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  Video: Zarqawi threatens Iraqi Govt participants

The man accused of masterminding Al Qaeda operations in Iraq has appeared on a video tape chiding George Bush and threatening Iraqis involved in the new government, which he says is an 'agent establishment'. Abu Musab Al Zarqawi is blamed for bombings, and a series of kidnaps and murders in Iraq, including the beheading of American Nicholas Berg.

Lateline- ABC - Australia - 04/26/06

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Zarqawi threatens Iraqi Govt participants

Reporter: Stephen McDonnell

TONY JONES: The man accused of masterminding al Qaeda operations in Iraq has appeared on a video tape chiding George Bush and threatening Iraqis involved in the new government, which he says is an 'agent of the establishment'. Abu Musab al Zarqawi is blamed for bombings, and a series of kidnaps and murders in Iraq, including the beheading of American Nicholas Berg. Al-Zarqawi has kept a low profile recently, prompting some commentators to suggest he may have fled the country, or even be dead. In a moment, I'll talk to one of those commentators, journalist Robert Fisk. But first, this report from Stephen McDonell.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is not dead. In a tape released today he's seen alive and making threats to President Bush.

ABU MUSAB al ZARQAWI: TRANSLATION: Why don't you tell them about the mass desertions of your soldiers and increased rebellion about your soldiers? Big liar. Know we will sacrifice our blood and bodies to prevent you from achieving your dreams and what is coming is harder and more bitter, God willing.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: As a young man al-Zarqawi went to jail twice. First for drug possession and sexual assault and then 10 years later, for plotting to overthrow the Jordanian government. In jail he was exposed to radical Islam, lifted weights to build up his body and tried to learn the Koran off by heart. But most of the world first heard of al-Zarqawi when US Secretary of State Colin Powell used him as part of the justification for the invasion of Iraq.

COLIN POWELL, FORMER US SECRETARY OF STATE: Iraq today harbours a deadly terrorist network headed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, an associate and collaborator of Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda lieutenants.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: We now know what Colin Powell said was wrong. Al Zarqawi, a Jordanian, was in Iraq but at that stage not officially linked to al-Qaeda or commanding great influence. In what is seen as a self-fulfilling prophecy, the invasion of Iraq has made both of those things true. The more he's been blamed for terrorist attacks, the more would-be Jihadists have flaked to his side and in December 2004, bin Laden declared him the Emir of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The United States Government has since blamed him for multiple bombings and killings in Iraq. There's a $33 million bounty on his head, yet he was never seen leading to speculation that al-Zarqawi was already dead or fled the country. Today he made an unprecedented appearance on video threatening to bring an end to what he called the rotten democracy game in Iraq.

RICHARD CLARKE, FORMER US COUNTER-TERRORISM CHIEF: This indicates that the rumours that he had left the country are untrue. It does not, however, disapprove the rumours that he has been demoted to being just a military commander and no longer a political figure.

ABU MUSAB al ZARQAWI: TRANSLATION: We repeat our warning to whoever is trying to form the army and police apparatus which were established to implement the occupation plans and rule against what God has ordered. We warn those who join these agent establishments.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: Al-Zarqawi is thought to have been the man who appeared on a video beheading kidnapped American Nicholas Berg. He is blamed for organising a series of other kidnappings and killings and apart from Osama bin Laden, he's America's most wanted man.

GEORGE W BUSH, US PRESIDENT: Zarqawi. Zarqawi is the best evidence of connection to al-Qaeda affiliates and al-Qaeda.

GEORGE JOFFE, INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY: I think in some respects he's become a symbol and as a symbol, of course it's a very convenient way of personalising terrorism and making it more dramatic in terms of the media.

STEPHEN McDONNELL: Embattled US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld made a top-secret visit to Iraq to meet US commanders. General George Casey said the choice of Iraq's new government leaders is a major step toward a substantial US troop withdrawal. Stephen McDonnell, Lateline.

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