Al Qaeda Threatens More Attacks on D.C., New York
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Word today of another threat, possibly from al Qaeda, days after a tape recording purported to be from Osama bin Laden was broadcast on the al Jazeera TV network. A new communique was sent to them, a six page letter threatening more attacks on Washington and New York. Here's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.</s>SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Another possible message from Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, a six page document delivered to journalist Yosri Fouda, a reporter for the Arabic TV network al Jazeera, who's landed exclusive interviews with two top al Qaeda leaders. The document contains veiled threats directed at Americans and its allies. It says "stop your support for Israel against the Palestinians, for Russians against the Chechens (and) leave us alone or expect us in Washington and New York." It also contains a reference to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "You are placing Muslims under siege in Iraq, where children die every day. Oh, how weird that you don't care for 1.5 million children who died under siege, but when 3,000 of your companions died, the whole world was shaken." CNN could not independently confirm that the document came from al Qaeda. The purported message comes at a time when U.N. weapons inspectors are preparing to begin their work in Iraq. And President Bush is fending all criticism that his war on terror has produced disappointing results. Critics point to an audio tape apparently of Osama bin Laden that recently aired on al Jazeera, which suggests the terrorist is still alive and poised to attack again.</s>SEN TOM DASCHLE (D), MAJORITY LEADER: Now the president laid down that criteria a year ago, when he said we will be judged by whether or not we find bin Laden dead or alive. Well, by that criteria, we haven't made a lot of progress.</s>MALVEAUX: That suggestion has clearly put the White House on the defensive.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (voice-over): Our war against terrorists and their supporters is advancing on all fronts. We're moving aggressively to protect our people and to oppose a great threat to the peace of the world.</s>MALVEAUX: This weekend, the White House released a fact sheet highlighting the administration's accomplishments in the war on terror. (on camera): President Bush will make his case for the war in terror this week, when he meets with at least a dozen world leaders at the NATO Summit in Eastern Europe. Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.