World Terrorism: News, History and Research Of A Changing World #6 Disinformation, Inc.

Global Politician/Ocnus.Net ^ | Dec 17, 2006 | Professor Daniel M. Zucker

[nw_arizona_granny]

German govt party hit with snooping scandal

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=124122&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21
German govt party hit with snooping scandal
Published: Sunday, 24 December, 2006, 09:05 AM Doha Time
Stoiber ... denies knowing about snooping attempt

BERLIN: Bavaria state premier Edmund Stoiber condemned yesterday a disgraced aide's efforts to snoop on one of his staunchest inner party critics as the unsanctioned act of a lone staff member.
Under growing pressure in his party ahead of 2008 elections, Stoiber dismissed allegations from fellow Christian Social Union leader Gabriele Pauli that he knew in advance about disgraced chief of staff Michael Hoehenberger's efforts to gather compromising information on Pauli's private life.
"It was the singular act of a staff member," Stoiber said. "I never would have permitted anything like that. He took the appropriate consequence (and resigned). The party doesn't want a solo trip. Pauli is not the CSU and will never be the CSU."
The 49-year-old Pauli said that Hoehenberger had called her local CSU party colleagues "asking for information about lovers and alcohol consumption". She added: "He was looking for incriminating evidence to knock me out."
Stoiber, chairman of the CSU that is a key part of Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition government, at first tried to ignore Pauli's demands that he step down before going on the attack in a Bild am Sonntag interview yesterday.
Pauli said that Stoiber, 65, knew of Hoehenberger's snooping. Stoiber denied that yesterday.
"It's total nonsense – I've ruled Bavaria correctly and successfully for more than a decade," said Stoiber, who has governed since 1993 and just missed being chancellor in 2002, losing the federal election by 6,027 votes to Gerhard Schroeder.
Stoiber wanted to run against Schroeder again in 2005 but was forced to let Christian Democrat leader Merkel run.
Hoehenberger was forced to resign after admitting he had tried in telephone calls to collect intelligence about Pauli.
Allegations of snooping are serious in Germany, which has struggled to come to terms with a legacy of spying by the Nazi era Gestapo and the Communist East German Stasi.
Pauli, a local CSU leader in northern Bavaria, said that she has received overwhelming support from other CSU party members, who she said urged her to continue pushing for Stoiber's departure.
"Even though Hoehenberger has resigned nothing has really been cleared up," Pauli told German television. "It's time Stoiber comes clean with what he knows and when he knew it, and says what will happen in the future to critical voices."
She added she would like to speak directly to Stoiber.
"But he says he has no time for a meeting with me," she said. "His autocratic style is the reason he must go." – Reuters

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2006/12/22/the-paper-of-mostly-on-t_e_36924.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eat-the-press/2006/12/22/the-paper-of-mostly-on-t_e_36924.html

The Paper Of (Mostly On The) Record: NYT Runs "Classified" Op-Ed Covered With Blacked-Out Redactions

[WestCoastGal]

I've been playing with paper dolls on the computer. lol

Have a blessed Christmas!

[struwwelpeter]

Scaramella sounds like a good name for a James Bond villain, doesn't it? Actually, he's pretty interesting all on his own.

He was instrumental in the Italy's investigation of the Mitrohin archives, which looked at documents from a former SVR officer. These showed that several left-wing Italian politicians had been on KGB payroll, including Romano Prodi (who replaced Berlusconi as Italian PM after a narrow victory last April).

The hearings went nowhere, and the Italian left-wingers and their allies in the press dismissed the commission as a smear campaign by Berlusconi against the left.

Since the British had no reason to charge Scaramella with anything, it's pretty obvious that all this is payback by the Italian left-wingers.

I think the most interesting thing to come out of the Mitrohin archives investigation was the KGB involvement in Pope John Paul II's assassination.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Have you found the paper doll groups at Yahoo groups.

I found a couple of them and wanted to play with them, before 9-11.

Let me know if you want the links to them.

Merry Christmas.

LOL, thought came, that you did not really mean 'dress them up paper dolls, LOL , I did.

Also found the paint a rock group.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for the info.

Nothing surprises me.

what I wanted to write 30 years ago as fiction, and the writing teacher, suggested I not do so, as it was too far fetched.............LOL, well it has all came to be.

I have a hunch if we knew all the connections in this world, we would run screaming back to the cave.

I remember your having written about the Mitrohin papers, or no, that was Tap the source, as I recall the poster.

I think that is why I like reading the declassified papers, if they are old enough, they have info that was not talked about.

Have a very Merry Christmas.....

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1758154/posts

Suspect wanted in shooting of police officers
LA Daily News ^ | 12/24/2006 | TOMIO GERON AND DON JERGLER,


Posted on 12/24/2006 3:03:48 PM PST by sheana


LONG BEACH -- Police sought the public's help Saturday as they searched for a "known thug" who shot two police officers during a traffic stop Friday on a bustling downtown street. Police Chief Anthony Batts identified the suspect as Oscar Manuel Gallegos, a 36- or 37-year-old Long Beach resident with a lengthy criminal record that includes arrests for drugs, terrorist threats and assault.

Batts urged members of Gallegos' family, some of whom live in Long Beach, to cooperate with police, and had another message for the suspect at a press conference late Saturday.

"Turn yourself in because we are coming from you," Batts said. "You cannot run long enough or far enough until we catch you."

Police issued a warrant for Gallegos' arrest on charges of attempted murder of a police officer. They urged to the public to help but warned that Gallegos should be considered "armed and extremely dangerous."

Batts described Gallegos as a "known thug" and said his first arrest was in 1990 in Long Beach on a firearms violation. He was deported in 1994, he said.

"He may have been deported several times," Batts said.


(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758122/posts

Report: Spanish surgeon flown to Cuba treat to Castro (Is Castro still dead?)
Miami Herald ^ | 12.24.2006 | CAWats


Posted on 12/24/2006 11:23:35 AM PST by CAWats


MADRID, Spain - A leading Spanish surgeon has flown to Cuba to treat Fidel Castro, a Spanish newspaper reported Sunday.

Castro, 80, has not appeared in public since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in July. Since then here has been little information from Cuba regarding his condition. Castro has placed his younger brother, Raul, in charge of government.

Barcelona-based El Periodico said Dr. Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, chief surgeon at Madrid's Gregorio Maranon hospital, was taken to Havana, the Cuban capital, Thursday on a Cuban government chartered flight. The newspaper said he took with him medical material not available in Cuba.

