"The victory day has come faster
than we expected," he says. "Here is the Islamic nation in Iraq
victorious against the tyrant. The enemy is incapable of fighting on
and has no choice but to run away."
-- al-Qaeda
President Bush’s post-Election November 8th Press Conference answers:
Amid this time of change, I have a message for those on the front lines. To our enemies: Do not be joyful. Do not confuse the workings of our democracy with a lack of will. Our nation is committed to bringing you to justice. Liberty and democracy are the source of America’s strength, and liberty and democracy will lift up the hopes and desires of those you are trying to destroy.
Americans put the party of terrorism in power last Tuesday. No, you say. Perhaps you should do alittle more listening to the terrorists themselves, instead of the lies of Murtha, Pelosi and the rest of their cohorts.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A purported audio recording by the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq vows to step up the group's fight against the United States, saying, "We haven't had enough of your blood yet."
The recording was posted Friday on an Islamist Web site and the speaker is identified as Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, successor to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
"Come down to the battlefield, you coward," the speaker says on the recording, which CNN cannot independently confirm as the voice of al-Muhajir.
Calling President Bush a "lame duck" and labeling outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld a "coward," the speaker tells Bush not to "run away as your lame defense secretary ran away," referring to Rumsfeld's resignation Wednesday.
...
Much of the Iraqi insurgency has been blamed on al Qaeda in Iraq, whose former chief al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S.-led airstrike in June.
The speaker on the tape vows that al Qaeda in Iraq will not stop its jihad "until we sit under the olive trees in Rumiya after we blow up the wicked house known as the White House." He says the first phase of the jihad is now over, and that the next phase -- building an Islamic nation -- has begun.
"The victory day has come faster than we expected," he says. "Here is the Islamic nation in Iraq victorious against the tyrant. The enemy is incapable of fighting on and has no choice but to run away."
The speaker claims his al Qaeda army has 12,000 soldiers -- with 10,000 more waiting in the wings to join them.
And he pledges those troops to the service of the Mujahedeen Shura Council and the Islamic Nation of Iraq. He calls on other insurgent groups in Iraq to join with them.
"We have to be unified by the sword, even though disagreements exist between us," al-Muhajir said.
"Go where God has ordered you to go and know that we are with you. We are your soldiers and your men," he says.
Iran claims the Dem win was a victory for the Mad Mullahs.
MI5 knows of 30 terror plots threatening the UK and is keeping 1,600 individuals under surveillance, the security service's head has said.
Anyone who thinks leaving Iraq or giving up ground already won would be a good strategic move has never looked at a map.
Khameni Calls Democrat Victory A Victory For Iran
From Reuters:
Khamenei calls elections a victory for Iran
Democrats' victory unnerves Baghdad
BAGHDAD -- Across the capital Wednesday, Iraqis balanced their hopes against fears about how U.S. policy will change on the ground in the wake of the Democrats' overwhelming victory in congressional elections and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's sudden resignation.
Rasha Tariq, 23, a college student, said she found herself near tears when she awoke Wednesday morning to the news that the Democrats had won the House and were on the cusp of taking the Senate.
Tariq said she worries the Democrats' victory will mark the beginning of a gradual U.S. pullout from Iraq and the disintegration of what little order is left on the dangerous streets of Baghdad.
"If it was up to the Democrats, we would still be living under Saddam's tyranny," Tariq said in an interview Wednesday in the Sadoun Street shopping district. "I'm afraid that this change is going to affect the American presence in Iraq. I don't want them to leave."
While understanding that U.S. involvement in Iraq will not be altered overnight, both politicians and pedestrians in Baghdad said Wednesday that they were sure the U.S. has reached a turning point in the war.
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