NEW : the United States counterterrorism official : The message 's effect on the hostages ' fate is unclear . NEW : The message is an `` in your face '' signal that Osama bin Laden is still out there , the official says . The audiotape believed to be from bin Laden was aired on Taliban television . Another counterterrorism official said he would not discuss whether it was in fact bin Laden on the latest tape other than to say , `` there has never been a recording that has been false '' about its claim to be him . The speaker says the release of 3,750 journalists hinges on a French troop withdrawal .
NEW : the United States counterterrorism official : The message 's effect on the hostages ' fate is unclear . NEW : The message is an `` in your face '' signal that Osama bin Laden is still out there , the official says . The audiotape believed to be from bin Laden was aired on Taliban television . The speaker says the release of 3,750 journalists hinges on a French troop withdrawal .