New tape believed authentic, acceptance of Sharon withdrawal plan urged

U.S. BELIEVES NEW BIN LADEN TAPE IS AUTHENTIC

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters April 15 that the U.S. intelligence community confirmed that the voice on a recent audio tape urging European nations to withdraw their forces from Afghanistan and Iraq is probably that of al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

According to news reports, the purported bin Laden tape was recently aired on the al Arabiya and al Jazeera channels. It offered a truce to European countries if they will withdraw troops from Muslim nations, but it vowed to continue fighting the United States and Israel. The tape also said the March 11 bombing of a train in Madrid, Spain, that killed 191 people was retaliation for Spain's role in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"I think it is a clear reminder that we are still at war on terrorism," said McClellan. "If you look at the audio tape and the remarks he [bin Laden] made, terrorists will use any excuse to carry out attacks on innocent men, women, and children."

Asked for President Bush's reaction to the tape, McClellan said, "The coalition in Iraq has shown their commitment to following through on what we are working to help the Iraqi people realize, and that is a free and peaceful future."

PALESTINIANS URGED TO ACCEPT SHARON WITHDRAWAL PLAN

Asked about Palestinian reaction to Bush's acceptance of a recent proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the White House spokesman said, "The president said that this represents a real opportunity to move forward toward a viable, democratic state for the Palestinian people."

At an April 14 White House meeting with Sharon, Bush welcomed the prime minister's plan to begin removing Israeli military installations and settlements from Gaza and the West Bank.

McClellan noted that the administration continues to work on the Sharon plan with all parties, including other members of the Quartet -- the United Nations, Russia and the European Union -- and Arab nations.

"We have remained in consultation with all parties," McClellan said. "The president remains committed to the two-state vision that he outlined and remains committed to the road map as the best way to achieve that two-state vision.

"This is a historic step, that Israel will be withdrawing from Gaza and withdrawing from parts of the West Bank," said McClellan. "And that represents an opportunity to open the door for progress toward a Palestinian state."

U.S. WELCOMES U.N. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IRAQ

The press secretary told reporters that Bush welcomes the recommendations of the United Nations and its envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, "to help the Iraqi people move forward on the transfer of sovereignty by June 30."

"This is part of our efforts to work with Iraqi leaders and the United Nations, who we believe should continue to play a vital role on moving forward on a brighter future for the Iraqi people," McClellan said.

BUSH WELCOMES ICELAND LEADER'S SUPPORT IN WAR ON TERROR

"The president thanked Iceland's Prime Minister David Oddsson for his strong support in Iraq and for his strong support in the war on terrorism," the press secretary said of the president's April 15 phone conversation with the prime minister, who was at the United Nations in New York. "Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment and determination to support the Iraqi people in their efforts to move from tyranny to freedom."

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)