Many Americans yesterday heard about the latest tape by Osama bin Laden - the first word from him in more than a year - before George W. Bush was informed of it. The president was delivering a speech on the economy in Virginia, and while US networks were reporting the news before his talk began, aides waited to inform him of the news until after his remarks.

The decision to wait underscores Washington's tepid reaction to Mr bin Laden's tape, which the White House yesterday portrayed as a sign of weakness from the al-Qaeda leader.