Although aware of Castro's condition, Sabrido was to examine him in person before deciding whether the Cuban leader should undergo more surgery, El Periodico said.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close ally of Castro, recently denied reports that the Cuban communist leader was suffering from cancer.

No one was available Sunday at either the Gregorio Maranon hospital or the Cuban embassy to comment on the Spanish report.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://noiri.blogspot.com/2006/08/iran-justified-final-solution.html

Tuesday, August 01, 2006
IRAN - JUSTIFIED FINAL SOLUTION

This article written by me in April needs to be put up front and center for another look. As time permits I will make some edits to bring it a little closer to today's Hezbollah and Iran aspects. In the meantime read it again to refresh your memory.


PROLOGUE: Military Tactical, Strategic and Intel analysts fall down the same chute that Politicians seem to slide into. An almost total lack of real life assessment capability of Iranian mentality.....................


http://noiri.blogspot.com/2006/04/irans-nukes.html

Sunday, April 09, 2006
IRAN'S NUKES

Iran has recently been announcing that it will show the world something incredible. So far we have seen some missiles, miniature flying boats and missile torpedoes.

It is more than possible and more likely the subject of their "incredible surprise" that Iran could reach proof of concept test stage for its military nuclear program within the time frame forecast; ie: by March or April, 2006.

However, how such a test is undertaken will tell, in reality, the level of credibility of the clerics’ nuclear threat.

If the test were an actual underground explosion, for example, it would highlight the reality that the clerics are attempting to make a statement to domestic and general audiences around the world, not to prove, scientifically, the capability.

Such proof can also be achieved without detonation, by demonstrating the viability of the triggers, and using computer simulation from that point onwards. However, this avenue lacks psychological impact at a political level.

It is possible, if a live weapon were used, that this could be one of the eight or more warheads now in the hands of the Pasdaran Air Force. At least three were acquired from Kazakhstan in December 1991.

By the end of 1991, Iran had all (or virtually all) the components needed to make three operational nuclear weapons: aerial bombs and/or surface-to-surface missile (SSM) warheads. Highly-reliable sources had long ago stated that the weapons were assembled from parts bought in the ex-Soviet Muslim republics.

These weapons became operational as early as February to April 1992. Tehran said it is committed to "providing Syria with a nuclear umbrella before June 1992".

The weapons obtained from Kazakhstan were two nuclear warheads and one aerial nuclear bomb. As well, in April 1992-1993, Iran purchased FOUR more warheads for SCUD-type SSMs which were upgraded in the DPRK.

Since that time, Iran acquired a reported four nuclear weapons from Ukraine, and additional warheads from the DPRK (North Korea). There is also evidence that Iran may have acquired up to six warheads from Ukraine, delivered via Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It is understood that the indigenous production focuses around designs which are essentially the same, or similar to, those of Pakistan. An actual detonation of an Iranian weapon would disclose to sensors much about the type of weapon and the origins of the fissionable materials used in its construction.

continues.......

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1758107/posts?page=7

Target Iran - Air Strike Options
Globalsecurity ^


Posted on 12/24/2006 10:06:55 AM PST by maquiladora


One potential military option that would be available to the United States includes the use of air strikes on Iranian weapons of mass destruction and missile facilities.

continued...........

[nw_arizona_granny]

There are links and connections in the comments, Calpernia has managed to post the missing links to the story of kerry and the communists....granny

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758057/posts



Kerry's VVAW collected US Military intel and met with Soviet KGB agents! FBI Files reveal! (2004)
FBI Files on Vietnam Veterans Against the War and John Kerry ^ | 10/11/2004 | FBI FILES


Posted on 12/24/2006 7:15:07 AM PST by stockpirate


VVAW distributes literature at an event that is used to collect intelligence on military tactics and methods in Vietnam. Considering the fact that the VVAW has meetings with the North Vietnam Communists and VVAW members travel to Moscow and Hanoi, this is a very serious matter. VVAW collects military intelligence concerning US tactics and methods in Vietnam War.


(Excerpt) Read more at freerepublic.com ...

[nw_arizona_granny]

[gentle reminders in comments]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1758192/posts?page=19

Report Criticizes FBI's Okla. City Probe
ABC News ^ | 12-24-06 | JOHN SOLOMON


Posted on 12/24/2006 5:47:01 PM PST by mfnorman


WASHINGTON Dec 24, 2006 (AP)— The FBI failed to fully investigate information suggesting other suspects may have helped Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols with the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, allowing questions to linger more than a decade after the deadly attack, a congressional inquiry concludes.

The House International Relations investigative subcommittee will release the findings of its two-year review as early as Wednesday, declaring there is no conclusive evidence of a foreign connection to the attack but far too many unanswered questions remain.


(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...

[nw_arizona_granny]

[another thread]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1758133/posts?q=1&&page=1

AP: Congress Rebukes FBI Over Probe (Oklahoma City Bombing)
Excite news ^ | December 24, 2006 | JOHN SOLOMON, AP


Posted on 12/24/2006 12:21:44 PM PST by LurkedLongEnough


click here to read article

---

The full text of the report is here:

http://intelwire.egoplex.com/2006_12_23_exclusives.html#116690939617012869



13 posted on 12/24/2006 12:56:52 PM PST by JohnBerger

---

THIS excellent FR post ties up the loose ends of the Clinton coverup engineered by Gorlick...
IMHO it *perfectly* explains WHY we took out Saddam - it was revenge for his involvement in 9/11 attempt #1, OKC, TWA800 (remember Pierre Salinger was adamant in claiming it was shot down given the huge number of eyewitnesses), and of course, 9/11 attempt #2. I am *amazed* that Clinton tried to pin OKC on "the VRWC" and the "right wing militias".

What the really big mystery to me is that, GWB and the GOP have not called the Dims on this and have allowed the coverup to proceed.

Perhaps they are afraid of what might happen if the full story were told.

A truly great game is afoot and we are only seeing a small, fleeting piece of it as it continues to unfold.


20 posted on 12/24/2006 1:42:38 PM PST by chilepepper (The map is not the territory -- Alfred Korzybski)
[Hidden link to article]

---

Check these google links about Gorelick+Murrah+memo=freerepublic.com.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=gorelick+murrah+memo+site%3Afreerepublic.com

Supposedly, the memo that came from Washington to officials in OKC, that told them to cease looking for foreign involvement, came from Gorelick's Washington office soon after the bombing. She was also instrumental in adding to the so-called Wall between the FBI and CIA. Care to speculate why she was appointed to the 9-11 Commission?

23 posted on 12/24/2006 2:00:42 PM PST by TomGuy

---

Another article about this:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53485

And the corresponding FR thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1757721/posts

Both of these from Dec 23, 2006.



