Threat Matrix: February 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

How al-Qaida Fared in 2006
-Full Story-

In 2006, agents of al-Qaida, as well as those inspired by its ideology, continued their attacks. Violence in Iraq intensified, and Afghanistan saw its bloodiest year since 2001.

Despite worsening chaos on those fronts, counterterrorist forces arrested and killed high-profile terrorists and kept the West free from attack. But these actions don't appear to have weakened the appeal of al-Qaida's agenda. "Home-grown" militants around the world joined its jihad, as regional fighting heightened perceptions of a global war on Islam.

Here's an assessment of some of the most significant gains and losses for al-Qaida last year: Read more..

	Azzam the American: The Making of an al Qaida Homegrown
	Islamic Cells of Revenge Joins the al Qaida Movement
	Most Dangerous Destinations 2007

Thread Forty-Five

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[Cindy]

Off-Topic:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1790065/posts

[Cindy]

EVENT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yILqbFNf9so&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreenfootballs%2Ecom%2Fweblog%2F

[Cindy]

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=uzbekistan

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http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=42871

"UZBEKISTAN: Three Protestants await trial, but one freed"
Friday , 23 February 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200702/NAT20070223c.html

"Veterans Vow to 'Protect Our Memorials' During Anti-War Rally"
By Randy Hall
CNSNews.com Staff Writer/Editor

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=train
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=trains

http://news.google.com/news?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wn&scoring=d&q=train&btnG=Search

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/6391633.stm

Last Updated: Friday, 23 February 2007, 22:54 GMT

"Train crashes in Lake District"


First footage of passengers inside the crashed train

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Passengers are reported to be injured and trapped after a train derailed and slid down an embankment in Cumbria.


Nine carriages were left on their side, with some "stuck up in the air", passengers said. Fire crews said it was thought there were "numerous injuries".

The Virgin train, the 1715 from London Euston to Glasgow Central, crashed at Grayrigg near Kendal at 2015 GMT. It had been due in Glasgow at 2154 GMT.

Passenger Caroline Thomson said the train seemed to hit something.

The BBC executive said there were "lots and lots" of walking wounded at the scene."


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UPDATE:

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2007/02/23/ap-state-pa/d8nfmm3o0.txt

"Amtrak says faulty control caused 2006 rush-hour power outage"
By SARAH KARUSH

Last updated: Friday, February 23, 2007 5:37 PM EST


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "WASHINGTON - A faulty control that improperly restricted power output was at the root of a massive power outage last year that shut down the Washington-to-New York City rail corridor for more than two hours during the morning rush, Amtrak said Friday.

Nearly nine months after the May 25 incident that stranded riders on 112 trains operated by Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, Philadelphia's SEPTA and Maryland's MARC, Amtrak issued its final report on the incident and said procedures are in place to ensure such an incident does not occur again.

Amtrak, which owns and operates the northeast corridor, said the conclusions stem from an investigation by the North American Electric Reliability Corp., or NERC, a self-regulatory organization of the electric industry.

The events leading up to the outage began two days before, when Amtrak reduced the power capacity at one of six substations serving the corridor in order to do maintenance. After the problem was fixed, Amtrak employees tried to restore output to full capacity, but a computerized control never implemented the command, according to a joint report by Amtrak and NERC.

"When we got into the rush hours, we needed the capacity we thought we had and it just wasn't there," said Bob Verhelle, Amtrak's deputy chief engineer."

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UPDATE:

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=170957&Sn=WORL&IssueID=29341

Vol XXIX NO. 341 Saturday 24th February 2007

"Terror clamp 'key to peace'"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "NEW DELHI: Pakistan must clamp down on Islamic militants and keep them from attacking India if peace efforts are to succeed, India's president said yesterday, days after the bombing of a train linking the countries killed 68 people.

Since the train attack, officials on both sides have shied away from the usual fingerpointing that follows such attacks."

