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Al-Qa'ida May Be Poised To Attack, US Warns (SA, Imminently)
Independent (UK) ^ | 10-26-2003 | Andrew Buncombe

Posted on 10/25/2003 3:25:21 PM PDT by blam

Al-Qa'ida may be poised to attack, US warns

By Andrew Buncombe in Washington
26 October 2003

Concern about a terror attack occurring in Saudi Arabia, possibly imminently, was growing yesterday as the United States issued a warning that it could happen as early as today.

"The embassy continues to receive information that terrorist groups within the kingdom are still active and planning operations," the US embassy in Riyadh said. "It is [our] assessment that terrorist groups may place special operational significance on Ramadan, and American citizens are therefore urged to be particularly vigilant."

The US warning follows similar announcements by Britain and Australia that attacks against Western targets in Saudi Arabia are imminent. Ramadan, which involves a month of fasting, is due to begin today.

Britain's warning on Friday, that "terrorists may be in the final phases of planning attacks", echoed one issued by the UK authorities in May, just days before suicide bombers attacked Western compounds in Riyadh, killing 26 people.

"It doesn't mean we knew then something was going to happen," said one British diplomat in Saudi Arabia. "It meant the planning was in the last stages. The [advice] reflects the assessment that the threat from terror is serious."

While Britain has not advised its citizens to leave Saudi Arabia, it has warned against all non-essential travel to the country. The British defence giant BAe Systems, which employs 5,500 people throughout Saudi Arabia, said it had no plans to evacuate staff, however, and the Saudi ambassador in London, Prince Turki al-Faisal, complained that Britain should have consulted the kingdom before issuing its warning.

In the US, intelligence officials said there had been a recent steady stream of information suggesting plans for fresh attacks against Western targets, but no specific intelligence. Any British knowledge of an imminent or specific attack would be shared with the US and Australian authorities.

Since the attacks in May, the Saudi authorities claim to have been involved in a crackdown against Islamic militants, partly to counter criticism that the country had not done enough in the "war on terror".

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers behind the attacks in the US in September 2001 were Saudi citizens. Riyadh has been urged by many in the US to do more to counter terrorists.

A Saudi official said yesterday: "Saudi security forces are working hard to foil any terrorist organisation and have uncovered several cells in past weeks and thwarted all their plans to destabilise security."

Prince Turki said last week that two-thirds of the 600 people arrested on suspicion of having links to al-Qa'ida were still in custody.

US intelligence claims Osama bin Laden's son, Sa'ad, said to be in Iran, was involved in planning the attacks on Riyadh's Western compounds.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alqaida; attack; poised; ramadan; saudiarabia; us; warns
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1 posted on 10/25/2003 3:25:22 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam
Since Ramadan is an inherently risky time, we must beef up security anyway. If they have to say an attack is imminent for political cover, so be it.
2 posted on 10/25/2003 3:30:20 PM PDT by At _War_With_Liberals
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: tubavil
No muslims, no terror.

Right on! We'll just make war on 1.2 billion people across a full quarter of the planet's surface! Wipe dem goddamn' bassards all out!

4 posted on 10/25/2003 3:43:32 PM PDT by Zeroisanumber
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To: At _War_With_Liberals
On the news on KFI radio today in LA, they said that mosques and Islamic businesses would be guarded against hate crimes during Ramadan. No mention of guarding against any "hate crimes" the terrorists would do to us!!
5 posted on 10/25/2003 3:46:50 PM PDT by Moonmad27
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To: Moonmad27
That sounds about typical, protect those that want to kill us, or at the very least help those who want to kill us.

6 posted on 10/25/2003 4:09:11 PM PDT by Gringo1 (Some days you are the pidgeon....and other days the statue.)
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To: Moonmad27
Boykin will be forced to quit as a gift for Ramadan.
7 posted on 10/25/2003 4:44:24 PM PDT by At _War_With_Liberals
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To: Howlin; Ed_NYC; MonroeDNA; widgysoft; Springman; Timesink; dubyaismypresident; Grani; coug97; ...
I'll see you an attack and raise you a color code level....