28 posted on 12/24/2006 2:42:16 PM PST by upchuck

---

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758152/posts

‘Santa’s Helper’ delivers gifts to foreign nationals at Taji
Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^


Posted on 12/24/2006 2:57:06 PM PST by SandRat


CAMP TAJI -- One of the toughest times during a Soldier’s deployment is the holidays, but Soldiers are not the only ones who are homesick and miss their loved ones. Spc. Nicole Daly, a motor vehicle operator, for the 1157th Transportation Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard, attached to 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, often sees the smiling faces of the men who work at the “bag farm,” a bulk fuel re-supply point where the fuel containers look like oversized bags.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1757796/posts

Iran's Security Apparatus
KRSI RADIO - VOICE OF IRAN ^


Posted on 12/23/2006 10:37:31 AM PST by FARS




IRAN'S SECURITY APPARATUS

[nw_arizona_granny]

TerroristWarning.com Terrorism Headlines 12/24/2006 Extended Edition

Todays edition includes extra items from TransitSecurityReport.com - most incidents appearing in TerroristWarning.com and TransitSecurityReport.com also appear at www.GlobalIncidentMap.com

National:

[KOIN] OREGON - Suspicious Powder Found In Mail

"Two letters containing a suspicious powder are being investigated Friday after being received at two state agencies"

http://www.koin.com/Global/story.asp?S=5851850

See also http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_122206_news_suspicious_powder.3624f1db.html

[Laurentian Media] CANADA - Sudbury man found in possession of pipe bomb

http://www.northernlife.ca/News/PoliceandCourt/2006/12-21-06-pipe_bomb.asp?NLStory=12-21-06-pipe_bomb

[AP] TENNESSEE - Homes, businesses evacuated after bomb found in apartment

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5852115

[WHIOTV.com] OHIO - FBI Seeks Identification Of Person Of Interest In Suspicious Letters Found [Photo]

http://www.whiotv.com/news/10592864/detail.html

[Dayton Daily News] OHIO - FBI arrests suspect in mysterious envelope case

"has been charged in a federal complaint with violating Threatening to Transfer a Biological Hazard and Threatening to Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction"

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/12/23/ddn122306fbiweb.html

[The Journal] WEST VIRGINIA - Farmer loses 90 cattle to poison

"A Kabletown man recently lost 90 of his beef cattle, which were poisoned under mysterious circumstances"

http://www.journal-news.net/news/articles.asp?articleID=5878

[AP] NEW JERSEY - FBI probes vandalism at quail farm [Animal Liberation Front]

"FBI is looking for animal rights activists who vandalized holding pens at a Somerset County quail farm, leading to the deaths of several dozen birds they released in the name of stopping animal cruelty"

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--animalterrorism1222dec22,0,1629379.story?coll=ny-region-apnewjersey

[KFSN-TV] CALIFORNIA - Porterville Terror Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea

"accused of trying to buy stolen military weapons to send to the Middle East"

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=4873025

[Savannah Morning News] GEORGIA - Police seize German grenades from mobile home

"Officers seized several canisters containing explosive-making materials, including German military grenades, igniters, fuses and consumer fireworks"

"told detectives that he planned to sell the explosives"

http://savannahnow.com/node/200960

[WND] OKLAHOMA - OKC City Bombing - Probe of Islamic ties obstructed by feds

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53485

[WAVY TV] VIRGINIA - Va. Beach Hazmat team investigates sickening odor at library

"They started feeling nausea, dizziness and one of them had slight hives"

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=5848112&nav=menu45_17_4_16

[Chicago Tribune] 12/21 - ILLINOIS - 2 chemical bombs explode in Lockport [MacGyver bombs]

"Around 8:40 p.m. one bomb, made up of a mixture of household chemicals inside a plastic bottle, went off in the 15300 block of Chestnut Circle. At about the same time a similar explosive detonated in the 15000 block of Douglas Parkway, both in the Whispering Pines subdivision"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/chi-0612220185dec22,1,2565129.story?coll=chi-newslocalssouthwest-hed

[The Record] CALIFORNIA - Grenade found near Stockton church

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/A_NEWS/61222006

[Jim Kouri] OKLAHOMA - Oklahoma Man Charged with Making Terrorist Threat

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/21396.html

[Paul L. Williams Defense Fund] CANADA / USA - About the Defense - 8 Points [TW Editor - Important situation to be aware of]

http://www.paulwilliamsdefensefund.com/about.html

International:

[KUNA] ISRAEL - Bomb placed near Fatah office in Gaza de-activated

http://www.kuna.net.kw/home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=936625

[Bangkokpost.com] THAILAND - Bomb explodes at Yala shop

"A bomb went off at a grocery shop owned by a government official in Yala Saturday afternoon, damaging the goods in the store"

"suspected insurgents hid a bomb in a cooler in the shop, then detonated it from a distance by mobile phone"

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115393

[AP] NIGERIA - Saboteurs bomb Nigerian water pipeline

"Brig. Gen. Alfred Ilogho said dynamite had been placed under a water pipe leading to a refinery in Warri, a town in Nigeria's southern Delta state"

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/business-70/1166875742318880.xml&storylist=business

[Reuters] NIGERIA - Bomb explodes in Nigeria's oil capital

" near the headquarters of Rivers State government in Nigeria's oil capital Port Harcourt shortly after militants said they were about to detonate two car bombs in the region"

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20971184-1702,00.html

[Reuters] NIGERIA - Nigerian militants say two more car bombs planted

http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-12-23T125145Z_01_WAN346293_RTRIDST_0_OZATP-NIGERIA-MILITANTS-20061223.XML

[Reuters] IRAQ - Security developments in Iraq, Dec 23

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=KHA336533&WTmodLoc=World-R5-Alertnet-4

[eitb] IRAQ - Al-Qaida leader in Iraq offers one-month truce for US to leave

http://www.eitb24.com/portal/eitb24/noticia/en/international-news/posted-on-an-islamic-web-site-al-qaida-leader-in-iraq-offers-one-?itemId=B24_26741&cl=%2Feitb24%2Finternacional&idioma=en

See also http://www.portage-emploi.com/article-20061223-3335.html

[DPA] TURKEY - Turkish Police Arrest Kurdish Bombing Suspect

"Police found 12 kilos of plastic explosives, electric bomb fuses, a handgun and false identity documents "

http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_6174-Turkish-Police-Arrest-Kurdish-Bombing-Suspect.html

