• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Translation of Osama's speech - no salt needed

Dorian Gray

Hypocrisy Detector
Joined
Nov 15, 2002
Messages
20,366
It's from a person who works for CNN, senior editor for Arab affairs Octavia Nasr. If you don't think she (or he?) translated it correctly, feel free to give us your version.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/10/29/bin.laden.transcript/index.html
You, the American people, I talk to you today about the best way to avoid another catastrophe and about war, its reasons and its consequences.

And in that regard, I say to you that security is an important pillar of human life, and that free people do not compromise their security.

Contrary to what [President George W.] Bush says and claims -- that we hate freedom --let him tell us then, "Why did we not attack Sweden?" It is known that those who hate freedom don't have souls with integrity, like the souls of those 19. May the mercy of God be upon them.

We fought with you because we are free, and we don't put up with transgressions. We want to reclaim our nation. As you spoil our security, we will do so to you.

I wonder about you. Although we are ushering the fourth year after 9/11, Bush is still exercising confusion and misleading you and not telling you the true reason. Therefore, the motivations are still there for what happened to be repeated.

And I will talk to you about the reason for those events, and I will be honest with you about the moments the decision was made so that you can ponder. And I tell you, God only knows, that we never had the intentions to destroy the towers.

But after the injustice was so much and we saw transgressions and the coalition between Americans and the Israelis against our people in Palestine and Lebanon, it occurred to my mind that we deal with the towers. And these special events that directly and personally affected me go back to 1982 and what happened when America gave permission for Israel to invade Lebanon. And assistance was given by the American sixth fleet.

During those crucial moments, my mind was thinking about many things that are hard to describe. But they produced a feeling to refuse and reject injustice, and I had determination to punish the transgressors.

And as I was looking at those towers that were destroyed in Lebanon, it occurred to me that we have to punish the transgressor with the same -- and that we had to destroy the towers in America so that they taste what we tasted, and they stop killing our women and children.

We found no difficulties in dealing with the Bush administration, because of the similarities of that administration and the regimes in our countries, half of which are run by the military and half of which are run by monarchs. And our experience is vast with them.

And those two kinds are full of arrogance and taking money illegally.

The resemblance started when [former President George H.W.] Bush, the father, visited the area, when some of our own were impressed by America and were hoping that the visits would affect and influence our countries.

Then, what happened was that he was impressed by the monarchies and the military regimes, and he was jealous of them staying in power for tens of years, embezzling the public money without any accountability. And he moved the tyranny and suppression of freedom to his own country, and they called it the Patriot Act, under the disguise of fighting terrorism. And Bush, the father, found it good to install his children as governors and leaders.

We agreed with the leader of the group, Mohammed Atta, to perform all attacks within 20 minutes before [President George W.] Bush and his administration were aware of what was going on. And we never knew that the commander-in-chief of the American armed forces would leave 50,000 of his people in the two towers to face those events by themselves when they were in the most urgent need of their leader.

He was more interested in listening to the child's story about the goat rather than worry about what was happening to the towers. So, we had three times the time necessary to accomplish the events.

Your security is not in the hands of [Democratic presidential nominee John] Kerry or Bush or al Qaeda. Your security is in your own hands. Any nation that does not attack us will not be attacked.

I report. You decide.

Edit to add: Although I would like to know what he means by "us" and "our nation". He said "our people in Palestine and Lebanon" - perhaps he means "Muslims"? But then he says "We found no difficulties in dealing with the Bush administration, because of the similarities of that administration and the regimes in our countries, half of which are run by the military and half of which are run by monarchs. And our experience is vast with them." - which implies that he differentiates between Muslims themselves and regimes in Muslim nations. He ALSO says "We agreed with the leader of the group Mohammed Atta" which implies yet another possible meaning of "we/us."

One thing is clear, though: Osama indicated that the attacks wouldn't have been as successful if Bush had been more diligent and quicker to act.
 
What sticks out for me is that when Osama uses the word "freedom", he does not mean it in the sense that we mean it, at least not honestly. In his view, Afghanistan under the Taliban had "freedom". Just like his use of the word "peace". It's like that line from the Princess Bride: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

He also seems to have watched a lot of Micheal Moore. Aside from the pet goat thing, he also pulls the old trick of fudging with the timeline. The PATRIOT act was a response to 9/11, not a precursor, and it got passed under Bush 2, not Bush 1. Not exactly a coherent argument on that point.

So short summary: nothing in this statement can be taken at face value.

Edit to add: Here's a slightly different translation:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...RPTS?SITE=CATOR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
I'm not sure which one is more accurate, but this one suggests bin Laden didn't quite understand the goat thing:
"It appeared to him (Bush) that a little girl's talk about her goat and its butting was more important than the planes and their butting of the skyscrapers."
 
