AP News, September 8th, 2007
President Bush said Saturday that Osama bin Laden's first video appearance in three years is a reminder of "the dangerous world in which we live."
"It's important that we show resolve and determination to protect ourselves, to deny al-Qaida safe haven and support young democracies, which will be a major defeat to their ambitions," Bush said about the video released just days before the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
In a 30-minute speech addressed to Americans, bin Laden boasts about the impact of the 2001 attacks, mocks the democratic system of government in the United States and lambastes the Bush administration for initiating the war in Iraq.
"I found it interesting that on the tape, Iraq was mentioned, which is reminder that Iraq is a part of this war against extremists," Bush said. "If al-Qaida bothers to mention Iraq it's because they want to achieve their objectives in Iraq, which is to drive us out and to develop a safe haven. And the reason they want a safe haven is to launch attacks against America or any other ally."
Bush spoke about the al-Qaida video during a photo opportunity with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two leaders are in Australia for the annual summit of 21 Pacific Rim nations. He talked about the tape after thanking Japan for its support of the war.
"The tape is a reminder about the dangerous world in which we live, and it's a reminder that we must work together to protect our people against these extremists who murder the innocent in order to achieve their political objectives," he said.
(This version CORRECTS that Bush spoke about the video on his own, not in response to question.)
