The transcript of an audio recording dated today appeared on a website known for militant Islamic messages.
“You know that America promised big rewards for those who kill mujahideen (holy warriors),” the transcript read.
“We in al-Qaeda organisation will guarantee, God willing, 10,000 grams of gold to whoever kills the occupier Bremer, or the American chief commander or his deputy in Iraq.” He was referring to Paul Bremer, the chief US administrator in Iraq, and top military officials.
The statement also promised the same reward for the deaths of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi.
Second prize
The statement promised a lesser prize – 1000 grams of gold – to anyone killing a citizen of countries it called “the masters of the veto like Americans and Britons” – a reference to nations with veto power on the UN Security Council.
And it offered 500 grams of gold to anyone killing citizens of countries it called “slaves of the Security Council who are in Iraq, like Japan and Italy”.
At today’s price on the London exchanges, 10,000 grams of gold was valued at $170,972, 1000 grams at $17,097 and 500 grams at $8548.
The statement was titled: “A Word from the emir of the Islamic armies, Osama, to the nation and especially to brotherly Muslims in Iraq.”