Aside from Al Jazeera - which always seems to air Bin Laden's speeches in their entirety - anyone who watches CNN or went to the newsstand this morning is reminded that Osama is much more saavy at PR than the U.S. government. ;)
 
Lousey translation. My corrections are bold

You, the American people, I talk to you today about the best way to avoid another catastrophe and about war, its reasons and its consequences.

America! John Kerry paid me to say this!

And in that regard, I say to you that security is an important pillar of human life, and that free people do not compromise their security.

He asked me to come back from the Amalfi Coast to show you decadent bastards that I am alive and well

Contrary to what [President George W.] Bush says and claims -- that we hate freedom --let him tell us then, "Why did we not attack Sweden?" It is known that those who hate freedom don't have souls with integrity, like the souls of those 19. May the mercy of God be upon them.

Personally, I think 'freedom-shmeedom". Now that I am famous I have chicks and a production deal

We fought with you because we are free, and we don't put up with transgressions. We want to reclaim our nation. As you spoil our security, we will do so to you.

It is good to be the king. I whistle and I can get idiots to blow themselves up. If truth be told, we should be blowing up France, arrogant bastards. You note they just kidnapped Arafat. Well, small loss

I wonder about you. Although we are ushering the fourth year after 9/11, Bush is still exercising confusion and misleading you and not telling you the true reason. Therefore, the motivations are still there for what happened to be repeated.

Am I the only one who notices that beard of his? By the Prophet's nose hairs he is an affront to all men of the Book. In counterpoint look at my beard!! I have actually trained my nose hairs to make my mustache thicker

And I will talk to you about the reason for those events, and I will be honest with you about the moments the decision was made so that you can ponder. And I tell you, God only knows, that we never had the intentions to destroy the towers.

Do ya think I'm sexy? Anyhoo, that tower thing? Sorry. It's probably too late to explain but I really told them "Arches" not "towers".

But after the injustice was so much and we saw transgressions and the coalition between Americans and the Israelis against our people in Palestine and Lebanon, it occurred to my mind that we deal with the towers. And these special events that directly and personally affected me go back to 1982 and what happened when America gave permission for Israel to invade Lebanon. And assistance was given by the American sixth fleet.

You see, McDonald's Burgers give me gas and I determined that, by the Camel like scrotum of the Prophet, I would rid the world of this affront. Atta, and the others, they were you know, really not quite right. Well, how right can someone be who would commit suicide on my say so

During those crucial moments, my mind was thinking about many things that are hard to describe. But they produced a feeling to refuse and reject injustice, and I had determination to punish the transgressors.

So my Arabic is not that hot, neither was theirs. "Arches" became "Towers". Sh!t happens, you know?

And as I was looking at those towers that were destroyed in Lebanon, it occurred to me that we have to punish the transgressor with the same -- and that we had to destroy the towers in America so that they taste what we tasted, and they stop killing our women and children.

But I am well, all things considered. I gotta say, 72 Virgins here and now beats 72 in the hereafter, and I should know. Anyway, you are supposed to think that I am braying some stuff that will get you scared and will make you vote for John.

We found no difficulties in dealing with the Bush administration, because of the similarities of that administration and the regimes in our countries, half of which are run by the military and half of which are run by monarchs. And our experience is vast with them.

He assures me that the commie, left wing press in your country will "translate" in a way beneficial to him. All the same to me. As long as that DNC check clears. :)

And those two kinds are full of arrogance and taking money illegally.

If JK wins, he promises me that the next time we get together he will fix me up with J Lo. We'll see

The resemblance started when [former President George H.W.] Bush, the father, visited the area, when some of our own were impressed by America and were hoping that the visits would affect and influence our countries.

God, that Kerry guy is ugly. He makes Arafat look like a Greek God. Have any of you seen him up close?

Then, what happened was that he was impressed by the monarchies and the military regimes, and he was jealous of them staying in power for tens of years, embezzling the public money without any accountability. And he moved the tyranny and suppression of freedom to his own country, and they called it the Patriot Act, under the disguise of fighting terrorism. And Bush, the father, found it good to install his children as governors and leaders.

Gotta go now. The cheap bastards only paid for 15 minutes and the Virgins are awaitin'. Talk about cheap. They sent some burlap from Pier 1 for my backdrop and this cheesy gold thing for me to wear as a robe. It look like Kerry swiped it from a hooker. Some things never change.
 
Ziggurat said:
So short summary: nothing in this statement can be taken at face value.
What? You don't say? Because there I was lapping up every word the world's most wanted mass murderer was saying, until you opened my eyes for me. Cheers.
 
