AP reports interesting Zarqawi tape

AP is reporting that Zarqawi has released another tape. (Sam says the tape is "fabricated" — by which I think he means it's not Zarqawi's voice.) The tape has some interesting wording in it.

The 90-minute message, purportedly from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, appeared to be aimed at rallying his forces following the loss of their base in Fallujah and at marshaling support as Iraqis prepare for their first poll since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.

"Fighters who have taken the path of jihad have to realize the nature and the demands of the battle toward the required goal," the speaker said. "This group has to be patient in the path that it has taken and ... not to hurry victory. The promise of God will be fulfilled no matter what."

Sounds like the troops' morale might be flagging. You don't suppose having the US Marines chase your butt all over the desert has something to do with that, do you?

He also admits that one of his leaders was killed.

The speaker also acknowledged that a leading al-Qaida commander in Fallujah, Omar Hadid, had been killed fighting the Americans when the city fell to a U.S.-Iraqi assault. Hadid was believed to have escaped the fighting.

"Ferocious wars are not determined by the outcome of days or weeks," the speaker on the tape said. "They take their time until it's time to announce the victory of one of the parties."

Notice how he doesn't say "our victory" but instead says "victory of one of the parties"? Sounds like even Zarqawi is starting to have doubts (if it is Zarqawi. If Sam is right, and Zarqawi has been captured — or killed — it might explain the doubt in the speaker's voice.)