[RxPG] INDIA - Three Maoist trainers killed in Maharashtra

http://www.rxpgnews.com/india/Three-Maoist-trainers-killed-in-Maharashtra_9632.shtml

[The Times] UNITED KINGDOM - Police hunt for 'English brothers' who spent year in al-Qaeda camp

"Police are trying to trace a gang of British Muslims who are thought to have returned to plot terror attacks in Britain after being trained abroad for more than a year by al-Qaeda, Nine Britons, all said to be in their twenties, were among a group of 12 Western recruits groomed by al-Qaeda at a secret camp near the Afghan border to set up new terror cells in London and other Western capitals"

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2516850,00.html

[Guardian] KENYA - Fourteen die in outbreak of rare viral disease [Rift Valley Fever]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,,1978068,00.html

[ITAR-TASS] RUSSIA - 3 policemen hurt in house explosion in Moscow

"Tenants found a suspicious jar filled with white powder on the stairs and called the police"

http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11110845&PageNum=0

[IANS] INDIA - Commandant killed, four soldiers wounded in Kashmir

"A commandant of the Indian Army was killed and four soldiers were seriously wounded in a gun battle between separatist Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) guerrillas and security forces in a north Kashmir village Saturday"

http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26195

[Reuters] AFGHANISTAN - US says kills top Taliban leader [Akhtar Mohammad Osmani- good riddance]

"U.S. forces said on Saturday they had killed the Taliban's military chief in southern Afghanistan, who had close links to Osama bin Laden and was heir to the rebel leadership"

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/24/worldupdates/2006-12-23T210241Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_-281309-4&sec=Worldupdates

[AP] IRAQ - Gunmen Slay Iraqi Intelligence Officer

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2747862

[AP] PAKISTAN - Gunmen kill university professor in northwestern Pakistan

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/23/asia/AS_GEN_Pakistan_Shooting.php

[PTI] INDIA - Ten militants surrender in J&K

"spokesman said the surrendered militants have disclosed that they were lured into "Jehad" and given training in handling of arms and ammunition "

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200612231860.htm

[PTI] INDIA - Bomb found in bank in Andhra

"anonymous caller informed the branch manager that a powerful bomb was planted in the bank"

"bomb was later defused"

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1877888,0006.htm

[AP] IRAN - U.N. Security Council Agrees to Sanctions for Iran

"resolution orders all countries to ban the supply of specified materials and technology that could contribute to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. It also imposes an asset freeze on key companies and individuals in the country's nuclear and missile programs named on a U.N. list.

If Iran refuses to comply, the resolution warns Iran that the council will adopt further nonmilitary sanctions"

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=nation_world&id=4877352

[AFP] IRAN - Explosives seized in Iran [Car bomb]

"The discovered explosives contained 115 pounds (52kg) of TNT with a huge destructive capacity"

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=124033&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17

See also http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Gulf%2C+Middle+East+%26+Africa&month=December2006&file=World_News2006122324350.xml

[AFP] INDIA - Highly radioactive material stolen in India

"Police in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand are hunting for a container packed with highly radioactive material stolen from a research facility"

"It carries uranium and radiation could have an adverse effect in an area of 1.5 kilometres"

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1817908.htm

[typicallyspanish.com] SPAIN - ETA explosives cache found in Vizcaya

"cache was only set up in the last few days and consisted of 50 kilos of chemicals used to make explosives"

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_8082.shtml

[Xinhua] CHINA - State-level anti-terrorist exercise in China

http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26184

[ABS-CBN] PHILIPPINES - Discovery of 'motorcycle bomb' prompts alert

"military recovered a "motorcycle bomb" in Esperanza, in Sultan Kudarat after it received information that local terrorists are allegedly planning to sow terror in three Mindanao cities"

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=60470

[AP] INDONESIA - Churches under terror alert

"US Embassy in Jakarta and Australian authorities warned that the threat of an attack over the holiday season was "serious" and "credible" and that foreigners could be targeted, but did not say on what the alert was based on"

http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,21985,20971449-663,00.html

[Daily Telegraph] INDONESIA - Bali Christmas bombing alert

"We do have some information about possible specific terrorist attacks"

http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,,20965183-5006009,00.html

[Al Nisr] INDIAN OCEAN - Pirates of the Indian Ocean

"In fact, they have been taking a new form with pirates targeting vessels carrying oil, gas, petrochemicals or minerals. For example, in March 2005, 35 pirates armed with rocket launchers targeted an Indonesian chemical tanker while crossing the Malacca Straits, one of the world's busiest waterways. And a month later, gun-wielding pirates hijacked a vessel carrying a cargo of tin worth $4.6 million while heading to Singapore from Indonesia"

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10091721.html

[Zee] PAKISTAN - Gunmen kill `US spy` in Pakistani tribal area

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=344092&sid=SAS

[The Hindu] INDIA - Two militants killed in Baramulla

http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/25/stories/2006122502461100.htm

[RIA Novosti] RUSSIA - Two militants surrender in Chechnya

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20061224/57684804.html

[KUNA] ALGERIA - Algerian security forces kill three militants

"Algerian security forces killed three militants and arrested 14 others in Boumerdes state, 54 kilometers east Algiers, in a large-scale combing operation"

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=936973

[EKathiMerini] GREECE - Athens: Police stations’ security upped

"Parts of streets in front of Athens police stations are being closed to protect the buildings against attacks from self-styled anarchists"

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100014_23/12/2006_78182

Aircraft/ Airports/ Aviation/ Airspace Incursions/ Stolen Aircraft/ etc:

[Conservative Voice/ AP] NEW YORK - US Airways Flight Returns after Threatening Note from Passenger [1 in custody]

"pilot of the flight is said to have asked for authorities to detain and interview all passengers on the flight and to thoroughly check the plane and baggage"

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/21428.html

See also http://www.wmtw.com/news/10602493/detail.html

[680News] CANADA - Inquiry launched into Pearson security lapse

"inquiry into reports that thousands of bags went unchecked during the October holiday travel period"

http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20061222_100858_3520

[AP] MISSOURI - Sacramento Man Hides $70,000 From Airport Security

"A Northern California man who told Kansas City airport security that the $70,000 bulging his pants pockets were Muslim prayer books"

http://cbs13.com/local/local_story_355095223.html

Railways/ Trains/ Light Rail/ Subways/ Trolleys/ Tubes/ Railway Bridges and Tunnels:

[PTI] INDIA - Militants attack running train in Assam

"Passengers of the Arunachal Express had a miraculous escape when militants exploded a powerful bomb and opened fire damaging 10 coaches"

http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/23/stories/2006122316860100.htm

