Official: Al-Qaeda plans something big

USA Today ^ | Nov. 27, 2003 | Kevin Johnson

[FairOpinion]

WASHINGTON

[FairOpinion]

There have been similar stories around recently, but USAToday is running it as "Top News", posted to their website at 10:37 pm EST today, less than half hour ago --that's why I am posting it in FrontPage News.

Maybe there is more info, they just can't say?

"It's clear that al-Qaeda wants to strike here" and that it continues to seek opportunities for "a catastrophic attack," said the official, who asked not to be identified.

But intelligence reports suggest that some of the network's operatives think that an attack using chemical or biological weapons could be a way to top the 9/11 attacks, the official said.

It's unclear whether the group has access to chemical or biological weapons. But those weapons represent a more likely concern than nuclear arms, U.S. analysts say.

The latest intelligence on al-Qaeda's possible intentions comes at a time of heightened tension about terrorism here and around the world."

[demnomo]

What ever happened to the "big one" that was supposed to hit the US a few days ago? Ramalamadingdong is now over...

[Cicero]

Who knows? Anonymous attribution? Aren't these stories about potential threats usually sourced?

[technomage]

What ever happened to the "big one" that was supposed to hit the US a few days ago? Ramalamadingdong is now over...

Could be our security forces thwarted an attack.

Could be they were just full of hot air.

All I know is that as long as the Canadian and Mexican borders are wide open, I fear for another attack or attacks.

[_Jim]

Everything's okay - USAToday just wants to sell more newsprint ...

[oceanview]

sounds like a compilation of alot of the stories seen on FR over the past week, with a little "fear factor" thrown in.

[Fred Mertz]

I'm getting tired of these chicken little stories.

Okay, nobody go to the shopping mall tomorrow or this weekend. That will fix them.

[FairOpinion]

"Aren't these stories about potential threats usually sourced?"

==

Not necessarily.

My personal opinion is that AQ certainly has the intention of doing as much harm and damage to us, they can. They may even have the capability, since actually, it doesn't take much. I think that the fact that so far we haven't had any additional attacks in the US is testimony to the effectiveness of the intel agencies and law enforcement, who are foiling attacks and catching terrorists. I think a lot of attacks are being foiled, but people aren't being told, so as not to panic people, because that would be as bad, as an actual attack, almost, in bringing our reviving economy to a screeching halt.

It is quite possible that there is more chatter, which may be indicating that they are preparing for a big attack. I don't think Ramadan being over means they won't attack us, if they can. I just hope they can't.

It seems that with the arrest of an AQ terrorist in the UK, they may have foiled a major attack.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1030121/posts

"AN AL-QAEDA plot to target GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters)was last night suggested as the possible trigger for the arrest of a suspected terror agent in Gloucester. "

[nutmeg]

bump

[beckett]

They want to damage Bush's re-election chances. That is their number on priority, since, as we all know, electing a Democrat to the presidency makes the world safe for al-Qaeda.

They are faced with the dilemma of whether a big attack (assuming they have the capacity to carry one out, a dubious assumption at best) hurts him or helps him. Since I don't the answer to that question myself, it would be presumptuous of me to speculate about how al-Qaeda decision makers are answering it.

[mhking]

This is sounding more like the DEBKA-Chicken Little story...

[ServesURight]

USELESS Today

[MattAMiller]

If we've only learned one thing about Al Qaeda it's that they like to talk. And whatever they do we'll just keep on keep'n on like the last time.

[thoughtomator]

It was supposed to happen during Ramadan, which is over. AQ is just blustering for lack of any actual strike capability.

[exit82]

Another 9/11 on American soil should result in two things:

1. The Kaaba goes ka-boom.

2. Saudi Arabia becomes the 51st state by sundown.

[ChemistCat]

One thing I'm learning.

There are so many potential disasters always waiting on the other side of the corner. You can't see 'em no matter what. You can stand there paralyzed with fear and never get anywhere, or you can shrug, prepare as best you can for the most likely scenarios, and go about your business. Sooner or later something bad is going to happen again. The worst thing that can happen is to let the fear rule you.

[Lion in Winter]

All our troops in the Balkans are on alert!! Threats have been made against them.

Let us not forget that the muslims in the Balkans got major support in their civil war against Yugoslavia from bin laden. So, they OWE bin laden's guys.

He may be calling in the "favor" so to speak.

[pepsionice]

It is a end-less list of things that Al Qaeda can do on the scale of 9-11 (sink 3 or 4 large passenger cruise boats in the Caribbean, poison the city water supply of Dallas, kidnap 5 or 6 senators)...and thats the problem. You can't forecast anything...you can't be completely safe...you can't believe that every safety measure possible is in place. Its time to kill off their money supply...drop Saudi oil and buy from the Russians. If these jokers had real jobs and had to work for a living...then they wouldn't have time to play terrorism as a game. Lets put the whole nation of Saudi Arabia to work.

[Dajjal]

jihad bump

[Indie]

drop Saudi oil and buy from the Russians..

Better yet produce more of our own..but it's not that simple, according to a big oilman I've spoken with. I think it had to do something about a net loss to drill here in the US?? ~sigh~