<HTML>I might merely add that, in my reading of this interview, Bin Laden of course appeals to American actions as justifications for his actions -- he can hardly say that he is the aggressor. Hoever, his religious agenda against unbelievers and the traditional enemy of the West (whom he calls "crusaders" at one stage) shines through as the basis of everything he does.
And it completely skews his thinking. Take the claim that America invaded and occupied sacred Muslim soil and defiled the sacred symbols in Saudi Arabia in 1990-91. It will be remembered, as a matter of fact, that the Saudis were terrified that Iraq would continue through Kuwait into Saudi territory and that Allied forces in Saudi Arabia were welcomed as protectors of Saudi sovereignty (were they, indeed, invited?).
Yet, for Bin Laden, this is American aggression in action and a huge motivating factor in targeting America as the enemy.
Go figure.
Garrett</HTML>
