PESHAWAR - In an effort to improve morale and share the spirit of the season, Osama Bin Laden and Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri have announced that they will co-chair the first annual Al Qaeda Christmas Cookie Exchange. The exchange will take place following a holiday luncheon at the cave of both men on December 16th. The announcement was made on a video tape released to the Al Jazeera network yesterday. The tape was broadcast this morning. “During this festive time, when so many of you are entertaining and preparing for jihad, it can be difficult to find time to bake,” said Bin Laden. “That’s why Ayman and I are starting this exchange.” Al-Zawahiri suggested that each participant make a dozen cookies of their choice.
To avoid duplication, he is keeping a detailed list of every cookie. “Nobody wants to have two dozen of the same thing,” said Al-Zawahiri. That remark prompted a playful response from Bin Laden. “Unless we’re talking about your snicker doodles, Ayman.” Al-Zawahiri smiled. "I have to admit,” he replied, “they are to die for."A spokesman for the Central Intelligence Agency said analysts had reviewed the contents of the tape and concluded that the two bearded men covered in flour, wearing aprons and over-sized chef hats were Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri. The same spokesman would neither confirm nor deny that the agency was attempting to place an informant in the exchange.