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

8 posted on 10/25/2003 4:47:57 PM PDT by mhking
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To: mhking
This means Barney has a bullet in both pockets???
9 posted on 10/25/2003 4:55:24 PM PDT by Eaker (Amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic.............hmmmmmmmmm ;<)
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To: At _War_With_Liberals
Look at the situation this way - If Saudi Arabia is the target, that means just that much less time, effort and capital will be spent on any attack on the US. Tough if a large number of Saudis are taken out by a sneak attack by al-Qaeda, but there may be a major attitude adjustment occur in that region. Long overdue.
10 posted on 10/25/2003 5:08:46 PM PDT by alloysteel
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To: alloysteel
I agree with you. When they start feeling the heat they will get serious about it. Kind of like when gang members shoot other gang members. Sure, we have a few low lifes off the streets but how much killing does it take to get the homeowners involved in getting rid of all of the gangs?
11 posted on 10/25/2003 5:38:57 PM PDT by Normal4me
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To: Zeroisanumber
We'll just make war on 1.2 billion people

War was declared, but not by us.

12 posted on 10/25/2003 5:46:06 PM PDT by tubavil
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To: tubavil
No muslims, no terror.

Like Osama needs more help in framing the war on terrorism as crusade against all Muslims.

13 posted on 10/25/2003 6:01:07 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: alloysteel
Tough if a large number of Saudis are taken out by a sneak attack by al-Qaeda, but there may be a major attitude adjustment occur in that region. Long overdue.

Good point. If Al-Qaeda attacks in SA and kills Saudi nationals, they will be killing their own.

14 posted on 10/25/2003 6:04:50 PM PDT by cardinal4 (Hillary and Clark rhymes with Ft Marcy park...)
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To: Jorge
The muslim terrorists are not concerned with "framing" the war as anything. It is what it is, it is exactly what they say it is - Jihad (holy war). As devout, observant muslims they are just following the Quran. Nothing more, nothing less.
15 posted on 10/25/2003 6:35:34 PM PDT by tubavil
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To: tubavil
The muslim terrorists are not concerned with "framing" the war as anything.

You obviously haven't been paying attention.

There have been repeated statements by Osama and terrorist leaders that attempt to define President Bush's war on terror as a general war on Islam.

They want to stir up the entire Muslim world against the west.

So far it hasn't worked.

16 posted on 10/25/2003 7:32:45 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: tubavil
It is what it is, it is exactly what they say it is - Jihad (holy war). As devout, observant muslims they are just following the Quran. Nothing more, nothing less.

Nonsense.
Most devout, observant Muslims have rejected the idea that terrorism is "just following the Quran".

Just as most Christian have rejected the idea that shooting abortion Doctors is a valid Christian pro-life activity.

17 posted on 10/25/2003 7:37:37 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: Jorge
st devout, observant Muslims have rejected the idea that terrorism is "just following the Quran".

BS Jorge! Killing non-muslims is a major tenent of islam.

18 posted on 10/25/2003 7:49:21 PM PDT by Lady Heron
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To: Lady Heron
BS Jorge! Killing non-muslims is a major tenent of islam.

Funny, most Muslims disagree with you and reject the sort insanity the Osamas preach.

Perhaps you could help convince them that killing us is what their religion demands.
That would really benefit the world.

19 posted on 10/25/2003 7:53:12 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: Jorge
Funny, most Muslims disagree with you and reject the sort insanity the Osamas preach.

Total B.S.

There are 1.3 BILLION muslims. List 13 (one ONE-HUNDRED MILLIONTH) of them that actively oppose terrorism.

What US based muslim groups fight muslim terror? What have they done? What division of islam do they follow? Who are their religious leaders? How many muslims do they speak for?

20 posted on 10/25/2003 8:27:45 PM PDT by tubavil
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