Riddle of Bin Laden

Alive or dead, his warnings matter.

George Bush yesterday described an audiotaped message purportedly sent by Osama bin Laden as "timely". Quite what the US president meant by this remark is not clear. Yet if Bin Laden is proven by this sudden manifestation to be still alive and if the tape is authentic, then the timing is potentially troubling. It coincides with the UN security council's ultimatum to Iraq and a massive US military build-up in the Gulf that is opposed by anti-war majorities in most Arab and other Muslim countries. Possibly Mr Bush had this in mind; he seems to think of little else at present. But the tape also coincides with heightened fears of an al-Qaida attack in Britain, based in part on warnings from the FBI and foreign agencies and in part on unusually high, pre-September 11 levels of "electronic chatter".

Significantly, perhaps, the tape was particularly addressed to Europe and to other US allies. It could contain a code ordering new operations. Or it may simply be an effort to rally the troops and frighten the opposition. There are no specific clues to future attacks. But one possible target stands out. The leaders of Nato, including Mr Bush, meet in Prague next week to agree a new, international anti-terrorism force. They need to set an example and be alert at all times.