Video Threatens Attacks on US, Australia
12 September 2005
Australian Prime Minister John Howard says people should not be intimidated by a threat against Melbourne and Los Angeles made by a suspected al-Qaida member.
Mr. Howard said Monday the best response for Australians is "to get on with life" and work hard on protective efforts.
A U.S. television network aired a videotape Sunday of a masked man warning of attacks on the two cities.
The man in the tape refers to previous attacks attributed to al-Qaida as he intones, "Yesterday, London and Madrid. Tomorrow, Los Angeles and Melbourne.”
The American ABC network, which says the tape arrived at its Islamabad office Saturday, has tentatively identified the speaker as Adam Gadahn, a U.S. citizen from California who is believed to have joined the al-Qaida terrorist organization. Adam Gadahn also is thought to have been involved in a similar threat video that circulated last year.
Australian and U.S. officials say there are currently no specific threats against Melbourne and Los Angeles.
The speaker on the videotape pointedly mentioned the anniversary on Sunday of the attacks on New York and Washington four years ago. Some analysts say this indicates the message is intended as propaganda on behalf of al-Qaida.
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