[Cindy]

RECAP and ADDING links to post no. 1140:

INTERNET-HAGANAH.com: "BULGARIAN AUTHORITIES CATCH, RELEASE ON BAIL, FOUR WHO RUN JIHADIST WEBSITE No report yet as to their names, but the site is evidently called islam-bg.net based on news reporting from Bulgaria" (February 23, 2007)

JIHAD WATCH.org (FOCUS NEWS AGENCY): "BULGARIA BUSTS TWO JIHAD SITES CALLING FOR OVERTHROW OF THE STATE" (February 21, 2007)

Google - Search News: "BULGARIA"

Google - Search News: "ISLAM-BG"

[Oorang]

Thanks for the Connex info and pings.

[Cindy]

You're welcome Oorang.

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=taliban
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=taleban

http://www.memri.org
http://www.memritv.org

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Note: See Video.

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24540_Video-_Taliban_Recruits_Hundreds_of_Suicide_Bombers_to_Attack_NATO&only

Thursday, February 22, 2007
"Video: Taliban Recruits Hundreds of Suicide Bombers to Attack NATO"

[Oorang]

Security professionals gloomy on terrorism outlook
Fri Feb 23, 2007

BRUSSELS - The international terrorist threat is increasing as more recruits become radicalised, even though police and intelligence agencies are getting better at disrupting militant plots. That gloomy view appeared to prevail at a major security conference in Brussels this week where participants were asked to complete a "counter-terrorism scorecard" assessing progress over the past year.

Only one person agreed "strongly" and 19 agreed "somewhat" with the statement that the global terrorist threat had fallen in the last 12 months, against 82 people who disagreed, half of them strongly. Eighteen had no view or were not sure. Among the security professionals, analysts and diplomats, 29 said they personally felt more secure against an attack than a year ago, compared with 75 who disagreed and 25 who were neutral.

"How good have we been? Not very," said Pauline Neville-Jones, a former head of the British government's Joint Intelligence Committee. "I think we have to face up to the fact that so far our efforts to diminish the threat have not been particularly successful," she told the conference organised by the EastWest Institute, a security think-tank.

Busso von Alvensleben, counter-terrorism commissioner at Germany's Foreign Ministry, said it had become harder for groups to mount massive attacks. But, noting two attempted train bombings in Germany last year which failed because of faulty devices, he said: "We will have to face an increased number of terrorist attempts, probably of a more limited scale."

WMD FEARS
European Union counter-terrorism coordinator Gijs de Vries said the EU had taken important steps to protect ports and airports, improve security features on passports, clamp down on terrorist finances and beef up police and justice cooperation.

But he said more needed to be done to combat radicalisation. "Mainstream Muslims need to reclaim Islam from the extremists, and non-Muslims must support them where they can."

Among other concerns raised at the three-day conference: the likelihood of terrorists gaining increased access to short and medium-range missiles in coming years, or attempting an attack using chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons. "Terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction in the future is a near to absolute certainty," said Greg Austin, analyst at the EastWest Institute.

Experts concurred that the risk of cyber-terrorism, possibly involving attacks on systems controlling critical infrastructure like power grids, is increasing because of societies' growing reliance on computer networks and the Internet. "The current risk of large-scale harm from cyberterror is low but increasing dramatically," said Ahmet Oren, chairman of Turkish media group Ihlas Holding.

Philippine counter-terrorism ambassador Benjamin Defensor struck a rare note of optimism, saying Southeast Asian militant groups like Jemaah Islamiah were on the retreat as governments pursued them both by force and by reaching out to communities to undermine their hardline message. "The leadership of these organisations are slowly being neutralised or eradicated, so slowly the support is eroding," he said in an interview with Reuters. "They're losing right now in Southeast Asia."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070223/wl_nm/counterterrorism_mood_dc_1;_ylt=AkzaqNtFvW0ciuRkhLI1aVETv5UB

Pakistan: Activist And Former Bin Laden Aide Shifted To High Security Jail

Rawalpindi, 23 Feb. 2007 - Khalid Khawaja, a human rights activist and former close aide of Osama bin Laden, who was also a former official with Pakistan's powerful secret service Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during the 1980s, was shifted from Pakistan's Adiala Jail to the high security prison in Faisalabad, on Thursday, according to a report on the Pakistani daily Dawn. A retired Pakistan Air Force squadron leader, Khawaja is currently the chief coodinator of the Islamic Centre for Research and Defence of Human Rights, an organisation which campaigns on the behalf of relatives of terrorism suspects who have "disappeared".

