Radioactive Cargo `Stolen By Al-Qaeda' (Thailand Source)

Bangkok Post (Thailand) ^ | 22 July 2002 | Anucha Charoenpo

[AmericanInTokyo]

Radioactive Cargo `Stolen By Al-Qaeda'

Dirty Bomb Bid Spurs Rise in Regional Piracy

By Anucha Charoenpo (Bangkok Post)

Al-Qaeda is among international terrorist organisations responsible for an increase in piracy against ships carrying radioactive materials through the Malacca Straits, an expert in regional affairs has warned.

The terrorist groups' main aims were to obtain substances such as uranium and plutonium oxide for use in so-called dirty bombs, said Panithan Watthanayakorn, a political lecturer at Chulalongkorn University.

He said the Malacca Straits, between Indonesia's Sumatra island and Malaysia, was not adequately patrolled because of internal disputes within regional countries, which made suppressing piracy difficult.

``The straits are very narrow and there are no patrol vessels, so it is easy for terrorist groups to attack ships,'' he said at a seminar organised by the university and the Rajabhat Institute.

Mr Panithan obtained his information during a workshop organised by the International Maritime Bureau.

Aside from al-Qaeda, ships were also being targeted by Sri Lanka's Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, he said.

According to the bureau, there were 649 cases of piracy in the straits last year.

Most piracy groups obtained prior knowledge of the route to be taken by their target, which they trapped by mooring a vessel on either side, he said.

The crew of commercial ships had no way of defending themselves, and most incidents lasted less than an hour.

Mr Panithan called on governments around the region to act against the security threat, which also affected the regional economy, with goods worth an average of about one million baht pilfered in each case of piracy.

The navies of all Southeast Asian nations should seek to strengthen ties and cooperation in exchanging information to curb piracy, he said.

[AmericanInTokyo]

The IMB also reports (today) in their quarterly report, about the activities of the missing commercial vessel reportedly carrying approximately 40 al-Qaeda headed for the US West Coast (disappeared in vicinity of Santa Catalina Island). Interesting if not vital to track these various reports (this one from a reputable source, [Bangkok Post, Thailand] not highlighted particularly in the United States media). This particular region has had a long history and problem with piracy; it is well known that radical Islamists allied with al-Qaeda (such as Guragan Mujahideen Islam Pattaniare, or Jememiah Islamaya, Abu Sayyef) also active in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore (massive terrorist plan foiled several months ago).

Vigilance is the keyword here. Developing......

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

The next major attack against the US will be with dirty bombs. Count on it.

[NTegraT]

The constant reports of thefts of these kinds, and the lack of any attacks on U.S. interests/territories is scary. This situation better receive top priority of US intelligence.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Hijacking a US jet domestically is going to become even more difficult IMHO (although a porous situation STILL exists). Nevertheless, with the spector of getting shot down by an F-16, or an armed pilot taking a terrorist down, or reinforced cabin doors, or an enraged passenger/hero factor on the plane which could rise up and "Roll" at anytime, the raghead terrorists are probably backing off on that option.

It would appear dirty bomb or truck bombs or hitting other soft targets is the way they will go next. Bump!

[japaneseghost]

bump

[riri]

Radiation causing panic in Russia? LOL, when you pour milk into your Kasha isn't it glowing in Russia?

[lideric]

Getting a dirty bomb into the U.S. should be simple since it's politically incorrect to guard our borders, especially our mexican border.

[CougarGA7]

The ships carrying the radioactive material were probably dirverted to that straight by Green Peace off the coast of New Zealand.

[aristeides]

Speaking of the Straits of Malacca, isn't Aceh on Sumatra Island a stronghold of the Islamists?

[stand watie]

YIKES!

for dixie,sw

[stand watie]

can you say CORVETTE, children? sure you can!

for dixie,sw

[AmericanInTokyo]

yes, I believe that is the case

[Freebird Forever]

The ships carrying the radioactive material were probably dirverted to that straight by Green Peace off the coast of New Zealand.

You might just be on to something there.

[CougarGA7]

It wouldn't surprise me. I really think that Green Peace, Earth First, and those other evironmental nuts are hell bent on destroying organized society any way they can.

[AmericanInTokyo]

US Time evening bump

[flamefront]

ping