waging jehad against the us?
Ans.2.
Jehad was launched against the united states since it has assumed the role of a modern day pharoah, the evil empire - leading crusades against the muslims.
The us backs and supports israel in its repression and occupation of the palestinian lands and its people.
The us forces have established bases in almost all muslim states, be it afghanistan or the holy makkah or even madina; to coerce muslims and exploit their wealth.
Us-led sanctions against iraq have martyred hundreds of thousands of innocent iraqi children, due to unavailability of food and lack of health care.
Q 3.
Do you differentiate between american people and the state itself - or do you consider all americans your enemy?
Ans. 3.
We have reached a point where we see no difference between the state and american people. The united states is a non-muslim state bent on the destruction of muslims. It is the american people who have voted george bush into power, knowing fully well his anti-muslim credentials. America remained witness to the anti-muslim agenda of george bush in his first serving term as president, but they did not learn.
The us is claiming success in afghanistan, and also for controlling militantcy in the area.
Ans.4.
This is yet another false claim. We are fighting with conviction and steadfastness, inflicting greater damages to their troops and installations. The us has been unable to make any strategic headway. Last month they lost 47 members of their army, which they haven't bothered to quote.
The us army tried to use some tribals against the mujahideen and appealed to nato countries to send more troops but no country is ready to deploy additional troops to afghanistan.
Canada on the other hand has threatened to pull out its forces if more nato replacements are not sent.
With the onset of summer, our military action has increased tremendously. A fact that the united states has itself accepted. We have achieved success in jalalabad, kabul and helmand.
We have even destroyed u.s. Helicopters in khost, jalalabad and helmand - reports of which have been carried by media worldwide.
The mujahideen are hopeful and high spirited. They are now expanding their areas of operations and carrying out actions in northern provinces too.
And by the will of god, we will be able to wrestle afghanistan free of foreign occupation very soon.
Q 5.
What do you say about the us charge that khalid sheikh mohammad was the mastermind of 9/11 wtc action?
Ans.5.
Khalid shaikh is a heroic warrior of islam and the muslims can be rightly proud of him. We pray for his early release. Regarding the charges of his involvement in 9/11, he will respond to them in court.
Q 6.
What is the future of the karzai government?
Ans.6.
His future will be no different to that of other puppet governments in afghanistan.
He conspired with the americans against the muslims whom he tortured and helped send to guantanamo bay.
We tried attacking him but he survived. We will take him to task once we enter kabul. History will adjudge him a traitor.
Q 7.
Sheikh saeed which country is supporting al-qaeda and if not why?
Ans.7.
Not a single muslim country supports our movement as they have sold their souls to the infidels. They are traitors and their only motive is to remain in power.
And is there any muslim government who you hold responsible for damaging your cause the most?
Sadly it is the government of pakistan which has caused most damage to our cause. President musharraf violated the trust of muslims and contributed to destroying the islamic government of afghanistan.
Q 9.
How many people took part in the 9/11 action and who was the plan's mastermind?
Ans.9.
As many as 19 people participated in this heroic deed, though there were many others who were responsible for planning the whole action. It is not wise to mention their names.
Q 10.
Are you getting help from some tribal areas of pakistan for your cause in afghanistan?
Ans.10.
Yes, we are getting support from some people in pakistan's tribal areas. They helped in jehad against the soviet union and are now supporting us against the united states.
Waging jehad is compulsory for all muslims. And we ask educated people like doctors and engineers to join our struggle. We also need financial support to further our cause.
Q 11.
Is al-qaeda responsible for bombing the danish embassy?
Ans.11.
We claim responsibility for the attack as they had committed blasphemy against the holy prophet (pbuh).
What is your view on suicide bombings? Is it justified under islamic law?
Ans.12.
Sometimes in military engagement, attacking the enemy is not possible with conventional tactics, therefore we have to adopt this method for getting closer to the target and ensuring it is neutralised.
Regarding the edicts of the self professed ulema, that this tactic is against the spirit of islam, they have no shariah validity as they do not understand the realities of war. Most of them are making these proclamations on the directions of the "enemy of islam."
Q 13.
Do you term the attack on pakistan's former interior minister aftab sherpao in a mosque as a right step?
Ans.13.
We had strongly criticised the act as none of our mujahideen carried it out.
Our ranks are under strict instructions against carrying out attacks in mosques or in situations where muslims may become targets.
We believe the attack may have been carried out by security agencies to make our cadre and cause look weak.
We also sent out an explanatory response to attacks on mosques - but the newspapers portrayed a different version to ours. We urge our muslim brothers not to believe the lies fed to them by american governments or secret agencies - but to have faith in the mujahideen and their cause.
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