Al Qaeda again threatens New York, Washington and Los Angeles

Can't you get it at www.cvs.com ?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1056516/posts

New Intel Source on Al Qaeda Led to Orange Alert
Fox News ^ | Monday, January 12, 2004

Posted on 01/12/2004 2:41:23 PM PST by brazucausa

The nation's terror alert level was raised to orange in the weeks leading up to the holiday season because of threats that Al Qaeda (search) was possibly looking to use explosives on Air France flights, Fox News has confirmed.

For the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, a U.S. intelligence source was able to give officials such specific information about how Usama bin Laden's (search) terror group may be planning imminent attacks in the United States using commercial airliners, U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News. The source provided strategic and tactical details of how the terror network wanted to carry out terror attacks on American political and economic targets.

The story was first reported Monday in USA Today.

U.S. counterterrorism and intelligence officials are cryptic about the new source, whose identity is a closely guarded secret. But USA Today reported that the information could have come from high-tech surveillance.

On Dec. 5, U.S. officials received specific information that Al Qaeda planned to use explosives on two Air France flights between Paris and Los Angeles on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve. Air France (search) subsequently canceled six flights during the holidays based on U.S. terrorism concerns. From Dec. 5 to Dec. 19 the new source revealed potential threats to two more Air France flights and an AeroMexico flight, USA Today reported.

The new intelligence source also revealed that Las Vegas was a target on "12/31" and that up to three other international flights could be blown up or hijacked and crashed into buildings. The Department of Homeland Security had concerns that such flights could be flown from London, Paris and Mexico.

"I know we have a lot of sources and technology that is very in depth and very capable of picking up a lot of info most anywhere in the world and sharing that info with people," Rep. Michael "Mac" Collins, R-Ga., and member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, told Fox News on Monday.

"I think this is just another example of how much we've advanced in our intelligence community in the past three years."

On Fox News Sunday, Mexican President Vicente Fox (search) said the threats were taken seriously by his government.

"Well, let me put it this way. You cannot take risks when life or death is involved," Fox said. "When you get information that some act of terrorism might happen, or when you get intelligence information that you could face problems, you better act. And that's what we did."

Other threats included bin Laden's desire to launch terror attacks on oil and nuclear facilities.

Two traditionally reliable foreign sources also provided U.S. officials with more general information that Al Qaeda was plotting attacks in Valdez, Alaska; Houston and Galveston, Texas; Tappahannock, Va.; Belgium and Saudi Arabia, officials told USA Today. U.S. authorities concluded that terrorists might be targeting oil pipelines, refineries and nuclear power plants in or near those areas.

The rhetoric on radical jihadist Web sites on the Internet also was escalating, some of it predicting that as many as 100,000 Americans would die in an attack by bin Laden's followers between mid-November and early February.

Those sites also urged Muslims in New York, Washington and Los Angeles to leave town for the holidays.

One counterterrorism official told USA Today that although the Web sites tend to contain more bluster than fact, U.S. intelligence agencies became concerned about the "crescendo about mass casualties" on the Internet.

Many agree that although there were no attacks, raising the terror alert level could have thwarted any imminent danger.

"I believe we might have prevented another possible terror attack," Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (search), D-Texas, told Fox News. "I think it might have at least prevented something happening that time and I think it's wise that we continue to be alert because it seems to be a determined efforts to bring pain and suffering" to Americans.

Better Airline Security on the Way

To better boost airline security, U.S. authorities have been testing a computerized system known as CAPPS II (search) to probe the backgrounds of all passengers boarding flights in the United States.

The system would color-code passengers, based on the level of threat they pose before getting on the plane. Those showing up "red" would be detained for questioning" and the information would be used for future legal action, while others showing "green" as posing no threat would be free to board and the information would be wiped from the computer.

The order taking CAPPS II out of the testing phase and into operation could be issued next month, The Washington Post first reported. Foxnews.com confirmed that the government hopes to deploy the system this year.

The General Accounting Office is currently studying the system before it's officially launched.

"If that report shows that the program meets the security and privacy and effectiveness needs as set by Congress, then the program should go forward this year," Peter Kant, vice president of Jefferson Consulting, which represents several of the companies working on CAPPS II.

Meanwhile, French police are still searching for a man believed to have links to Al Qaeda.

Air France said that on Jan. 7, French police were waiting to question a passenger named Abdul Haye, but he didn't show up for the flight from Paris to Los Angeles. The airline said the man was also a no-show for a similar flight on Dec. 24. That flight was canceled due to U.S. concerns over passengers with certain names, including that of "Abdul Haye."

Fox News' Liza Porteus, Anna Stolley and Kelly Wright contributed to this report.

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge, it is very much appreciated. Those that feel they are in an area where this type of protection is needed should check into your information. Please come back and check in here when you can. Warning the thread moves quickly we are almost up to 10,000. Whew!!

Each truck has multiple missles if I understood correctly, mostly conventional, but there are at least six, possibly several more than six, loaded with nasty chem stuff meant to take out control centers etc.