AWPrime said:
retranslation -> America! Bush paid me to say this!
;)

I could have gone either way. Kerry just seems to share facial features with Ozzy so I thought he was funnier.
 
Has anyone seen this yet?

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/33063.htm

FULL TAPE AN OSAMA A WOE SHOW

October 31, 2004 -- Osama bin Laden doesn't seem nearly so cocky in the unedited version of a videotape aired on al-Jazeera, complaining that the manhunt against him has hampered al Qaeda. AFP/Getty ImagesBin Laden the impotent / Opinion: Page 27 Osama bin Laden's newest tape may have thrust him to the forefront of the presidential election, but what was not seen was the cave-dwelling terror lord talking about the setbacks al Qaeda has faced in recent months.
Officials said that in the 18-minute long tape — of which only six minutes were aired on the al-Jazeera Arab television network in the Middle East on Friday — bin Laden bemoans the recent democratic elections in Afghanistan and the lack of violence involved with it.

On the tape, bin Laden also says his terror organization has been hurt by the U.S. military's unrelenting manhunt for him and his cohorts on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

A portion of the left-out footage includes a tirade aimed at President Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, claiming the war in Iraq is purely over oil.

The tape also sparked some concern that an attack aimed at disrupting Tuesday's election may be planned.

But those who have seen the tape have said there was no specific information regarding an attack.

"We are taking this very seriously," said one counterterrorism official. "This is cause for great concern and we are certainly going on higher alert because of this."

The Terrorist Threat Integration Center, a joint FBI-CIA intelligence-gathering organization, has drawn up possible attack scenarios for officials to look out for — based on information gathered from communication intercepts and interviews with al Qaeda detainees.
 
Dorian Gray said:
It's from a person who works for CNN, senior editor for Arab affairs Octavia Nasr. If you don't think she (or he?) translated it correctly, feel free to give us your version.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/10/29/bin.laden.transcript/index.html


I report. You decide.

Edit to add: Although I would like to know what he means by "us" and "our nation". He said "our people in Palestine and Lebanon" - perhaps he means "Muslims"? But then he says "We found no difficulties in dealing with the Bush administration, because of the similarities of that administration and the regimes in our countries, half of which are run by the military and half of which are run by monarchs. And our experience is vast with them." - which implies that he differentiates between Muslims themselves and regimes in Muslim nations. He ALSO says "We agreed with the leader of the group Mohammed Atta" which implies yet another possible meaning of "we/us."

One thing is clear, though: Osama indicated that the attacks wouldn't have been as successful if Bush had been more diligent and quicker to act.
I generally enjoy your posts Dorian, so don't get me wrong, but I could give a ◊◊◊◊ what this sociopath has to say. I know there's a tape, and I know that analysis after analysis has dwelt upon how clear-minded the O-man seems to be, but hey, Ted Bundy fit real nice into society too.

So I don't really want to know what an actual translation of his words were, because I already know what he's all about. Aside from his admission that he was behind the attacks of 2001, I don't think people should be allowing themselves to be played like a fiddle by his little media show. His goals and dreams are almost certainly not what he states them to be. . .
 
Re: Re: Translation of Osama's speech - no salt needed

SlippyToad said:
I generally enjoy your posts Dorian, so don't get me wrong, but I could give a ◊◊◊◊ what this sociopath has to say. I know there's a tape, and I know that analysis after analysis has dwelt upon how clear-minded the O-man seems to be, but hey, Ted Bundy fit real nice into society too.

So I don't really want to know what an actual translation of his words were, because I already know what he's all about. Aside from his admission that he was behind the attacks of 2001, I don't think people should be allowing themselves to be played like a fiddle by his little media show. His goals and dreams are almost certainly not what he states them to be. . .

However other people will care. That makes it of some interest. How are those who support bin larden going to react to to this? It is helpful to have some idea what they will have heard.
 
Re: Re: Re: Translation of Osama's speech - no salt needed

geni said:
However other people will care. That makes it of some interest. How are those who support bin larden going to react to to this? It is helpful to have some idea what they will have heard.
Except that he's pretty clearly addressing us. And if he is, I sure would like him to know that I am not listening, and the next time I want to see him talk fast, it will be chained to a bench in front of a judge.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Translation of Osama's speech - no salt needed

SlippyToad said:
Except that he's pretty clearly addressing us. And if he is, I sure would like him to know that I am not listening, and the next time I want to see him talk fast, it will be chained to a bench in front of a judge.

Us? He does nor mention the name of my country or a single uk citerzen once.

Now have a look at that from the prespective of a bin larden supporter. He compares the leaders of the arab world to the leaders to the great satan. Once again he tries to potray the conflict as part of a wider conflict with the arab world by mentioning lebanon.
 

Back
Top Bottom