Timed Release

Posted: Saturday, December 29, 2007 4:14 PM by Daily Nightly Editor

by Lester Holt, NBC News anchor

If there is one thing we have all learned since September 11th, 2001, it is that it is extraordinarily difficult to read the tea leaves when it comes to al Qaeda. When is a message just a message and not a coded attack signal? When is a threat generic and not a countdown to a specific attack?

Osama bin Laden has surfaced today with yet another audiotape. In this one he warns Iraq's Sunni Arabs against fighting al Qaeda, and he unleashes threats of holy war against Israel. As is usual, the experts will analyze the tape to determine its authenticity, when it was recorded (the only date references appear to be September of this year), and if there are any hidden meanings.

Whether by design or coincidence, however, the timing of the tape serves to remind us why the United States is so concerned about the political situation in Pakistan. Benazir Bhutto was widely admired by policy makers in this country and her death would have been major news no matter what the circumstances. The fact is, the United States government wanted her back in Pakistan to help stabilize a country that is critical to the war against al Qaeda. When the question is asked "where is Osama likely hiding?” the answer invariably is "somewhere in the tribal border areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.” A stable, cooperative Pakistani government is necessary for the U.S. to continue the hunt for bin Laden and his associates. If the death of Benazir Bhutto, possibly at the hands of al Qaeda, didn't remind us of that, this latest tape from bin Laden does.

Tonight on Nightly News, NBC's Ned Colt will report from Pakistan on more violent reaction to the death of Mrs. Bhutto, while here in New York, our Middle East bureau chief Richard Engel, who happens to be home for the holidays, will join me to talk about the significance of this new bin Laden tape.

Also on Nightly News tonight, we'll look at the rising number of police officers being killed in the line of duty. And it is how many of them are being killed that you may find surprising. Pat Dawson is working that story for us.

Next time a grocery store clerk asks you "paper or plastic?" you may have a different answer after seeing Kerry Sanders's story on what he found far out in the Pacific Ocean. Plus, who doesn't admire perfection? Tonight, millions may witness it in a sports broadcast unlike any seen before. We'll tell you what that's all about when we see you tonight for NBC Nightly News.'

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Comments

I was browsing the net and came accross http://www.fakepaycheckstubs.com IS THIS FOR REAL? LEGAL? no wonder why we have a subprime mess on our hands!!!

dman san jose california (Sent Saturday, December 29, 2007 6:12 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Holt, Always wonderful to see Richard in the studio! Always great insight into the events into the Middle East by him. You do a great job Richard and it is wonderful you are home in New York for the holidays! Now on to the broadcast. First regarding the report by Mr.Colt on the violence in Pakistan after Bhutto's assasination. The people of the country are angry with the government for possibly being at fault for the incident and they are mourning a person who could have helped their country against terrorism. Musharraf ordering strong action to stop the rioting may have some effect,but his support from the people is declining. The future of this country was resting in large part on the elections and if Bhutto had lived and been elected she could have brought about a positive future for the country. Now that future is really in question and whether those elections are even going to be held. The one thing from the report that seemed good was the opening of businesses because the people need to live their daily lives. Richard's insight on the Bhutto assasination was very interesting. Richard stating that there were two attacks one that killed Bhutto and another earlier attack against a political rival that happened to divert some of the security for Bhutto away from her was something I had not heard. As Richard stated this was a very coordinated effort and certainly the terror group was determined to achieve their goal. When Richard spoke about the Bin Laden tape released today he said it was a "weaker message" and possibly he may have not as much of a stronghold in Iraq. This may be causing the terror group to move into other regions like Pakistan to cause more destruction. I certainly hope someday this terror leader is caught because this group has made the Middle East so very tumultuous and across the world. I hope there will be a day when this group will no longer exist, but it will take a long time. Finally, the report by Mr.Sanders about the plastic in the Pacific Ocean and the marine life being caught in this garbage in disturbing and really shows how mankind effects the environment. Seeing Mr.Sanders in that water and then diving down under the surface made me think about what he was seeing and how uninviting that water looked. Something to think about the next time one throws away plastic. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Holt. Great to see you Richard, first on Weekend Today and then again this evening! Always fine reporting Richard!! Peace to you Richard and Mr.Holt! Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Saturday, December 29, 2007 7:44 PM)

President Bush has always said there's not Global Warming until now. With all his failures he now picks the environment. I guess he wants a Nobel Peace Prize now. Bush's legacy is his failure in Iraq and the Middle East.

