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Bin Laden Threatens Europe

He says cartoons of Muhammad part of crusade against Islam

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2008 8:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – Osama bin Laden threatened Europe today with "severe" retaliation over the publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, the AP reports. The audio recording of bin Laden surfaced on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war, though he made no mention of it, and a day before the Muslim world celebrates Muhammad's birthday. One expert said the voice appeared to be bin Laden's, but he noted that it had no reference points to show when it was recorded.

"The response will be what you see and not what you hear," said the recording, which railed against an anti-Islam crusade and singled out the pope. The cartoons, showing Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban, originally appeared in a Danish newspaper in 2005. Papers in Denmark reprinted them last month, though the recording did not mention that. 

Osama bin Laden, seen in this file image,threatened to punish the European Union today over controversial cartoons of Muhammad.
Osama bin Laden, seen in this file image,threatened to punish the European Union today over controversial cartoons of Muhammad.   (AP Photo/via INTELCENTER)
This image released by al-Qaeda's media unit shows an undated photo of Osama bin Laden. It appeared on a web site with tonight's message.
This image released by al-Qaeda's media unit shows an undated photo of Osama bin Laden. It appeared on a web site with tonight's message.   (AP Photo)
Osama bin Laden, seen in this file photo, threatened the European Union today over cartoons of Muhammad.
Osama bin Laden, seen in this file photo, threatened the European Union today over cartoons of Muhammad.   (AP Photo/Rahimullah Yousafzai, File)
This undated photo shows Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.
This undated photo shows Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.   (AP Photo)
Students burn a Danish flag during a February protest in Karachi, Pakistan, after reports surfaced that Danish newspapers had republished cartoons of Muhammad.
Students burn a Danish flag during a February protest in Karachi, Pakistan, after reports surfaced that Danish newspapers had republished cartoons of Muhammad.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
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