On the tape, Bin Laden criticizes President Bush for his actions during the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center three years ago -- saying the president read a story to school children while leaving "50,000 of his people in the two towers to face the terrifying events alone."
He also accuses the president of deceiving the American people and says the reasons behind the September 11th attacks remain. The terrorist leader also told the American people their security in not in the hands of President Bush or his challenger, but depends on U.S. policy.
President Bush, reacting to the video, said America will not be intimidated or influenced by its enemies. Mr. Bush says he is sure Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry agrees with that stance.
Earlier White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the Bush administration believes the videotape is authentic and made recently. He said there will be no immediate change to the terrorist threat level, and if there is any actionable intelligence on the tape, the United States will act.
Mr. Kerry said that if elected he would stop at nothing to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists. He says Americans are united in their determination to destroy Osama bin-Laden.
Bin Laden last appeared in a videotape broadcast by al-Jazeera two years ago. Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.