New FBI warning cites biochem threat

world net daily ^ | 12/25/03

[knak]

Feds advise security to be on alert for 'unusual powders, liquids, odors'

Posted: December 25, 2003
1:25 p.m. Eastern

By Paul Sperry
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

WASHINGTON – The FBI is warning law enforcement in a new security advisory to be alert for signs of a biological or chemical attack against the homeland by al-Qaida terrorists over the next few weeks.

Unexplained or unusual odors, such as the smell of "bitter almonds," are among "potential indicators of threats involving" weapons of mass destruction, according to the advisory issued earlier this week by the FBI counterterrorism division.

WorldNetDaily obtained a copy of the report labeled "law enforcement sensitive."

An earlier homeland security report, dated Nov. 21, said the terrorists have designed a "crude chemical dispersal device" fabricated from commonly available materials, which is designed to asphyxiate its victims, as WorldNetDaily first reported. The device can produce both cyanogen chloride gas and hydrogen cyanide gas, which gives off a bitter almond smell.

"These gases are most effective when released in confined spaces such as subways, buildings or other crowded indoor facilities," the closely held report said, adding that al-Qaida has shown a continued interest in targeting subways.

"Al-Qaida remains intent on using chemical or biological agents in attacks on the homeland," it said.

The new advisory, coming alongside an increase in the terror-threat alert to high, reiterates the concern over such weapons.

"The acquisition, production or theft of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials and subsequent dissemination is a top al-Qaida objective," the FBI warned this week.

To guard against such attacks, the agency is advising law enforcement and security personnel to be on the lookout for suspicious packages or containers, as well as "unusual powders or liquids," near air-intake systems or enclosed spaces. Discovery of unusual spray devices or bottles is also a priority.

In addition, it lists several odors which are tell-tale signs of a WMD attack.

"Smells may range from fruity/flowery to sharp/pungent, garlic/horseradish-like, bitter almonds, peach kernels and new-mown grass/hay," according to the FBI advisory.

U.S. intelligence has determined that al-Qaida plans to attack America again within the next few weeks, possibly around the New Year's holiday.

"Reliable sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the United States by early 2004," the FBI said. "Extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will rival the terrorist attack of Sept. 11 in scope and impact."

The feds are also worried about al-Qaida using aircraft again in suicide attacks.

"Intelligence reports show that al-Qaida continues to develop plans to use aircraft as a weapon in suicide attacks, and continues to study countries to determine those that have the least stringent aviation security measures," the FBI report said.

"Operatives still at large view attacks on U.S. territory as a priority," it added.

[GOPJ]

You're right. I hope everyone read all the comments -- until they got to yours. Thanks.

[templar]

. A couple of ICBMs pointed at Mecca and Medina might be a reasonable start...

That ain't gonna happen. It would be an attack against Islam, and Islam is a religion of peace.

[templar]

It's the stamped I would be worried about!

Letter bombs?

[VOA]

Obviously, by the time you smell this stuff, it is too late.

In most cases, yes.
BUT, the Swedish analytical chemist Berzelius did record the bitter almond
flavor of cyanide. He managed to live many years after that.

All I can say is that if I started tasting bitter almonds, I'm holding my
breath, RUNNING, and looking for an exit!

That's the sort of useful trivial I picked up during a summer course on "The History of
Biochemistry"....LOL!

[GOPJ]

Sorry, phrased that wrong. I hope everyone reads your correction. Another reason for the correct information to get out to all...

[VOA]

At the institute of "higher learning" that I work at, one of the Radiation Safety Officers
and I will talk about all the nasty stuff Al-Quida could do in terms of a
bio/chem/radioactive attack.

And we always end up trying to get our minds around one question:
As simple and lethal as some of these modes of attack are...why haven't they been used yet?

Which leads us to think there are two answers:
the intelligent Al-Quida operatives have followed the example of The Talented
Mohemmed Atta...but can't bring themselves to leave the strip joints and
downing double-scotchs...
OR
they are waiting until their most extreme situation becomes clear, then they'll
strike because they have nothing left to lose.

[arasina]

Ping

[Yup!!]

Part of me thinks that the bad guys are running the good guys all over the place to distract them from what is really going on.

I have to agree. It's nuts!!!

[Trailerpark Badass]

"Smells may range from fruity/flowery to sharp/pungent, garlic/horseradish-like, bitter almonds, peach kernels and new-mown grass/hay," according to the FBI advisory.

So the smell of smoked pork still means good things!!

[Nick Danger]

The only thing which comes to my mind as any sort of an answer is that there needs to be some sort of a threat of overwhelming retalliation on the table which would register in the minds of the people involved. A couple of ICBMs pointed at Mecca and Medina might be a reasonable start...

I don't like that one. It just pisses off a bunch of people who can't help us. It seems to me the threat would be better aimed at someone who can help. Take the Saudi Royal Family. I don't think they're doing enough to rein in those Wahhabi goofballs they have over there, and I'm not convinced they are using their good offices around the Arab world to squeeze these terrorists, whom we all suspect are being winked at by the local governments throughout the region as they run their little training camps and plan their next atrocity.

I think we should 'splain them that they are not going to be Royal anymore if anything like 9/11 happens again. We need to give them some incentive to cooperate. They have too much money to be interested in that, but they might respond positively if we put a gun to their heads.