Bin Laden tape genuine, says CIA
The CIA and National Security Agency concluded the tape was bin Laden reading a statement promising new terrorism against the US. It is the first definitive evidence in almost a year that bin Laden survived the US-led war on his home of Afghanistan.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said: "It is clear that the tape was made in the last several weeks as well." While noting while "it cannot be stated with 100% certainty", Mr McClellan says intelligence experts are sure that bin Laden is speaking on the tape.
"It's a reminder that we need to continue doing everything we can to go after these terrorist networks and their leaders wherever they are, and we will," Mr McClellan said.
The audio message gives little clue to bin Laden's location or his health, intelligence officials say. Some have wondered if he used audio, instead of video, to conceal injuries, sickness or a change in appearance.
Officials believe he is probably hiding in a remote mountainous region along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. There have been rumours that bin Laden was wounded or suffered some kind of kidney ailment.
Officials are unsure why bin Laden chose now to speak. Perhaps he has recovered from an injury, or at last felt secure enough in his location to put out a message to his followers.
He also refers to the ongoing US-Iraqi conflict, and may have spoken in anticipation of a coming war.
