U.S. delays release of al-Qaida 9/11 tape

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. intelligence agencies blocked al-Qaida communications so successfully the group's annual Sept. 11 video arrived a week late, ABC News reported Friday.

In earlier years, the message marking the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks was always available by Sept. 11.

While no one in government would comment on the record, sources told ABC that U.S. agencies, aided by Germany and Malaysia, succeeded in disrupting al-Qaida's distribution of the video to the Internet.

"It's something we've been trying to do for some time," John Kiriakou, a former CIA analyst, said.

ABC's sources said everyone expected the tape to come out eventually.

"They are determined communicators," said one.

Osama bin Laden did not appear on tape making any new announcements. One of his aides reassured followers that he is "in good health."