See also http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1070666

[AFP] NEW YORK - 'Bomb could flood NY tunnels'

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,9294,2-10-1462_2048143,00.html

[AP] NEW YORK - Report: Government analysis shows NYC commuter rail tunnels vulnerable to small bomb attack

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/12/23/news/latest_news/018761676044014e8625724c004ef81e.txt


Seaports/ Shipping/ Cruises/ Ferries/ Maritime Security/ Cargo Security/ Container Security/ Lakes/ Waterways:

[Contra Costa Times] CALIFORNIA - Mystery ship raises concerns

"Ferry went missing, raises questions about security on the Delta"

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/16306198.htm

[ABC News Online] SRI LANKA - Tamil Tigers deny ship incident was pirate attack

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1817919.htm

See also http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/World/Rest_of_World/LTTE_rebels_seize_Jordanian_ship/articleshow/910600.cms

See also http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/3808

[Al Nisr] INDIAN OCEAN - Pirates of the Indian Ocean

"In fact, they have been taking a new form with pirates targeting vessels carrying oil, gas, petrochemicals or minerals. For example, in March 2005, 35 pirates armed with rocket launchers targeted an Indonesian chemical tanker while crossing the Malacca Straits, one of the world's busiest waterways. And a month later, gun-wielding pirates hijacked a vessel carrying a cargo of tin worth $4.6 million while heading to Singapore from Indonesia"

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/columns/world/10091721.html

Bridge, Tunnel, and Dam Security:

[AP] UNITED KINGDOM - Report: 'Chunnel' Possible Terror Target

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=nation_world&id=4879119

[Hot Air (blogger)] UNITED KINGDOM - Merry Christmas: Jihadis plotting to blow up the Chunnel

http://hotair.com/archives/2006/12/24/merry-christmas-jihadis-plotting-to-blow-up-the-chunnel/

See also http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=3b6f9631-5305-4ee7-931a-f6a09d4291a1&k=97036

Other/ Opinion/ Industry News/ General Relevance etc:

[UPI] USA - GAO to test US airport perimeter security

"Congressional investigators plan to launch a major test of U.S. airport perimeter security and the screening of airport employees next year"

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20061222-040314-3016r

[ComputerWorld.com] USA - OPINION - The inadequacy of airport security

http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/4226

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?fr=yalerts-keyword&c=&p=gun+at+school&ei=utf-8

1. Another Student Arrested For Bringing Gun To School Open this result in new window
KKCO Grand Junction - Dec 24 4:45 PM
For the second time this month, the Grand Junction Police Department is investigating a case of a gun being brought onto the grounds of Grand Junction High School.
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2. Assistant principal kills 2, himself Open this result in new window
AP via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 34 minutes ago
A school administrator shot to death his ex-wife's boyfriend and another man, and wounded a third person before turning the gun on himself, police said Sunday.
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3. Three teens arrested after gun confiscation Open this result in new window
News 10 Now Syracuse - Dec 24 6:18 AM
State Police have arrested three teenagers in connection with a burglary in Marietta. Troopers arrested Shawn Kazacos, 16, after they learned he had a gun at Tully High School.
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4. At home, they're sheriff's boys; out there, they're men Open this result in new window
St. Petersburg Times - 4 minutes ago
All three of the Nugent sons are bound for the military or already there. SPRING HILL - Sheriff Richard Nugent took his three sons to the gun range last week and drew a few curious onlookers.
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5. Mich. shooter kills 2, self Open this result in new window
AP via Yahoo! News - Dec 24 5:56 PM
A school administrator shot to death his ex-wife's boyfriend and another man, and wounded a third person before turning the gun on himself, police said.
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6. Gunfire at Boynton Beach Mall leaves one dead Open this result in new window
Sun-Sentinel - 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
A fight among possible gang members exploded into violence at Boynton Beach Mall while it was packed with Christmas Eve shoppers.
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7. Teen facing charges for bringing gun to school Open this result in new window
The Journal Times - Dec 23 12:23 AM
RACINE - An 18-year-old Mount Pleasant man is charged with possession of a firearm in a school zone, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest following an incident outside Park High School after Tuesday's boys' basketball game.
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8. School crime getting more publicity Open this result in new window
The State - 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
Lexington County school officials say that, despite an uptick in publicity, they have not seen an increase in school crime this year.
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9. Middle School Student Brings BB Gun To School Open this result in new window
WRTV TheIndyChannel.com via Yahoo! News - Dec 20 5:07 AM
Two students were arrested Tuesday at a Columbus middle school after a BB gun that looked like a handgun was found.
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10. Collier student charged with brining BB gun to school Open this result in new window
FOX 10 Mobile - Dec 21 5:15 AM
NAPLES, Fla. A third Collier County student has been arrested in a gun-related incident at school this week. A 13-year-old Pine Ridge Middle School brought a B-B...
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[nw_arizona_granny]

[My thanks to Laura for sharing her very real Christmas with us.]

Christmas in Cairo



I have had numerous requests from readers to share the Christmas
chapter from my book Inshallah with those on the list.

The following excerpt discusses my first Christmas in Egypt 24 years
ago.

Merry Christmas!

Laura

Christmas has always been my favorite
holiday. I love everything about the
season: the smells of baking, the colorful lights, the beautiful
decorations. I love decorating my Christmas
tree, and cooking Christmas dinner, and getting together with friends
and
family.

When I left for Cairo, I really didn't think about
the
changes a new life in a new country would bring to my holiday
traditions. In retrospect, I think that somehow I knew
that I would be making my own new traditions.

I never imagined that many of the
things that I just assumed would be present for the holidays would be
unavailable. I had no clue of the extent
to which I'd be forced to improvise if I really, really wanted to
celebrate
Christmas.

And it never occurred to me that
being married to a Muslim might put a crimp in my Christmas style.

That first year, I realized around the end
of the first week in December that I hadn't seen any Christmas trees
for
sale. I began to wonder how soon they
would be available. But by the middle of
the month I was getting concerned.

There was no way I could celebrate
Christmas without a Christmas tree.

I asked Hassan about a tree; as
usual he promised that we would go find a tree "this weekend". I knew
from experience that promises such as
that would never be kept. Besides, I
wasn't even sure that Hassan would know where to buy a Christmas tree.

I knew that if I was going to have a
Christmas tree that year it was going to be up to me to find one.

I checked with my friends at work;
surely someone at the office would know where to find a tree. I
learned that you could buy Christmas trees
in Maadi, but that the trees cost over a hundred Egyptian pounds each.
I mentally filed that away as a last resort,
and began looking seriously for a cheaper alternative. I thought
perhaps I would find one in
Zamalek.

