Al-Qaeda 'planning for nuclear attack'

The Scotsman ^ | November 14, 2006 | Staff

[MadIvan]

Al-QAEDA is determined to acquire the technology to carry out a nuclear attack on the West, a senior Foreign Office official warned yesterday.

She said that Osama bin Laden's terrorist network was trawling the world for the materials and know-how to mount an attack using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

The latest warning echoes the remarks last week of the MI5 director-general, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, that future terror attacks in Britain could involve weapons of mass destruction.

Asked if she had any doubt that al-Qaeda wanted to obtain the materials to carry out a nuclear attack on the West, the Foreign Office official told reporters at Westminster: "No doubt at all".

She said that terrorists were seeking the means to mount a range of attacks using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear devices.

"We know that the aspiration is there, we know attempts to gather materials are there, we know that attempts to gather technologies are there," she said.

The latest warning comes as the government is preparing to make security a key theme of its legislative programme for the next parliamentary session, to be set out in the Queen's Speech tomorrow.

[MadIvan]

Oh, joy.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[Darkwolf377]

OK, Nancy, you've told us W has been doing it wrong for five years--where's YOUR plan to fight Al Qaeda?

[Cementjungle]

OK, Nancy, you've told us W has been doing it wrong for five years--where's YOUR plan to fight Al Qaeda?

There's nothing to worry about. Reports like this are just the neocons using their "scare tactics"!

[kingattax]

she doesn't answer to "nancy" any more...you have to call her madame speaker to get a response

[geopyg]

One thing we have been doing is setting up radiation monitors at ports. etc.

I was at a place where they were testing them (big things that container trucks drive under. The guy had a paper cup of liquid, would get in his car and drive through, get out and tweak some dials - drive through again, etc. It was amazing that this stuff that he was carrying (bare hands, street clothes, etc.) was enough to set off the sensors.

[DISCO]

Surrender! The Democritters have been telling us all along that this is their plan. Amazing that now the election is over, the MSM is reporting the truth about what Freeper's have known all along. The Muslims want to kill us.

[unspun]

OK, Nancy, you've told us W has been doing it wrong for five years--where's YOUR plan to fight Al Qaeda?

The Dr. Doolittle approach?

You know, "Talk to the animals...."

[america-rules]

Yea and the ecomony is so good there aren't enough skilled workers for all the jobs available as reported tonight on the radio !

[sheik yerbouty]

"Rise early and slay them first."

[Darkwolf377]

That's fascinating, thanks for sharing that. I have no idea how this kind of technology works or how sensitive it is so any hard info is interesting.

I wonder if Nancy thinks this is overkill, since Al Qaeda isn't really that big a deal.

[Schweinhund]

Some unidentified person says Al Quaeda wants to bomb us. Now that's what I call News.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #4

This could be all settled if she and other liberal women join the harem of Bin Laden(or whoever is in charge now.) Nuke for liberal harem, sounds like a bargain to me.

[Dallas59]

NANCY! FORGET ABOUT BUSH! ....SAVE US!!!

[snoringbear]

The American people have long ago put 9/11 behind them. It will take another "big" event to get their attention again. Sadly, if these Muslim terrorists are indeed able to pull off a nuclear explosion of some sort or a chemical attack, say a large qty of saran gas introduced in a sky scraper air-handler system, 9/11 will appear insignificant.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Well,

they aint getting any WMDs from Iraq anytime soon thats for sure!

[radiohead]

9/11 will appear insignificant.

What concerns me is that even after a >9/11 attack, who would we attack? Is there a possiblity that our hands would be tied because we couldn't pinpoint a responsible nation? Al Queada is in many countries - if a cell in London pulls it off, are we going to bomb London? Personally, I'd like to get rid of all of these creeps, but I am afraid we would take that attack and hold more memorial services, especially if Dims are in charge.

[blondee123]

you have to call her madame speaker to get a response

You mean "Shrieker of the House"?

[blondee123]

that future terror attacks in Britain could involve weapons of mass destruction.

Interesting, cause "BLAIR SAYS IRAN AND SYRIA CAN BE 'PARTNERS FOR PEACE'..."

[Screamname]

Her plan is clear; Withdraw the troops, leave Iraq, Iran, N.Korea, and terror alone, and die happily thereafter. But not before some daily fundraisers to boost Hillary Presidential campaign first.

