An audio tape confirmed to carry the voice of Osama bin Laden warns that al Qaeda is preparing new attacks on the United States, but also offers the opportunity for "a long-term truce."
The taped statement, aired on the Arab television network Al Jazeera, says plans for the terror attacks are under way.
U.S. intelligence analysts have authenticated the tape as a genuine message from bin Laden, according to an CIA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters.
The voice says the reason there has been no attack in the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001, was not because of heightened security measures, but because operations in the U.S. "need preparations."
"Our mujahedeen were able to overcome all the security measures in European countries and you saw their operation in major European capitals. As for similar operations taking place in America, it's only a matter of time. You will see them in the heart of your land as soon as the planning is complete."
The tape also says al Qaeda is open to a conditional truce with the Americans to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Based on what I have said, it is better not to fight the Muslims on their land. We do not mind offering you a truce that is fair and long-term. ... So we can build Iraq and Afghanistan ... there is no shame in this solution because it prevents wasting of billions of dollars ... to merchants of war."
Washington quickly rejected the truce offer made on the tape.
"We do not negotiate with terrorists. We put them out of business," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters Thursday.
The tape, which Al Jazeera says was recorded in December, also cites American opinion polls, saying most Americans want U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq.
"Your President Bush has been misleading you. He has lied when he said that the people are behind him. Opinion polls have indicated that the overwhelming majority of you want him to pull the troops out of our land."
The audio tape is the first time bin Laden has been heard from since he released two audio tapes in December 2004.
The first of those messages mentioned the attack on the U.S. Consul offices in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier that month that left five people dead.
The second message heard bin Laden announcing the appointment of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq.
