TWIN BOMBINGS OF THE U.S. EMBASSIES IN Kenya and Tanzania left 257 dead and more than 5,000 wounded. Osama bin Laden--the alleged mastermind of the Aug. 7 attacks--has been in hiding since the U.S. launched missiles against his bases in Afghanistan. Yet on Dec. 22, the summons suddenly came: Would Rahimullah Yusufzai, who reports for the News of Pakistan, as well as Time and ABC, like to interview Bin Laden? After a car trip through the Afghan desert (and getting stuck in the sand three times), Yusufzai arrived at an encampment of three tents. Polite and given to praising God in nearly every sentence, Bin Laden sipped water from a cup (he was nursing a sore throat) and nestled an ak-47 as he spoke. Eager to deny reports that he has cancer, Bin Laden said he enjoys riding horses and playing soccer, but he used a stick to walk because of a bad back. He also spends time with his three wives and children in Afghanistan. Aides say his contact with the world is limited to newspaper and radio reports.

TIME: Are you responsible for the bomb attacks on the two U.S. embassies in Africa?

Osama bin Laden: The International Islamic Front for Jihad against the U.S. and Israel has, by the grace of God, issued a crystal-clear fatwa [decree] calling on the Islamic nation to carry on jihad [holy war] aimed at liberating holy sites. The nation of Muhammad has responded to this appeal. If the instigation for jihad against the Jews and the Americans in order to liberate al-Aksa Mosque and the Holy Ka'aba [Islamic shrines in Jerusalem and Saudi Arabia] is considered a crime, then let history be a witness that I am a criminal. Our job is to instigate and, by the grace of God, we did that, and certain people responded to this instigation.

TIME: Do you know the men who have been
arrested for these attacks?

Osama bin Laden: What I know is that those who risked their lives to earn the pleasure of God are real men. They managed to rid the Islamic nation of disgrace. We hold them in the highest esteem.

TIME: The U.S. says you are trying to acquire chemical and nuclear weapons.

Osama bin Laden: Acquiring weapons for the defense of Muslims is a religious duty. If I have indeed acquired these weapons, then I thank God for enabling me to do so.