World News Tonight Preview

April 15 -- Good afternoon.

An audiotape believed to have been made within the past several weeks by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was broadcast today on two Arab television networks. The speaker on the seven-minute tape vowed to seek revenge against the United States for the Israeli assassination of the leader of the Palestinian group Hamas, but also offered a "truce" to some European countries in exchange for their withdrawal from Iraq. Bin Laden seems to remain very much in control and that is of particular concern to U.S. officials. Brian Ross has the story. Also, is the United States any closer to finding bin Laden? Mark Litke reports from Pakistan.http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040415_929.html

Also, a chilling report on a Denver company that allegedly paid millions of dollars to one of the world's most feared terrorist groups. Tonight, a former mining company executive speaks out on what he says were his direct dealings with the terrorists that not only involved cash payments, but also weapons, medical treatment, and housing for terror leaders. Brian Ross takes a Closer Look.

And finally tonight, the crew of the Hunley. The primitive Civil War submarine was the first ever to sink another ship, but it sank itself in the process. Now, the crew members are being laid to rest – 140 years after their deaths. Archaeologists raised the wreckage from the ocean floor off Charleston, S.C., just four years ago, and scientists are now trying to piece together the identities of some of the sailors, using state-of-the-art computer technology and traditional genealogy. Ned Potter has more tonight on the detective work used to uncover this chapter of history.

We hope you'll join us.