An American thought to be an al-Qaeda activist appeared in a videotape with the terror group's deputy leader and called on his countrymen to convert to Islam and for US soldiers to switch sides in the Iraq and Afghan wars.
The 48-minute video, posted on an Islamic militant Web site, had footage of al-Qaeda's No. 2 leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, and of Adam Yehiye Gadahn, a 28-year-old American who the FBI believes attended al-Qaeda training camps in Pakistan and served as an al-Qaeda translator.
It was the second time Gadahn appeared in the same video with al-Zawahri. In a July 7 video marking the one-year anniversary of the terror attack on London commuters, Gadahn appeared briefly, saying no Muslim should "shed tears" for Westerners killed by al-Qaeda attacks.
PHOTO: AFP
But Saturday's video -- and the length of Gadahn's speech -- suggested al-Qaeda has found in him someone it believes can communicate effectively with Americans.
Appearing days before the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the US, Gadahn spoke for nearly the entire video, wearing a white robe and a white turban, sitting in front of a desk with a computer and Islamic religious books in a room with a white wall.
The video included no direct threats of terror attacks.
Gadahn delivered a lecture on Islam and the "errors" in Christianity and Judaism. He also said the US is losing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and told US soldiers they are fighting US President George W. Bush's "crusades."
"Instead of killing yourself for Bush ... why not surrender to the truth [of Islam], escape from the unbelieving army and join the winning side. Time is running out so make the right choice before it's too late," he said.
Al-Zawahri gave only a brief introduction to the video, calling on Americans to convert to Islam.
"To the American people and the people of the West in general ... God sent his Prophet Mohammed with guidance and the religion of truth ... and sent him as a herald," he said.
The CIA said it had conducted a technical review on the videotape and concluded the voice is al-Zawahri's. An agency spokeswoman said it is not authorized to conduct such analysis on US citizens such as Gadahn.
Little is known about Gadahn's role in al-Qaeda. A Californian who converted to Islam, he disappeared soon after the Sept. 11 attacks. In 2004, the FBI announced it was seeking Gadahn in connection with possible terrorist threats against the US, but adding it did not have information linking him to any specific terror activities.
"You know that if you die as an unbeliever in battle against the Muslims you're going straight to Hell without passing `Go,"' Gadahn said on the video, addressing US soldiers.
"You know you're considered by Bush and his bunch of warmongers as nothing more than expendable cannon fodder ... You know they couldn't care less about your safety and well-being," he said.
"We send a special invitation [to convert to Islam] to all of you fighting Bush's crusader pipe dream in Afghanistan, Iraq and wherever else `W' has sent you to die. You know the war can't be won," he said, using Bush's nickname.
Gadahn appeared in a separate part of the video from al-Zawahri. The video was released by al-Qaeda's production wing, As-Sahab.
Gadahn spoke with his face uncovered, with his name and nom de guerre -- "Azzam the American" -- written in titles in Arabic and English next to him.
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