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October 29, 2004

A few days ago, the Drudge Report started posting stories about a videotape being held by ABC News. The tape features a supposed member of Al Qaida, making preelection threats against the US. An ABC producer was given the feed of the tape on Monday. ABC then contacted the FBI and CIA who have been unable to identify the speaker.

ABC has admitted that they have such a tape, but they say they can't determine if the tape involves a real threat. The man in the tape cannot be authenticated as an Al Qaida operative, according to ABC.

Drudge has been accusing ABC of not airing the tape for political reasons.

ABC is firing back today, saying they believe that the White House leaked the tape to Drudge in an effort to put pressure on ABC to air the tape:

One counterterrorism official said the tape shows the man "just ranting and raving." Another federal official with knowledge of the matter said that government agencies are pleased that ABC shared the tape and relieved that the network is not airing it while the video is still being evaluated. The CIA is examining the tape virtually day and night, this person said.

If the tape were aired, there would have to be a heightened terror alert in the days leading up to the election. The Bush Campaign/Administration obviously knows this and if they did leak to Drudge to pressure ABC, they did it against the wishes of our own counterterrorism people.

Gee...now why would they go and do something like that?

Update: The CIA says it can't authenticate the video

Posted by Carla at October 29, 2004 01:48 PM