May 22 2003

A translation of the text of a purported audio tape by Osama bin Laden's top aide, Ayman al-Zawahri, aired by Qatar-based al-Jazeera television:

"Protests, demonstrations and conferences are of no use to you. The only thing that will benefit you is carrying arms and spiting your enemies, the Americans and Jews.

"Protests will not protect threatened sanctities, will not evict the occupying enemy and will not deter the stubborn tyrants. The crusaders and the Jews only understand the language of murder and bloodshed and are only convinced by coffins, destroyed interests, burning towers and a shattered economy.

"Be strong, O Muslims, and attack the missions of the United States, the UK, Australia and Norway and their interests, companies and employees. Turn the ground beneath their feet into an inferno and kick them out of your countries. Do not allow the United States, the UK, Australia, Norway and other crusaders - the murderers of your Iraqi brothers - to live in your countries and enjoy their wealth and spread corruption.

"Consider your 19 brothers who attacked America with their aeroplanes in New York and Washington and who spited them in an unprecedented manner. It (America) is still suffering from its wounds until today.

"O Iraqi people, we have defeated those crusaders several times before and kicked them out of our countries and sanctities. Know that you are not alone in this battle. Your brother mujahideen (holy fighters) are following the enemies as well and are lying in wait for them.

"The mujahideen in Palestine, Afghanistan, Chechnya and even in the heart of America and the West are making the crusaders taste all forms of death. The next few days will reveal to you news that will gladden your hearts, God willing.

"After the division of Iraq will come the turn of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Pakistan ... so that nothing will be left around Israel except torn fragments of so-called countries which follow and are subjects of America and Israel.

"These are the truths becoming clear before you, O Muslims, and all the masks have fallen ... For here are the Muslim rulers with their airports, bases and facilities who allow ships to use their waters and provide them with fuel, food and supplies. They allow planes to use their airspace, and to actually fly from their airports, and welcome the criminal troops to attack Iraq from their land.

"For here is Saudi Arabia with planes flying from its Rafha airport, and Kuwait where the criminal troops advance from its land, and Qatar where the command for the campaign is, and Bahrain with the US Fifth Fleet, and Egypt with warships using its canal, and Yemen supplying crusader vessels at its ports, and Jordan where crusader troops have deployed and where Patriot batteries protect Israel.

"And after all this, they scream with all hypocrisy and treachery that they oppose the war on Iraq."