Author:
Publication: The Sunday Statesman
Date: July 14, 2002
A cadre of militant Muslim leaders,
including some linked to Al-Qaida or accused by Washington of supporting
terrorism, held a conference yesterday to condemn the USA in a show of
defiance.
Among the speakers at the event
were Egyptian activist Yasser el-Sirri, who is facing extradition to. The
USA for allegedly sending o terror money to Afghanistan, and Abu Hamza
al-Masri, a cleric whose funds were frozen by the us treasury for his alleged
membership in Islamic Army of Aden. The organisation is linked to Osama
bin Laden's Al-Qaida network and claimed responsibility for the bombing
of the USS Cole in Yemen in October 2000, during which 17 American sailors
were killed.
In a speech, el-Sirri launched a
direct attack on US President George W. Bush as he complained about the
treatment of prisoners captured by the American military in Afghanistan
and held in Cuba.
"We should put Mr Bush on trial
as a war 'criminal for committing these violations," he said.
Al-Masri called the US Treasury
spiteful: "They are trying to shut me up. I'm one of ' he people who speaks
openly." Absent from the speaker list was Abu Qutadah, a Jordanian of Palestinian
descent who preached a violent brand of Islam in London until his disappearance
in February. But conference leaders said he was safe and had sent an e-mail
message saying victory was close at hands for Muslims.
Abu Qutadah, who uses several alias,
has been linked to Islamic militants in Jordan and Spain, and US intelligence
officials believe some of Sept. 11 hijackers were recruited at Abu Qutadah's
prayer circle. Zacarias Moussouai, the only person indicted in the USA
for the Sept. 11 attacks, was radicalised there, his brother has said.