Oh no. We cannot loose this thread. This is where I come to, every morning, as soon as I get up. Lately have checked in during the midnight hours, as I can't sleep. :)

"Potassium Iodide and Potassium Iodate only help if the weapon contains iodine elements in its composition. If there is no Iodine, there is no need for KaI pills."

Exactly. These pills are handed out to folks in the shadows of the nuke power plants who want them to prevent the thyroid from radiation uptake.

If they did happen to make a massive chemical attack on Baghdad, I wonder how we would respond. (I've noticed that many of the jihad rantings include justifications for sacrificing Muslims, if it means the "infidels" are struck.)

By Karen Abbott

Federal authorities have a man from South Africa in custody for allegedly sending U.S.-made parts that can detonate nuclear weapons to Pakistan. Asher Karni, 50, of Cape Town, was arrested around New Year's Day at Denver International Airport when he arrived for a Colorado ski vacation. The exact arrest date could not be determined from court documents available Thursday. The documents said a New Jersey export company with which Karni had corresponded ordered 200 "triggered spark gaps," high-speed electrical switches that can be used as detonating devices in nuclear weapons, from the manufacturer, Perkin Elmer Optoelectronics of Massachusetts.

The triggered spark gaps are on a U.S. government list of items that cannot be shipped to certain countries, including Pakistan, without a special U.S. export license. The license requirement is intended to stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Perkin Elmer officials, cooperating with U.S. agents, sent the first shipment of 66 triggered spark gaps to the New Jersey company as scheduled in September. But Perkin Elmer irreparably disabled the devices first. The New Jersey company allegedly disguised the nature of the triggered spark gaps on shipping documents, describing them as a different item and also claiming they were destined for a hospital in South Africa. Those changes in the shipping documents enabled the New Jersey company to avoid having to get the special export license.

From here.

http://www.pakistan-facts.com/

ANyone heard of this?

Because many of you ask what's new, here are some ARTICLES/SITES that have caught my attention recently:

FBI.gov - War On Terrorism: "SEEKING INFORMATION" (Read More...)

FBI.gov: "MOST WANTED TERRORISTS" (Read More...)

MIAMI.com - THE MIAMI HERALD (AP): "PROMINENT OHIO ISLAMIC LEADER INDICTED" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Imam Fawaz Mohammed Damrah, who leads the Islamic Center of Cleveland, Ohio's largest mosque, withheld information on his membership or affiliation with several groups, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, U.S. Attorney Gregory White said.") (January 13, 2004) (Read More...)

SunTimes.com - CHICAGO SUN TIMES (AP): "NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER FOUND GUILTY IN SPY TRIAL" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A community newspaper publisher accused of spying on Iraqi dissidents in this country was found guilty Monday of serving as an unregistered agent of Saddam Hussein. Khaled Dumeisi, 61, remained calm as the jury delivered its verdict after less than two hours of deliberations in the weeklong trial.") (January 12, 2004) (Read More...)

WorldNetDaily.com: "SAUDI PLEADS GUILTY TO KILLING JEWISH FRIEND No Motive Established but Houston Student Went to Mosque Afterwards" (January 13, 2004) (Read More...)

AZcentral.com - THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC: "SHELL GAS STATION REPORTS THEFT OF 7.300 GALLONS OF GASOLINE" (January 11, 2004) (Read More...)

TRUCKLINE.com - Inside ATA: "HIGHWAY WATCH DRIVERS ASKED TO LOOK FOR STOLEN FUEL TANKER TRUCK" (December 5, 2003) (Read More...)

An Interesting Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com regarding an NBC4.tv article: "POLICE DETAIN MAN WITH GUNS IN CAR AT LAX" (January 12, 2004) (Read More...)

NEWSMAX.com: "AIRLINE INSECURITY: RED SKIES IN CANADA" -Column by Charles R. Smith (January 6, 2004) (Read More...)

HAGANAH INTERNET: "UNMENTIONABLE JIHAD SITE OF THE DAY" (January 11, 2004) (Read More...)

INTERNET HAGANAH (NY POST.com): "'DIRTY BOMBER' HUNT New York Post Exclusive" (January 10, 2004) (Read More...)

BUFFALO NEWS.com: "Federal Probe ALBANNA ACCUSED OF MORE SERIOUS CHARGES" by Dan Herbeck (January 9, 2004) (Read More...)

WorldNetDaily.com: "SAUDI STUDENT INDICTED FOR TERROR From Idaho School Set Up Website to Recruit Holy Warriors" (January 10, 2004) (Read More...)

STARBULLETIN.com - HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN: "UH RECEIVES BOOST IN SECURITY" (January 12, 2004) (Read More...)

NEWS4JAX.com: "MILITARY ID BADGES, UNIFORMS STOLEN FROM AIR FORCE BASE Authorities Issue 'All Points Bulletin' For Woman" (January 8, 2004) (Read More...)

