Reply #8: safe states? [View All]

[splat]

Duelling Translations of bin Laden
http://www.newshounds.us/2004/11/01/duelling_translations_of_bin_laden.php

On their website MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute), a mysterious, low-profile translation service, claims that it takes exception to currently available interpretations of two words in Osama bin Laden's 10/29/04 videotaped message to the United States. In a statement published November 1, 2004, MEMRI makes the following contention:

<snip>

Footnote #2: <2> "Wilaya" refers specifically to a U.S. state; it would never refer to an independent country. The term for such a country is "Dawla." (End excerpt.)

Here's the Al Jazeera translation which agrees with the ones broadcast on CNN and other media outlets:

"Your security is in your own hands. And every state that doesn't play with our security has automatically guaranteed its own security."

Here's the MEMRI translation:

"Your security is in your own hands, and any U.S. state that does not toy with our security automatically guarantees its own security."

Comment

MEMRI surfaces whenever the Bush administration has need of a more favorable interpretation of Arabic texts and/or attitudes...