That evening, around 7 pm, we had
just finished dinner, when there was a knock on the apartment door. I
looked at Hassan.

"Are
you expecting someone?" I asked.

Hassan
said "No" then went to answer the door.

Three
of the women from the office were standing there, supporting the most
scrawny,
straggly, pitiful Christmas tree I've even seen. It was a tree that
even Charlie Brown would
have had trouble dealing with. But it
was the most beautiful sight I'd seen in a long time.

There
was something incredibly special about the fact that three devout
Muslim women
from my office, two of them wearing the hijab, cared enough to go out
and find
a Christmas tree for me and bring it to my home in the evening!

"We
want you to have nice Christmas tree, Madame Laura," said Sabah,
speaking on behalf of the three women.
"Merry Christmas!"

I
invited them in for tea, but they insisted on leaving right away, since
they
werein a taxi. It was hard to believe
that they had brought a Christmas tree to Giza
in a taxi cab!

My
first impulse was to decorate the tree, but I realized I didn't have
any lights
or ornaments. But I had a serious case
of the Christmas spirit, so I decided to bake Christmas cookies and
take them
to work the next morning. Since I still
had plenty of molasses and flour and sugar left from Thanksgiving, I
was able
to make a nice assortment of Christmas cookies, although without cookie
cutters
I had to hand cut each cookie.

The
cookies were well-received at the office the next morning. Only the
company
owner, Mr. Adly, and a few of the sales reps had traveled to the US,
and none of
them had been there for the Christmas holidays.
Christmas cookies were something that none of the staff had seen
before,
and they loved them. Everyone wanted to
know how to make the cookies, so Sabah and I
spent an hour working together to translate the recipes from English
into
Arabic.

On
my lunch hour, I headed into the souq to buy lights and ornaments for
my
Christmas tree. I was able to find
several strings of miniature Christmas lights, but wasn't able to find
any
ornaments.

By
now I knew better than to panic. I knew
that someone would be able to tell me where to find just about anything
in Cairo.

Sure
enough, when I asked Sabah, Nahla, and Mervet,
they all exclaimed "Groppi!"

Groppi
is an Egyptian landmark. It is a
wonderful shop that is a combination of a bakery, a candy store, and a
coffee
shop, in downtown Cairo. Groppi has been in business for decades, and
was considered a high society hangout in the colonial British days of
Cairo.

At
Christmas Groppi had something no other store in Cairo had at the time.
The confectionaires at Groppi created
ornaments in traditional Christmas shapes out of rich, dark chocolate,
and
wrapped them in green, red, gold, and silver foil. They even included
a little string ornament
hanger.

An
annual tradition was born! Even now, 23
years later, I miss having those wonderful Groppi confections on my
tree.

As
Christmas quickly approached, I began to wonder about Christmas gifts.
Would my Muslim friends be offended if I gave
them a gift celebrating a Christian holiday?
How could I bring up the subject with my Egyptian friends, without
making them feel like they were expected to give me a gift?

I
finally settled on having a small Christmas party at my apartment, with
Christmas cookies and candies. I wrapped
a plate of holiday goodies in colorful red and green foil for each of
my
friends, and attached a booklet containing each of the recipes.

Needless
to say the party and the gifts were a bit hit.

Christmas
morning, I went to work as usual. We
still did not have a telephone installed - in Cairo it took years to
get a phone installed
- and my parents were going to call me at the office.

One
by one, every single person in the office, from the owner down to the
cleaning
man, came in to wish me Merry Christmas.
I was very touched by their thoughtfulness.

Mervet
and Sabah had even decorated a small potted
tree in my office with Groppi ornaments and a string of lights.

As
soon as I finished the phone call with my parents, the owner told me to
take
the rest of the day off. I didn't have
the heart to tell them that my festivities would almost certainly end
when I
left the office for the day. I didn't
expect Hassan to be celebrating Christmas - not in Egypt. I didn't
expect a Christmas gift from
Hassan. In fact, during the entire time
we were married, he never once gave me a Christmas or birthday gift.

But
I didn't count on Hassan's family!

All
three of his brothers and one of his sisters came to visit that
evening,
bringing Christmas gifts. I invited them
to stay for Christmas dinner - after all, thanks to Um Sami, I had
everything I
needed except for Cranberry Sauce.

Just
as we were sitting down for dinner, a friend from the Embassy arrived
with a
Christmas gift: a can of gelled
Cranberry Sauce!

I
shrieked in joy! Real cranberry
sauce! In Cairo!

I
insisted that everyone try a little cranberry sauce with their turkey
and
dressing. No one seemed to understand
what the big deal was about cranberry sauce.
I finally explained that it was traditional and it was almost
impossible
to have Christmas without cranberry sauce.

Emad
laughed and said the next time he went to America he would bring me
back
several cans so that all of my Christmases would be wonderful.

I
was touched.

Emad
told me that the Qu'ran includes the story of Jesus as well. He asked
Hassan to read the Sura telling of
the birth of Christ.

Hassan
pulled out the English translation of the Qu'ran he had bought for me
in hopes
that I would convert. He began to read
from the Book of Maryam, who Muslims believe is the mother of Jesus:

And mention in the Book (the Qur'ân, O
Muhammad, the story of) Maryam (Mary),
when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.
She placed a screen (to screen herself) from
them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he
appeared
before her in the form of a man in all respects. She said: "Verily! I
seek refuge with
the Most Beneficent (Allâh) from you, if you do fear Allâh." (The
angel) said: "I am only a
Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous
son." She said: "How can I
have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?" He said:
"So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allâh): And
(We
wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh),
and it
is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allâh).' " So she conceived him,
and
she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem
valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).

The similarities were striking, but
it wasn't the story I had grown up with.

So I was surprised when Emad asked me to
tell the Christmas story. After all,
they were all practicing Muslims.

Hassan briefly objected, but Emad
told him that Jesus was a Prophet of Islam, and that Muslims should
join in the
celebrations of Christ's birth. He
insisted that we had just heard the story of the birth of Jesus from
the Qu'ran
and that there was nothing wrong with hearing it from another book of
God as
well.

I instantly realized that Emad had figured
out that my conversion to Islam was a farce.
I was grateful to him for not "outing" me, and for giving me the
opportunity to read the Christmas story out loud.

I went to my bedroom, and pulled out
my well-worn Bible.

I lit candles in the living room,
turned down the lights, and in the glow from the candles and the
Christmas tree
lights began to read from the Bible.

