Speech from GSPC Commander in Algeria: "We are Coming"
By Evan Kohlmann
The Algerian Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat (GSPC)--the dominant Al-Qaida sub-group active in North Africa--has released a new videotaped speech of its leader Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud dated January 3 and titled, "We are Coming." Directing his first message to Al-Qaida leader Usama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, Wadoud beseeched, "only Allah knows how much we miss you, and how hard it is for us to be far from you. In the name of Allah, if we could be carried by birds, we would come to you. We remember you in our hearts and visualize you in our minds. We ask Allah to reunite us after missing you for so long." While addressing Bin Laden, Wadoud likewise declared, "We are eagerly awaiting your instructions and orders regarding the next phase." The GSPC commander further challenged the notion that the Algerian jihad has collapsed, indicating that Islamist fighters are still continuing their war against the Bouteflika government in Algeria. According to Wadoud--rather than laying down its arms under a proposed amnesty agreement--the GSPC has in fact managed to recently acquire substantial new "stores of weapons and ammunition."
Click to view English transcript of Wadoud speech c/o Globalterroralert.com