[backtothestreets]

"Amazing that now the election is over, the MSM is reporting the truth about what Freeper's have known all along. The Muslims want to kill us."

That could actually be excellent! The conservatives and Republicans have shouldered there share. Such MSM attention while the Democrats hold both houses of Congress will force them to shoulder their share, or fall from grace.

I'm a firm believer that any chance of defeating our enemy will require our nation be united as one. If MSM can help that along, more power to them.

[Screamname]

"Plan? What plan? You mean we need a plan?"

[Screamname]

Oh wait, she does have a plan....

[backtothestreets]

Some have put 9-11 behind them. I hope it isn't most. Sadly, an opportunity escaped. I had never thought our nation could be so mobilized, but it was, and not by the call of any leader, but our deep sense of grief and outrage. Because our leaders lacked the wisdom to utilize a self-mobilized people, we returned to our old ways. We will most certainly have to suffer another tragic loss before we can be galvanized as one.

I personally feel such a time is rapidly approaching. It has been too quiet here in the states. If the UK is aware of approximately 30 planned attacks in various stages of implementation within their own nation, I have a dire sense attacks of similar proportion and preparedness are already underway here also, and were initiated well before the elections.

[Caipirabob]

There's nothing to worry about. Reports like this are just the neocons using their "scare tactics"!

Of course, and when the nuclear fallout starts to drop over the outskirts of Washington, look for AlGore^TM to blame it on "Global Warming". The surprising thing will be that he'll be close to the truth...

[G Larry]

Why wouldn't they?

We invited them last week!

[odds]

I read somewhere quite some time ago that some members of AQ were against 9/11 attacks. They thought it'd wake up the Americans and the world too soon to AQ and Islamist malicious intentions. But, 9/11 happened...we still, seem half asleep. Hey, this ain't USSR and Cold War, Reagan passed away and Thatcher was forced away by her OWN party. I have tremendous respect for both.

Now, there is nothing that could stop any AQ or Islamist attacks anywhere if they were truly determined to do so, imo. Many have written about it, including this person - read it please, if you haven't already:

http://www.freeman.org/m_online/jul04/harari.htm


Airport security, etc.. are ad hoc, reactive, and tactical at best.

This war needs to be understood at multiple and strategic levels; it still isn't or, at least, doesn't seem to be. If it is understood by enemy and strategic terms, then, the West needs to act accordingly and in a United fashion. So far, it isn't and hasn't acted in any meaningful sense AT ALL.

I'm saddened by the fact that the Democrats won the midterm elections. But, as for Islamic Iran or AQ, was there any other actionable or feasible strategy or policy before the Dems won? I'm afraid the clear answer is: NO.

[prisoner6]

...call her madame speaker..

ma-DAMN speaker works for me.

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

prisoner6

[backtothestreets]

You pose a valid question about which nation to hold responsible if an Al Qaeda terror cell based in London launched an attack here in the states. I'm inclined for holding the responsible nation accountable, the Nation of Islam ... all of it!

[jonrick46]

My question is where will they get the necessary nuclear materials? Of course, they need a host country to do all the assembly and testing. That country will be risking much if it were discovered that such activities were occuring. Something like the Cuban Missle Crisis would take place.

[backtothestreets]

Excellent post and link. I haven't read all the report yet, but from what I have read it is on the mark.

[gakrak]

"There's nothing to worry about. Reports like this are just the neocons using their "scare tactics"!"

Oh, and don't worry we will not let it come to actual attacks.
Gosh we'll just sit down and have some nice talks with them. Nancy assure us that they really don't mean us any harm. They really just want our help in advancing their religion. You know the religion of peace. BARD. Amen.

[gakrak]

Your right but I guess if I were to pick I'd go to the source, IRAN. Just blow the country to hell. Amen.

[sure_fine]

whats really amazing is that nothing has really come out after the NYT admits Saddam had WMD's

[Brilliant]

Don't worry... Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will protect us.

[1234]

this 'news' is at least 5 yrs. old!!

[Former Proud Canadian]

Re post 17 you asked "who would we attack?" I think a better question is "what would we attack?" A nuclear attack on the CONUS would consititute an all out war with (radical) islam. Don't be surprised to see internment camps in the US, just like WW II. The Persian Gulf supply route and the oil fields of Saudi Arabia and Iran should be secured, occupied and pumped out. The NWP of Pakistan should be attacked from the air with nuclear weapons if neccessary.

