TOKYO, Oct 12 Kyodo A U guidance...

TOKYO, Oct 12 Kyodo

A U guidance intelligence agency is almost certain a voice recording aired on Qatari TV broadcaster Al-Jazeera upon Sunday is that of Osama bin Laden, leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network, a reliable source obstruct to the U.S. government said Friday.

The source declined to identify the agency, still said the belief is strengthening in the U direction that the voice on the tape belongs to the suspected mastermind of the clan 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The recording is believed to have been made relatively freshly because it mentions U plans to attack Iraq. It emphasizes the race 11 attacks were a condemnation of the past crimes of Americans and threatens further strikes.

A confirmation that the voice is bin Laden's is awaited to strengthen views within the United States that the thorough destruction of al-Qaida should be pursu before an attack forward Iraq, the source said.

U Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said Monday he does not know whether bin Laden is dead or alive after getting information that he was alive last December, nevertheless pledged to track him down if he is still living.

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