With the lights momentarily out due to a power failure in the windowless military courtroom set up to try Guantanamo prisoners, Al Hamza Ahmad Suliman al Bahlul declined to enter a plea at his arraignment on three terrorism-related charges.

He had earlier held up a handwritten 'boycott' sign and declined to answer when asked whether he was rejecting his military attorney, though in a lengthy statement to the court he indicated he would not contest the charges against him.

'I am not going to say I'm not from Al-Qaeda,' Bahlul said.

'We will continue in our jihad and nothing is going to stop us.'

Bahlul, who is from Yemen, was charged with conspiracy, solicitation to commit murder and providing material support for terrorism. He was accused of preparing a propaganda video glorifying the attack on the American destroyer Cole, preparing the videotaped will of Sept 11 ringleader Mohamed Atta, and operating computer and communications gear for Osama.

'I am renewing my allegiance to Sheikh Osama bin Laden,' said Bahlul, who wore a beard and loose green shirt as he sat at the corner of the defense table, with two military bailiffs behind him.

The hearing at the US naval base in south-eastern Cuba was marred by audio-visual failures and the power outage that for several minutes darkened the courtroom.

The session continued in the dark, as Bahlul was asked whether he wished to enter a plea. 'Apparently not,' said the judge, Army Colonel Peter Brownback.

'MediaMan'
Earlier flaws in the audio and visual systems prevented journalists and other observers from hearing the opening proceedings in the viewers' gallery behind a soundproof double-glass curtain.

The flaws also frustrated Col Brownback, who moved about the courtroom in search of a working microphone and complained, 'I don't know what's wrong with the audio in this place'.

Bahlul was unflustered. Apparently referring to the observers' signals of audio problems, he said, 'I am a media man myself. I know the effect of media. Trust me I really don't care.' Col Brownback allowed Bahlul to act as his own attorney for now, but kept his military lawyer, Air Force Major David Frakt, on standby basis.

He set the next hearing in the case for June 26 to 27, to give time, he said, for Bahlul to consider whether he wanted an attorney to represent him. -- REUTERS