TIMELINE-Bin Laden messages since September 11, 2001

(Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened the European Union with grave punishment on Wednesday over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.

In an audio recording posted on the Internet, Bin Laden said the cartoons were part of a "crusade" in which he said the Catholic Pope Benedict was involved.

Following is a chronology of major statements attributed to bin Laden.

September 24, 2001 - Al Jazeera television quotes bin Laden statement urging Pakistanis to fight any assault on Afghanistan by "crusader Americans".

October 7 - Bin Laden taunts "infidel" U.S. President George W. Bush over September 11 attacks; says in a videotape shown by Al Jazeera that United States will not live in peace until Palestinians can do the same.

November 3 - Bin Laden video shown by Al Jazeera calls Muslims supporting Bush's Afghanistan "crusade" apostates.

December 13 - Bin Laden says was optimistic about September 11 attacks but dared not hope they would bring down World Trade Center towers, according to video U.S. says confirms his guilt.

December 26 - Bin Laden says in video on Al Jazeera that September 11 attacks intended to stop U.S. support for Israel.

January 31, 2002 - CNN airs October 11 interview by Al Jazeera reporter in which bin Laden says "battle has moved inside the United States".