Before the US is attacked, a nuclear target list should be drawn up and shown to moslem leaders. It should be made very clear that these targets will be vaporized within 24 hours of a nuclear attack against the US. This target list would include all the major urban areas and all the religious sites of the islamic world, including Mecca, Medina et al.

War is war, sides must be chosen and if you choose the wrong side, you might lose your life.

[TexKat]

Thank you odds!

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

[Mr. Silverback]

I endorse Charles Krauthammer's suggestion that we make a statement that any nucelar attack by terrorists anywhere will be considered an attack by North Korea on the United States, which will receive an appropriate nuclear response.

Unfortunately, that approach only works if Iran doesn't get the bomb.

[zook]

This will sound awful, but I'm nearly at the point where I don't care anymore. Americans and Europeans no longer wish to fight the enemy.

I'm considering moving to China. I know *they* won't take any crap from the islamonazis.

[Mr. Silverback]

Sadly, I think your plan might be the only one that works.

The founding commander of the Air Force's Strategic Air Command, Curtis LeMay, was asked in 1986 if the U.S. could have won in Vietnam. He replied, "In any two week period you care to mention." Of course, his plan was for massive strategic bombing, and it would have worked...we know that from information that's come out since the war regarding how the North Vietnamese viewed the Linebacker campaigns.

Mybe I'm biased because I cut my teeth in SAC, but we may just have to channel Curtis LeMay to win this thing. I'm not one of the "nuke 'em all" crowd, I just think it's time to get the non-terrorists and terrorist funders worried about what the terrorists might get them into.

[TheCipher]

One thing we have been doing is setting up radiation monitors at ports. etc.

Unfortunately, it does no good if they put it in a truck and drive it over an isolated part of the border ( Northern or Southern ).

[IrishBrigade]

......your firm belief goes directly to the issue at hand-whether the West or the East wins the religious war...it's my firm belief that Islam doesn't need to do one thing more in the way of direct terror, that 9-11 was sufficient for the purpose of preparing the West for a prayer rug in every home, because any attempt to unite in opposition will automatically trigger the multicultural responses that have been assiduously imbedded into our culture for the past forty years or so...I need look no further than the Catholic catechitical conference I attended last weekend in which a workshop devoted to 'Learning Islam' was well received and attended...or to our public library sponsoring evening lessons about Islam...any initial urge to retaliate will be beaten down in time by such 'enlightening' processes as these...I suggest those of you with children attending elementary and high school take a look at the curricula of these places, for if some nipping of the bud is to take place, it is necessary...

[Mr. Silverback]

See post 42...meant to direct it to you as well.

[JZelle]

That sounds great, but can you see the dems doing that if they're the ones in power?

[angcat]

This will sound awful, but I'm nearly at the point where I don't care anymore. Americans and Europeans no longer wish to fight the enemy.


I feel that way sometimes. Americans have voted and they do not want to fight the enemy. I fear for my children that is my worry.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Sorry, I agree with the late great General LeMay. Two Trident subs could carry out the strategic portion of this war in two hours. It would be all over but the mop up.

I am afraid it is going to come to this. The (radical) islams see us as weak and feckless. They only understand one thing. What passes for political leadership in that part of the world agrees with this analysis and is playing with fire.

If the dems elect a president in 2008, he/she might see a nuclear response as the only way to "earn their spurs" as tough on defense of the US. Events are not leading us to peace.

I just hope that the US is stockpiling neutron bombs, or ramps up the production line soon. I wouldn't want to see that much fallout released into the atmosphere.

[Former Proud Canadian]

See post 48

[Mr. Silverback]

Your concerns are valid. Islam is a religion of war and oppression that has some peaceful adherents, just as Christianity is a religion that values love between one man and one woman for life but has some adherents who think it's the religion of gay marriage. The problem is, it's difficult to get this across to people without seeming to demonize the Muslims that have no interest in doing anything to harm the U.S.

I will only say this: I may walk the path of Richard Wurmbrand. I may walk the path of Todd Beamer. I will not walk the path of the Muslim or the path of the submissive dhimmi.