HONOLULU ADVERTISER.com - News Brief: "HONOLULU Waikiki Hotel Burglary Probed" (NEWS BRIEF: "Police are investigating a Waikiki hotel burglary yesterday in which a 50-year-old airline pilot's identification and flight information was stolen from a safe in his room. The burglary at a Koa Avenue hotel that police declined to identify occurred sometime between noon and 5 p.m. No arrests have been made in the case.") (January 8, 2004) (Read More...)

stepping back in time...NIPC.gov/Warnings/InfoBulletins/2003: "POTENTIAL TERRORIST USE OF OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION, UNIFORMS, OR VEHICLES" (July 22, 2003) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "FBI: AL QAIDA STILL RECRUITING IN U.S. PRISONS" (January 8, 2004) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Special Dispatch Series No. 641: "SYRIAN PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN: U.S. REPRESENTATIVES BETRAY THEIR COUNTRY BY BOWING TO ZIONISTS; THE TIME HAS COME TO CREATE AN ARAB LOBBY IN THE U.S." (January 9, 2004) (Read More...)

WorldNetDaily.com: "CANADIAN ISLAMISTS HOST A NEO-NAZI" -Commentary by Daniel Pipes (January 7, 2004) (Read More...)

CANADA.com: "U.S. HOLDS CANADIAN RESIDENT IN CUBA Wife Reveals His Story" by Stewart Bell, National Post (January 7, 2004) (Read More...)

AZSTARNET.com - THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR: "THE BORDER" (Read More...)

FOX NEWS.com: San Diego. "REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: EYES ON THE BORDER" by Adam Housley (January 9, 2004) (Read More...)

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT - Public Announcement - Office of the Spokesperson: "WORLDWIDE CAUTION" (January 9, 2004) (Read More...)

news.YAHOO.com (REUTERS): "INTERPOL WIDENS ALERT NETWORK AFTER PARCEL BOMBS" (January 13, 2004) (Read More...)

THE AUSTRALIAN.news.com.au (AP): "PILOT KILLED AS PLANES STOLEN" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "ARMED men stormed a hangar at a remote border airport in Brazil today, killing a pilot and stealing three single-engine Cessna planes, airport authorities said.") (January 12, 2004) (Read More...)

YAHOO.com - News (AP): "U.S. SENDS ANTI-TERROR TEAM TO WEST AFRICA" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "American officials gave The Associated Press details of the anti-terror program, and Mauritania officials confirmed to AP a massive explosives theft that illustrates why the West is concerned about the region.") (January 12, 2004) (Read More...)

GUARDIAN.co.uk: "AL-QAIDA TERROR PLOT FOILED, SAY FRENCH POLICE" by Jon Henley in Paris (January 12, 2004) (Read More...)

AFTENPOSTEN.no (English) - News From Norway: "COURT ORDERS KREKAR HELD IN JAIL" (January 13, 2004) (Read More...)

AFTENPOSTEN.no - Search Term: "KREKAR" (Mullah Krekar) (Read More...)

ABC.net.au (REUTERS): "UK POLICE ARREST MAN IN SUICIDE BOMB PLAN: REPORT" (January 11, 2004) (Read More...)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "IRAN SENT ARMS TO HIZBULLAH ON AID PLANES" (January 9, 2004) (Read More...)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE No. 642: "INTERVIEW WITH ALGERIAN TERROR LEADER ASSOCIATED WITH AL-QA'IDA: THE ISLAMIC STATE WILL ARISE ONLY THROUGH BLOOD AND BODY PARTS" (January 13, 2004) (Read More...)

Follow up to Uzbekistan Plane Crash:

Top U.N. official among those dead in plane crash
1/13/2004 6:12 PM
By: Associated Press

Tashkent, Uzbekistan-(AP) -- The top United Nations official in Uzbekistan is among at least 36 people killed in a plane crash in the Uzbek capital today.

The plane was an Uzbekistan Airways Yakovlev-40 en route from Termez in the country's far south along the Afghanistan border when it crashed while trying to land in Tashkent.

The airport was shrouded in heavy fog at the time.

The U.N. Development Program identified the U.N. official as Richard Conroy.

Termez became a major hub for humanitarian aid into northern Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, and aid workers and other foreigners commonly fly on flights between that city and the Uzbek capital.

http://www.news24houston.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=22191

where is this thread?

I don't know what we would do. ( It would be horrific. When our forces were facing the possible "red line" around Baghdad, where Saddam had apparently given the OK to launch his chemicals, there was much discussion about chemical protection and antidotes.) Prayers for our troops.

This issue was raised before.

I can go either way. Since I haven't seen any changes, I'm assuming the consensus is to keep it as is.

We're nearing the 10,000 post mark which would be a logical breaking point. If you feel strongly you are free to lead and see if others follow.

-TV

Potassium Iodide and Potassium Iodate only help if the weapon contains iodine elements in ots composition. If there is no Iodine, there is no need for KaI pills.

So how does one know if there is iodine or not?

And if someone has one of those nukalerts (or similar), but no dosimeter, what would the consequences be?

Keep it going. It's a chronological testament to how the threats moved from "fringe" to the "mainstream".

ANd the sheer amounts of incidents.

Go with the flow.

I don't see why this thread should be stopped, only to start a new one.

Wonder if the Hobbit thread of 65,000 or so posts also has its critics?

If anyone has trouble following this one, just start at the newest post, and work your way backwards, as I do. You'll catch up in no time at all.