Audience of 2 Magazine is pleased to present, for the first time in English, an excerpt of the recent debate between Osama bin Laden and Mahmoud al Batal. Both men want to lead the international Islamist group Al Qaeda. Foreign affairs was the subject of this unmoderated debate, which was broadcast live on the Al Jazeera network. A transcript follows:

BIN LADEN: I've said it once, and I'll say it again and again as many times as necessary: There is credible evidence that the United States of America has weapons of mass destruction and is prepared to use them against us.

AL BATAL: Believe me, we've heard you each and every time. But that doesn't distract from the fact that your offensive against the United States has been a diversion from the War on Satan. Trust me, I hate freedom as much as the next sheik, but I know that there is a better way to battle the evil in the world today than the approach that you and your thugs have taken. In the fifteenth century from the time of the Prophet's Hijrah, Al Qaeda needs new leadership, new ideas, and new vision. I've got that vision.

BIN LADEN: My opponent says, "Trust me." Trust you? How can we trust a man who said at one time that he supported the holy destruction of Satan's World Trade Center, and at another time said, "Wrong war, wrong plane, wrong time"? The War on Satan requires strong leadership, with a firm stance and no compromises. You may disagree with me, but at least you know where I stand. I'm not going to rest until I root out evil from every corner of the earth.

AL BATAL: Mr. Bin Laden, again you're taking an overly simplistic view of the whole issue here. We all know that the United States harbors much evil against Allah. But I don't see--and I know a lot of people agree with me here--I don't see how destroying buildings gets at the root of the problem. There is a better way to fight the War on Satan, and I'll tell you what that is. My plan is tripartite, calling for ...

BIN LADEN [INTERRUPTING]: There you go again. [AUDIENCE LAUGHTER]

AL BATAL: ... first, improving conditions in our own communities. Mr. Bin Laden would like us to believe that Satan lives only in the western world, but anyone with eyes can see the evil that lurks among us. Second, establishing a forum for discussion with our allies. We can surely convert many brothers to our cause through persuasive argumentation, and from there we can build a powerful axis of allies to combat evil. The War on Satan will be most effective if we have the strong support of an alliance. Finally, with the powerful backing that my plan will engender among our allies, Al Qaeda will be in a better position to confront the United States and other western countries, whether through force of arms or mind.

BIN LADEN: Whew! You lost me about halfway through that. But despite what my opponent would have you believe, the problem here is really very simple. Listen, I know how these people think. The only way we defeat Satan is by first defeating his chosen nation, the United States of America!

[*****HERE ENDS THE TRANSCRIPT*****]