www.esryle.comLOCAL NEWS ACROSS THE NATION
Posted on 08/19/2004 8:02:31 AM PDT by esryle
A GANG of British terror suspects has been charged with plotting to launch a "dirty bomb" or mini nuclear blast on London.
The attacks, on targets such as Heathrow and the Parliament, were planned to coincide with similar strikes on major buildings in the US. The leader of the group is believed to be Osama bin Laden's UK general, Dhiren Barot.
Born into a respected family of Kenyan expatriates, Barot, 32, was raised a Hindu before being converted to radical Islamism in his 20s and becoming one of al-Qaida's European linchpins.
Barot and seven other members of the suspected al-Qaida sleeper cell were in custody last night after they were charged with conspiracy to murder and other terror-related crimes.
The men, aged 20 to 32, were arrested in a series of raids on August 3.
Police discovered detailed reconnaissance plans of landmark American buildings including the New York Stock Exchange, the Prudential Building in New Jersey, the International Monetary Fund in Washington and Citigroup's New York headquarters.
But investigators made a more chilling find.
Manuals on the use of radioactive materiel and explosives that have convinced intelligence chiefs the gang was planning to launch a dirty bomb were also found.
A dirty bomb is made with radioactive material wrapped around a core of high explosive.
Detonated in a densely populated city, it can kill thousands from radiation sickness and leave the area uninhabitable.
The five charges included conspiracy to murder, possession of documents likely to be useful for an act of terrorism and conspiracy to commit public nuisance.
That last charge specified the gang was planning to use radioactive materials, toxic gases, chemicals and/or explosives to cause disruption, fear or injury.
The charges were the first official confirmation that the suspects were linked to a high profile security scare in the US earlier this month.
US Attorney-General John Ashcroft said US agents had worked closely with Britain.
Of more than 600 terror suspects arrested since the September 11 attacks, fewer than 100 have been charged and just 15 terrorism convictions have been upheld.
Charged with conspiracy to murder were Dhiren Barot, 32, Omar Abdur Rehman, 20, Zia Ul Haq, 25, Abdul Aziz Jalil, 31, Nadeem Tarmohammed, 26, Moammed Naveed Bhatti, 24, Quaisar Shaffi, 25, and Junade Feroze, 28.
Interesting British names.....
Does this imply coordinated "dirty bomb" attacks at several places in the US?
The WOT continues to fail because of Bush's leadership...
< /liberal talking points>
where is the radioactive material?
I think I recall that London did a dirty bomb dispersal test once... I think they used a powdered dye, and they tracked the dispersal of the powder, and the effects of either a heavy rain or intentional washing of the area with lots of water, so as to track the flow and wash of the material.
Of course I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was London that did this. But I don't remember if it was a simulation or a real live test where they spread the powder out and actually followed it.
Hmm...
This is BS.
Somehow I don't think a "dirty bomb" equates at all to a "nuclear blast" of any size...
The Kerry Campaign is highly suspicious of the timing of this event.
And Tommy Dachshund is sad, very sad.
"Interesting British names....."
Must be the Welsh strain.
When are people going to realize that this "Religion of Peace" crap is just that - crap?
Dubya, I love ya, but you've got to start calling a spade a spade. You've done so well in the WOT, let's take the next step, shall we?
Heaven forbid they use sleep deprivation or anything harsher than, "now we mean business. You need to come clean now."
Oh yeah... those guys have dead ancestors who beheaded Gordon at Khartoum!
Well, it's the press. Have to exaggerate for effect.
Welsh ? They seem to have some funny spellings.
If you are interested in kitten effects, here is a good place to start:
http://www.tac.com.au/~anva/totem.htm
PING.............
A dirty bomb doesn't require a conventional core. There are a few "dial-a-nukes" that use jacketing to enhance yield and radiation effect.
Dirty bombs can be nuclear. They are not necessarily the "poor man's nuke" as described by the media.
Most nukes are clean, in that the exposed area can be reused within 2 months. A dirty jacket can be fitted to most anything, creating a dead zone.
Look to Chernobyl for a "dirty" effect.
Probably. Let's remember that the main effect of such a bomb is psychological,not physical. If you were to set one off in a financial district, how many people would be eager to go back to work there after all the sensationalism about radiation the press would feed them? And how would that affect the economy? The terrorists know this, I would assume.
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