Khawaja was arrested by police on 26 January on charges of inciting people against the government, distributing hate material and sabotaging negotiations between the government and ulema or Muslim clerics on the issue of the stand-off between the government and the madrassa Hafsa over plans to demolish mosques built without permission on government land.

Excerpted

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=Security&loid=8.0.389389820&par=0

[Oorang]

Pak school gets al-Qaeda threat
Friday , February 23, 2007

New Delhi: The security has been tightened around a girls' school in Pakistan after it received anonymous threats that its building will be bombed if the teachers and students did not start wearing veils and burqas. The letter threatened that the school would be bombed within seven days if students and teachers did not start wearing veils.

The principal of the government high school in Mardan received the letter from an unidentified source. Security personnel have been deployed around all girls' schools after the school administration informed about the letter to the local authorities. It is believed that the letters are being sent by associates of al-Qaeda leader Abu Farah, who was arrested from the same area. Similar letters were also sent to some schools in Peshawar, and as a result, two schools were closed down and security for others was increased.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/pak-school-gets-alqaeda-threat/34259-2.html

Tonne of explosives found on Egypt-Gaza border
Fri Feb 23, 2007

RAFAH, Egypt - Egyptian security forces have found a tonne of explosives on the border between Egypt, the Gaza Strip and Israel, a security source said Friday. "A tonne of TNT destined for Gaza has been found in a cache" near the Kerem Shalom crossing, the source said before adding that security forces were searching the area after three Palestinians were arrested on Wednesday.

Excerpted

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070223/wl_mideast_afp/mideastegyptgaza_070223121053;_ylt=AsMdnBr7MhFIPWWMWnKxq9TFCBEB

Egypt: Terrorists planning Sinai attack
Feb. 23, 2007

Egyptian security forces discovered on Friday approximately one metric ton of explosives hidden underground near Egypt's border with Gaza, a security official said.

The explosives, mostly TNT that officials believe was recovered from land mines, were stashed in 34 plastic sacks, the security officer said speaking on condition of anonymity, because he is not authorized to give statements to the media. The explosives were to be smuggled to the Gaza Strip, he said.

Bedouin trackers working for the authorities led security forces to the underground hiding place in Nagaa Shabanah, a village a few kilometers south of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

The discovery came on the heels of a report by Egyptian intelligence that two Palestinians armed with explosives had infiltrated Sinai and intended to carry out suicide terror attacks against tourists. The Counterterrorism Bureau of the National Security has advised Israelis not to travel to Sinai, Army Radio reported Friday.

Friday's terror warning followed the arrest Thursday of 23 Egyptian terror suspects, while on Wednesday, northern Sinai was on high alert after Egyptian border and security authorities arrested 3 Palestinians and Egyptians, including one who was wearing an explosives belt and had crossed from Gaza to Egypt in an underground tunnel.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1171894500153&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Cindy]

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "But he said more needed to be done to combat radicalisation. "Mainstream Muslims need to reclaim Islam from the extremists, and non-Muslims must support them where they can.""

Ditto, ditto.

[Cindy]

RECAP AND UPDATE:

ON THE NET...

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/02/imam_musa.php

"Imam Musa: "they are not suicide bombers; they are heroes""
By Andrew Cochran

(February 21, 2007)

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015385.php

February 23, 2007
"Imam Musa's Myspace page is back"

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015384.php

February 23, 2007

"Pipes and Spencer, hackers"

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1741897/posts

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UPDATES:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1741897/posts?page=250#250

To: All; backhoe; piasa
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015013.php
(AP)

January 28, 2007
"Congress Pressured to Ban Racial Profiling"

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http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/014435.php

December 16, 2006
"Was the Flying Imam incident staged in order to get anti-profiling legislation passed?"