It was good to see that the Pakistan people didn't fall for that story told of how Mrs. Bhutto was killed. Americans believed the story of JFK's magic bullet assassination but the Pakistan people were wise.
Now both parties that once were against each other are joining together against Musharraf. That's bad news for the White House as they wont have a puppet in Pakistan. As Hillary Clinton the only candidate dealing right now with the Pakistan problem. All the other candidates on both parties are clue less as how to handle this. Hillary has experience in Foreign Policy and knows the players. Let's hope the people of Iowa and New Hampshire realize we need her as the Bush Administration gave Pakistan Nukes.

I notice Bin Laden's tape come out on a as needed bases. No pictures just the speech. Also what's really strange is Bin Laden is sounding more American then the original tape after 9/11. Let's hope who ever is making these tapes take note of that mistake. The last one with the fake picture was to funny. Bin Laden doesn't have to do anything to the United States. The Bush Administration is destroying this country all by themselves, as the American people sit back and watch. If a person breaks a glass the Homeland Security said Al Qaeda did it. It seems Al Qaeda gets blame for everything even when it's not them. I guess just the name is good enough to put fear in Americans. It worked for two term for Bush maybe it will work again as Americans will believe.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Saturday, December 29, 2007 11:56 PM)

I think we all know that Bush doesn't care about the PEOPLE of Pakistan, he only cares about getting the country on our side to keep his war for oil and greed going. I have a personal stake in this, my family is over in Rawalpindi now. I truly care about my family and the people of that country and also want to go there as soon as all these attacks cease. We need to all get together and DO someting for Pakistan's people, not just for their policies towards us. I wish that I could get into the armed forces but I have multiple health problems that they will not let me into the forces. I manage to keep myself healthier than alot of people that ARE let into the army, but just because I have diabetes, I am not allowed in.

I have always had an interest in Asian countries, especially India and Pakistan ever since I was a child, and wanted to visit Asia. This war has made my dreams of going there impossible and made my family's safety a deep concern. I pray for the people of Pakistan and also India and Afghanistan and Iraq, all of the countries affected by this war and pray that they will all be safe.

Connie Nawaz Waukesha WI USA (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 12:34 AM)

Lester: define perfection. I'm a lifelong & die hard member of Patriots' Nation who remembers the lethargic days of the 80's and early 90's. While I am thoroughly psyched that the team is now 16-0, I am not entirely sure I'd call it perfection. It is truly an accomplishment to reach such a record, but unless you're a tried & true fan, you probably don't understand the significance of all their heart-stopping mistakes or the nail biting the opponents have given during the second half of the season.

Having said that, last night's game was worth staying up past my bedtime. It was very exciting. The Giants gave it everything they had, and they played exceptionally great football for the first 45 minutes of the game. The Patriots' perfect record is a great thing to celebrate, but doing it without much resistance isn't much fun. Keeping the fans guessing.... now there's a mystery worth watching!

Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 6:52 AM)

Mr. Holt
Are you going to have some time off soon? You do a wonderful job at both the Today Show and filling in for Mr. Williams but really, I hope you have some time off coming soon.

Amanda - Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 1:17 PM)

Any Chance that last night's(Sat.)edition will be posted on the web or net catched.It was not showen here that I know of the L.A. Market.

Deloy Sterns, Irvine,CA (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 6:56 PM)

Lester -

You have done yeoman duty as Brian's replacement - the news didn't go on vacation, did it. I hope that when Brian returns, you will get to have some time with your family - you deserve it.

Oops, I forgot - is Brian going to Iowa?

Joan Chapman, Cheshire CT. (Sent Monday, December 31, 2007 10:35 AM)

Since I can't vote in either Iowa or New Hampshire, I'm only slightly interested in the political campaigning there. Could you all ease up a little on the media coverage and, on the day of the caucuses and/or election, just let us know who won?

Betty, Buda, Texas (Sent Tuesday, January 01, 2008 2:08 AM)

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