"And it came to pass in those days, that
there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should
be
taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of
Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also
went up
from Galilee, out of the city called Nazareth,
into Judea, unto the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem:
(because he was of the house and lineage of David).

And as I read the scriptures, a
chill went through my body.

I was in an ancient land, that had
played a major role in much of the Biblical history that I studied as a
child
and that I so loved.

I was in Egypt,
the land into which Joseph was sold in bondage, where his brothers
sought refuge
from the famine, the place that Moses led the children

of Israel from,
and the same land that Mary and Joseph fled to with the infant Jesus
when
Herrod issued the decree to kill all newborn Jewish boys.

Egypt
was now my home.

Would I find refuge or would I have
to flee for my life?

---

For more translations and news on terrorism, visit
http://www.lauramansfield.com

or visit our forum at http://www.lauramansfield.com/forum/


Strategic Translations is a service provided by Laura Mansfield through
http://www.lauramansfield.com

[nw_arizona_granny]

[Now the English cops are getting the poison]

Litvinenko contacts may agree to speak to Russians


http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/reuters/2006/12/11/topnews/litvinenko-contacts-may-agree-to-speak-to-russians.html
Litvinenko contacts may agree to speak to Russians
11/12/2006 09:12
By Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Relatives and contacts of murdered Russian ex-spy
Alexander Litvinenko would agree to meet Russian detectives probing
his death if their safety were guaranteed, a family friend said on
Sunday.

Russian prosecutors last week launched their own murder inquiry into
Litvinenko's death from radiation poisoning and a source said they may
fly to London to make inquiries.

British police officers are speaking to witnesses in Moscow.

"If it is important for the British as a way to get access to the
witnesses in Moscow they would agree to speak to the Russians on two
conditions," the former spy's friend Alexander Goldfarb told Reuters,
adding he had spoken by telephone to two Litvinenko associates and his
widow.

"First that it is not on the grounds of the Russian embassy...and
second that the British assure them they (the Russian police) have
been checked for the presence of radioactivity or other tricky
substances or devices," he added.

Goldfarb said Litvinenko's widow, Marina, had agreed to speak to
Russian detectives on the same terms.

In Germany, prosecutors opened an investigation on Sunday into a
Russian associate of Litvinenko's after finding traces of the
radioactive substance polonium in properties he used in Hamburg.
Businessman Dmitry Kovtun met Litvinenko in London on the day he was
poisoned with a lethal dose of polonium 210.

PUTIN CRITICS

If the Russian investigators go to London, they may want to question a
Russian millionaire exile and a Chechen separatist who worked with
Litvinenko. The Kremlin has tried but failed to secure the extradition
of the two men, both of whom are harsh critics of President Vladimir
Putin.

Businessman Boris Berezovsky and Chechen Akhmed Zakayev see the
Russian investigation as a "Kremlin spin operation" but they would
collaborate if it would help the British inquiry, according to
Goldfarb.

Litvinenko, in a statement released after his death on November 23,
accused Putin of masterminding his poisoning.

The Kremlin has denied involvement in the case, which has sparked
conspiracy theories, revived memories of Cold War spying and strained
relations between Russia and Britain.

Marina Litvinenko, in media interviews, said her husband had made
enemies by speaking out about corruption in the FSB, the KGB's
successor. She said Russian authorities might have killed him.

Goldfarb accused Moscow of shielding Kovtun and another witness,
Andrei Lugovoy, from British police by fabricating stories about their
health. Both met Litvinenko in London on November 1, the day he was
poisoned.

News media have said Lugovoy and Kovtun are suffering from the same
radiation poisoning that killed Litvinenko but there are conflicting
reports about Kovtun's condition.

"It's clearly part of a cover-up," Goldfarb said.

Another Litvinenko contact, Italian KGB expert Mario Scaramella,
expressed frustration with British health authorities after he was
admitted to hospital a week ago for radiation poisoning and given a
clean bill of health on Saturday.

Police in London said two officers who worked on the Russian probe had
been contaminated with relatively low levels of polonium. Seven bar
staff from the London hotel where Litvinenko met contacts have also
tested positive for radiation.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Iran's Spies
http://www.harlowcitizen.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1090015.mostviewed.irans_spies.php
Iran's Spies
By Neil Mackay

TO British and American intelligence officers, the court appearance on Wednesday of a British soldier on charges of spying for the Iranian regime was not a shock. "We know that the Iranians are crawling all over us - particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq," one UK intelligence source said. "This kind of event has long been expected."

Last week, corporal Daniel James, a British soldier of Iranian extraction, was charged under the Official Secrets Act with passing secrets to the enemy. He was a trusted aide and interpreter for lieutenant-general David Richards, head of Nato forces in Afghanistan. If the allegations are true, Iranian intelligence have penetrated the very heart of the British military.

While it is an open secret that Iranian spies are operating with something approaching impunity in Iraq and also Afghanistan, the hidden story is the activity of Iranian intelligence operatives in western Europe and America. In Britain, France, Holland, Germany and the US, Iranian intelligence has run a relentless covert war against dissident Iranians and exiles from the religious regime for over two decades. After the 1979 theocratic revolution, tens of thousands of Iranians fled their homeland seeking refuge in the West.

Tehran's revolutionary government infiltrated spies within this throng of exiles. These "sleepers" had two purposes: one, to spy on dissident organisations; and, two, to get into positions of power in the West - in areas such as academia, the media and industry - which could be exploited by Iran to extract secrets from Western nations and influence the policy-making of governments in Europe and America.

A number of documents from the German and Dutch security agencies, which have been seen by the Sunday Herald, reveal the extent of Iranian espionage in Western Europe. One 2005 report by Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution roughly equivalent to Britain's MI5 stated: "Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) has several groups under surveillance in Europe ... for collecting information and spying activities, Iran's intelligence service uses a network of agents who have defected from dissident organisations. The agents are invited to travel to Iran for briefings. In the process of the talks these people are put under pressure.

"For agent recruitment, the MOIS ... brings psychological pressure to bear on the targeted person, eg by threatening them with reprisals on their relatives living in Iran. Those who do not travel to Iran are contacted and directed from Iran by phone."
Advertisement continued...

Holland's Interior Security Service says that Iranian intelligence "distributes negative information" on dissidents and "strives to portray a Satanic view" of anti-Tehran refugees in order to weaken the opposition in exile. Ex-members of dissident groups who have been turned by Iranian intelligence are encouraged to write diatribes against exile groups. As well as using threats and intimidation to turn espionage targets, bribes are also employed.

Another German security report said that Iranian intelligence used the embassy in Berlin as the centre for its spying activities. Intelligence chiefs in Iran direct the European operations. The report states that when it comes to recruiting spies from exiles, "Tehran will make the final decision".