250 posted on 01/28/2007 2:27:57 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 249 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

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To: All
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1778471/posts

"Stop the End Racial Profiling Act S 2132"
Democracy Project ^ | 2/3/07 | Mitchell Langbert

Posted on 02/02/2007 10:11:50 PM PST by Mitchell Langbert


251 posted on 02/02/2007 11:28:02 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 250 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

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To: All
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/02/23/video-passenger-on-flying-imams-flight-speaks-out/

"Video: Passenger on flying imams’ flight speaks out"
posted at 12:48 am on February 23, 2007 by Allahpundit


252 posted on 02/23/2007 3:35:13 AM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 251 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
To: All
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24545_Islamic_Grievance_Theater_Update_(Video)&only

Weblog:

Friday, February 23, 2007
"Islamic Grievance Theater Update (Video)"


253 posted on 02/23/2007 2:30:27 PM PST by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 252 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

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To: All
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015387.php

February 23, 2007
"Video: passenger who alerted flight crew about Flying Imams speaks"

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http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S32404.shtml?cat=5

Updated: 02/23/2007 09:43:29 AM

"Hear from the passenger that alerted crew of 'suspicious actions'"

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http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=25628
"Putting Homeland Security First"
By Robert Spencer
FrontPageMagazine.com | November 22, 2006


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http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/679#meeting
(Updated February 20, 2007)

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http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/679

Daniel Pipes' Weblog

"More on Those Alcohol-shy Minnesota Taxi Drivers"
October 10, 2006


254 posted on 02/23/2007 10:09:11 PM PST by Cindy

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=pakistan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1790287/posts

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NOTE: The following news brief is a quote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6392049.stm

Last Updated: Saturday, 24 February 2007, 05:00 GMT


Explosion kills two in Pakistan

Police in Pakistan say two people have been killed in the province of Punjab after the bomb they were carrying on a bicycle accidentally exploded.
Police say they hit a road bump on the outskirts of a town in the province.

Deputy Superintendent Bashir Ahmed said they did not know whether the two men intended to plant the explosives or to carry out a suicide attack.

Correspondents say Pakistan has suffered a series of suicide attacks in recent weeks.

The two men died near Chichawatni, 120km (75 miles) north of Multan.

There is speculation that there were intending to detonate the bomb at a large cattle market, which is being held in the town.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=egypt

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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1108.html

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

Consular Information Sheet

Please click on this link to read important information you should see before you travel abroad

This information is current as of today, Fri Feb 23 2007 23:14:54 GMT-0800.

Egypt

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=germany

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Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=63985

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: February 24 Downtown Frankfurt Demonstrations
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Europe - Germany
23 Feb 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
22 Jan 2007
Germany 2007 Crime & Safety Report
28 Nov 2006
Turkish Terror Group's German Offices Raided
6 Nov 2006
EU Clarifies Carry-On Luggage Restrictions
11 Oct 2006
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
3 Oct 2006
Islamic Radicalization in Western Europe
U.S. Consulate Frankfurt released the following Warden Message on February 23:

An "anti-globalization" demonstration scheduled for downtown Frankfurt on Saturday, February 24, 2007, from 2:30 - 6:30 pm could possibly turn violent. American citizens residing in and traveling through Frankfurt are encouraged to avoid the demonstration area.

Participants will meet at Hauptbahnhof and proceed to Taunusstrasse - Moselstrasse - Münchnerstrasse - Willy Brandt Platz - Friedenstrasse - Rossmarkt - Grosse-Bockenheimer Strasse to the Opernplatz, where a final rally will be held. The Opernplatz is the area in front of the Alte Oper at the beginning of the Zeil pedestrian zone.

Police expect up to 1000 participants at this event. The demonstration is authorized by the city, but police expect violence against banks, shops, expensive vehicles and other "symbolic" targets may take place.

