November 19, 2002

U.S. intelligence officials believe an audiotape purported to be a recording by Osama bin Laden is both authentic and recent, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

Speaking at the White House daily briefing November 18, McClellan said that although intelligence officials "can't make a 100 percent conclusion," they believe the tape is genuine and "was made in the last several weeks."

The tape includes threats of further terrorist activity against the United States and its allies and mentions recent terrorist attacks, such as the killing of a USAID official in Amman, and a nightclub bombing in Bali.

"[I]t's a reminder that we are at war on terrorism. It's a reminder that we need to continue doing everything we can to go after these terrorist networks and their leaders wherever they are, and we will," said McClellan.

"It will be a long, difficult war, as the President has indicated from the get-go. But we will not tire in our pursuit, and we will continue to pursue these people, these people who seek to harm America, our friends and our allies, wherever they are," he said.