The German intelligence report also notes that an Iranian living in Germany was arrested for "working as an agent of the Iranian secret service". He had been spying on "Iranian dissidents living in Frankfurt under instructions of MOIS".

German intelligence feared that Iranian spies would carry out an act of terror during the World Cup and then blame it on exiles and dissidents in Europe in order to discredit their opponents internationally.

One MOIS spy revealed details of his espionage operations against dissidents and exiles in an affidavit he submitted to the US courts. Jamshid Tafrishi said: "I pretended that I was an opponent of the Iranian regime, while I was in fact advancing the assignments given by the Iranian Intelligence Ministry." He says he "actively participated in the Iranian regime conspiracy" to blacken the names of exiles. This included relaying false information to foreign governments, including claims that dissidents had the support of Saddam Hussein.

Between 1995 and 1999, he received some £35,000 from Iranian intelligence chiefs as payment for work on their behalf. Tafrishi said one of the senior spies he reported to had orchestrated the murder of at least 100 dissidents in Iran. He was told by his handlers that if dissidents could be discredited, then Tehran believed "the United Nations would no longer condemn the Iranian regime".

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International were targeted, Tafrishi claimed, as recipients of disinformation and black propaganda about exiles and dissidents by Iranian intelligence, as was the US State Department and UN Human Rights Commission.

Clare Lopez, a high-ranking CIA officer of 20 years standing and now a senior adviser to the Iran Policy Committee, a Washington-based think-tank which advocates democracy in Iran, says: "The Iranian regime deploys its intelligence agents and assets in a very sophisticated campaign to infiltrate and influence Western academia, media, non-governmental organisations and policy-making structures.

"They make extensive use of the internet and fund or manage dozens of online websites. The MOIS are masters of disinformation, denial and deception - all crafted to lull the international community into acceptance of the terrorist regime in Tehran, compel us to abandon any serious punitive action at the UN Security Council over their nuclear weapons programme, and smear the reputation of Iranian dissidents and exiles who oppose the clerical clique that rules Iran today."

Lopez says that "Iranian intelligence agents have been implicated in assassinations, bombings and terrorist attacks around the world since the 1979 Iranian revolution". According to Lopez, as well as sources in British intelligence, the pace of Iranian espionage has increased dramatically since avowed hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became Iran's president in 2005.

One of the most audacious Iranian intelligence operations ever was launched in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. One of the highest-ranking official in the British Ministry of Defence told the Sunday Herald that Iranian intelligence used Iraqi exiles - who were desperate to have Saddam deposed - to pass fake intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes to the West.

The Iranian operation, however, does not let the US and the UK off the hook for massaging intelligence and lying to the British and American people about weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Britain and America were already running two secret "spin units" - Operation Rockingham in the UK and the Office of Special Plans in America - designed to bypass traditional intelligence analysts within the CIA and MI6 and exaggerate claims about Iraq's nuclear, biological and chemical capabilities in order to concoct a false premise for war.

The Iranian operation involved Tehran spies funnelling fake intelligence on Saddam's WMD to organisations like the Iraqi National Congress (INC), which in turn sent the disinformation to London and Washington. The INC was desperate to see Saddam removed, and Washington and London were happy for any bits of information which would bolster the case for war.

Ahmed Chalabi, who led the INC, was later accused by the US of giving American secrets to the Iranians after the invasion. He denied the allegations, but his position as Washington's "pet Iraqi" was soured forever.

The British defence chief said the Iranian operation was "one of the biggest intelligence coups of the century", adding: "It got the US and UK to go to war against Iraq by infiltrating our intelligence services in the most subtle of ways. The operation was quite brilliant."

According to British and American intelligence sources, thousands of Iran's spies from the MOIS and also from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now operating in Iraq. Lopez said that in Iraq, Tehran's spies were "co-ordinating the transfer of advanced IED improvised explosive device technology that kills British, American and other coalition troops; inciting sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia populations; mounting intelligence and surveillance operations against coalition forces; and conducting training of Iraqi insurgent forces".

"Iranian intelligence and security forces also provide safe haven, safe passage, logistics, funding and official documentation support to Iraqi insurgents," she said.

Western intelligence services say that Islamic Revolutionary Guards were in North Korea when it tested long-range missiles back in July and were also there in October when the regime of Kim Jong-il claimed to have exploded a nuclear weapon. Iranian intelligence also assisted Hezbollah during its war against Israel in the summer of this year.

MOIS has an extensive network of front companies around the world that act as cover for Iranian intelligence operatives. These front companies have helped the regime get the technology it has needed to develop its nuclear programme. Iran has been repeatedly accused of carrying out acts of state-sponsored terrorism and assassinating enemies of the regime.

British and US intelligence is engaged in a global cold war with Iranian spies. The US keeps a file on every single Iranian diplomat on the planet, filled with details of their personal and professional relationships and notes on all their movements and meetings. Mossad, Israel's intelligence service, and the security agencies of countries including Jordan and Egypt also assist with counter-espionage work against Iranian intelligence.

MI6 is assisting dissidents in Iran located near the country's southwestern border with Iraq. British special forces and intelligence officers are able to operate in the area by crossing the Shatt al-Arab waterway between Iraq and Iran from the British-controlled southern sector of Iraq. There has been a series of bombings in this oil-producing region of Iran which Tehran has blamed on "foreigners".

British and American intelligence agents are also mounting a push against Iran and increasing espionage activity inside the country. Spy planes are making increasingly frequent reconnaissance missions over Iran.

A significant number of Iranian spies have been educated in the West - particularly in the UK. As well as using embassies as a front for their spies, Iranian intelligence also provides cover and employment for its agents in cultural organisations, the media, charities and businesses.

Following the arrest of corporal James for allegedly working for Iran, one British intelligence source said that the UK spying services were now under more pressure than at any time since the second world war.

"During the cold war, we only had one main enemy to worry about - Soviet Russia. But now we have homegrown Islamic terrorists, al-Qaeda terrorists from abroad, a resurgent Russia that's upped its espionage game, a proliferation of states with weapons of mass destruction like North Korea - and then there is Iran too.

"Iran has one of the most sophisticated intelligence networks on Earth, I believe. They are resourceful, clever and never complacent. They also have a cause and ideology that they believe in and are fighting for. On top of all that, the regime is beset with problems ranging from a creaking economy to a growth in dissent. That all combines to make a nation - and an intelligence system - that is a powerful and hungry adversary," the source said.

10:08pm Saturday 23rd December 2006