The Consulate advises all Americans traveling or residing in Frankfurt to keep abreast of developments, remain vigilant, and avoid large crowds and political demonstrations.

For the latest information on Germany, U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Germany, and the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement which are available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and (202) 501-4444 from overseas. In emergencies, the Consulate Duty Officer can be reached by calling 069-7535-0.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1159.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Feb 23 2007 23:19:33 GMT-0800.

Laos

February 23, 2007


This Public Announcement is being issued to inform American citizens about security concerns in northern Laos. Multiple sources report fighting between Lao Government forces and one or more unidentified groups as well as increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7. This Public Announcement expires on May 23, 2007.

The U.S. Embassy in Laos has received reports from multiple sources of fighting between Lao Government forces and one or more unidentified groups and of increased movements by Lao Government forces in the area of Vang Vieng in northern Vientiane Province beginning around February 7. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution in and around the area of Vang Vieng and recommends against travel by any form of ground transportation north from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.

U.S. Embassy personnel currently are prohibited from undertaking personal travel by ground transportation north of Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, along Route 13 and contiguous roadways.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Laos, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, located at http://travel.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens may also contact the Department of State toll-free from within the United States and Canada at 1-888-407-4747, or outside the U.S. and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy is located at Thanon Bartholonie (near Tat Dam), in Vientiane; from the U.S., mail may be addressed to U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546; tel (856-21) 267-000; duty officer emergency cellular telephone (856-20) 550-2016; consular section fax number (856-21) 267-040; internet http://LAOS.USEMBASSY.GOV; e-mail: conslao@state.gov.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3124.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Feb 23 2007 23:21:05 GMT-0800.

Senegal

February 23, 2007


This Public Announcement is being issued to advise American citizens of violence in association with Senegal’s upcoming presidential election, and of special travel restrictions on Sunday, February 25, 2007. This Public Announcement will expire on March 26, 2007.

Senegal is scheduled to hold a presidential election on Sunday, February 25, 2007. In the past two weeks, various political parties have had violent confrontations throughout Senegal. One such confrontation on February 21 resulted in grave injuries and destruction of several vehicles. A popular expatriate restaurant, Le Regal, was seriously damaged by an uncontrolled mob. The U.S. Embassy expects that this type of violence may continue, and possibly worsen once election results are reported.

Due to the likelihood for violence before, on and after the Sunday, February 25 elections, American citizens should avoid unnecessary travel for the next two weeks, including within cities. The U.S. Embassy will remain open for normal operations. American citizens should avoid large crowds, particularly political gatherings and street demonstrations, and maintain heightened security awareness at all times.

The Government of Senegal has prohibited non-election related travel between towns on February 25. Also, the Government will forbid people from wearing clothing indicating their support for an individual candidate or that displays by its colors an obvious party affiliation on February 25. U.S. citizens should remain alert for a possible government-imposed curfew on Saturday, February 24.

American citizens traveling to or living in Senegal should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Consular Information Sheet for Senegal, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and other travel information can be found. Up-to-date information on security also can be obtained by emailing consulardakar@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Americans living or traveling in Senegal are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, where they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Senegal. Security updates are e-mailed to all registered Americans with an e-mail address. On-line registration can be done in advance of travel at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. By registering, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenue Jean XXIII, Dakar; the mailing address is B.P. 49, Dakar, Senegal. The telephone number is (221) 823-4296; after-hours (221) 823-4604. The U.S. Embassy website is http://usembassy.state.gov/dakar.



This site is managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not beconstrued as an endorsement of the views contained therein. Copyright Information Disclaimers

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=israel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=Iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iraq

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3368926,00.html

Report: Israel asks US for ‘air corridor’ over Iraq should Israel decide to attack Iran

Published: 02.24.07, 07:50 / Israel News

Israel has reportedly requested permission from the United States to fly through Iraqi airspace, in case Israel should decide to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A senior Israeli defense official said negotiations were underway for the US to provide an ‘air corridor’ over Iraq. "We are planning for every eventuality, and sorting out issues such as these are crucially important," he said. (Ynet)