Qaeda No. 2 Says Britain Will Be Attacked Over Knighting of Author Rushdie
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
LONDON — Osama bin Laden’s second in command issued a warning yesterday that Britain faces fresh terror attacks as “punishment” for Salman Rushdie’s knighthood. The threat — addressed directly to Prime Minister Brown — came in a 20-minute audiotape posted on jihadist Web sites by Ayman al-Zawahri.
He threatened “a very precise response” in retaliation against Britain for having knighted the novelist in the queen’s Birthday Honors last month. Intelligence agencies were last night checking the authenticity of the tape, picked up by an American-based group monitoring Al Qaeda messages.
The speech, entitled “Malicious Britain and its Indian Slaves,” came the day after four men were convicted of the July 21 plot to launch suicide attacks on London and as the jury failed to reach a verdict on two others alleged to be part of their cell.
Mr. Zawahri, who is de facto leader of Al Qaeda since Mr. bin Laden has not been heard of for years, said it insulted Islam to reward the author of “The Satanic Verses.”
He addressed Mr. Brown directly as prime minister and appeared to refer to the failed car bomb attacks in London 10 days ago.
“I say to Blair’s successor that the policy of your predecessor drew catastrophes in Afghanistan and Iraq and even in the center of London,” he said. “And if you did not understand, listen, we are ready to repeat it for you, God willing, until we are sure you have fully understood.”
Mr. Rushdie’s honor caused huge anger across the Muslim world because “The Satanic Verses,” written in 1989, is regarded as an offense to Islam. Last month, a Pakistani minister said it could justify suicide bombings — comments that were condemned by Britain.
The taped threat came as the jury at Woolwich Crown Court was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on two alleged terrorists accused of conspiracy to murder.
The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to seek a retrial of Adel Yahya, 24, and Manfo Kwaku Asiedu, 34, who deny all charges.
Meanwhile, Kafeel Ahmed, 27, who drove the flaming Jeep into Glasgow Airport and suffered 90% burns was said to be near death in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley.
