THE United States dismissed on Wednesday terrorist organisation al-Qaeda’s ”chilling challenge” to all Muslims to join a jihad, or holy war, against America. Secretary of State Colin Powell told NBC’s Today show the United States would meet the challenge from Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network which warned the United States would face further attacks by hijacked planes in a jihad against the nation. ”It’s a chilling challenge. But I assure you we will meet that challenge. We will pursue this campaign until that spokesman will no longer have any reason to make such boasts,” Powell said in response to comments by al-Qaeda spokesman Abu Ghaith. Ghaith issued the call to jihad in Arabic in a pre-recorded message broadcast by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera satellite television station on Wednesday. – Sapa-AFP
Tuesday October 9, 2001