France warning tipped off terrorists, say U.S. officials

Washington Times ^ | 12/17/03 | From combined dispatches

[SandRat]

Leave it to the to screw it up! Sheesh!

[Imal]

AQ has threatened major attacks. It is possible that the Vatican may be a target of this wave, but I still feel very much adrift in a sea of speculation and uncertainty.

As President Bush has repeatedly said, this is a different kind of war. As with all things classified, the names of the most important battles and heroes of this war will probably never be known.

But they, and the heroes we do know of, will always have my undying gratitude and respect.

[MizSterious]

"France has made it abundantly clear since late last year that they are not our ally any longer."

I think it's time to move them from "Axis of Weasels" status to full-fledged "Axis of Evil"--or possibly it's overdue.

[serurier]

I agree you,I from we news know about France support Saddam.

[COBOL2Java]

Announce that, effective immediately, flights bound for the US out of France are permitted to only land at Thule Air Base in Greenland. Once there, passengers will be thoroughly screened and the plane fully searched. Suspects detained can then be put on a direct flight to Gitmo.

[MizSterious]

I've been reading articles about how the terrorists are recruiting a lot of non-Arabs, including U.S. citizens. We've caught some (Padilla for instance) but I'm sure there are more. No doubt they would like to send murderers that look more like us--they'd blend in better.

[Erik Latranyi]

DanDan:

I think the real truth is that the French did not want AQ operatives caught in France. The French gov't is already hurting due to American boycott of French products, tourism, etc.

Also, imagine this country's outrage if it was an Air France jet originating in France that was used in a terrorist attack?

There would be calls for further boycotts, war, nukes, etc.

The French, by leaking the fact that the flights were cancelled for security reasons, saved some face.

[Pharmboy]

"Stop right now or I will taunt you again."

[Criminal Number 18F]

A couple of points here.

1. While their original intent may have been to run an operation, no doubt they took advantage of this to profile our response, and they'll be examining same for weaknesses.

2. The French are now compromised by Islamists within the administrative organs of the government, but it's worth noting that in the 1970s and 1980s when American and other European interests were attacked in worldwide terrorist offensives, France was largely unscathed.

   The French determined early that negotiation was the better part of valour and cut this deal with Khadaffy (acting as spokesman for the terrorists), a deal that was later extended to Italy: known terrorists had free passage through and domicile in France, as long as they did not attack French persons or French interests. Under this compact Paris and Marseille became safe havens for wanted terrorists, who were observed by police and the SDECE but never molested in their planning and logistical operations.

You certainly have to wonder if this "early warning" to the Al-Qaida cells is a French attempt to extend the terms of its old partners-in-terrorism deal.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[11th Earl of Mar]

Leave it to the frucking Fench!

[MizSterious]

"I am amazed by the amount of stupidities one can find in a post a soon as the word 'FRANCE' is in the title."

I'm rather amazed at the amount of stupidities in your own post. Did you actually read the article? Considering the facts, as you suggest, can lead to only one conclusion: the French belong on our "axis of evil" list. Pronto.

"Do you think the french are that stupid as to release potential terrorists?"

No, I do not think they're "that stupid." I think it was quite deliberate, and that they are providing aid and comfort to our enemies. I believe they would rejoice if we were attacked again as we were on 9/11. They truly hate this country in general, and President Bush in particular.

[AmericanVictory]

It is very reminiscent of Clouseau arresting the organ grinder while assisting the bank robber.

[MizSterious]

"If you really believe that France (and what is France? the government? the people?) would be ready to allow and close their eyes on a plane taking off from Paris to commit a terrorist act, then I don't know who is naive."

Yeah, right, and they'd never cozy up to the Nazis and close their eyes to what they were doing, either, would they....

(sheesh)

[Criminal Number 18F]

Translation: (by hand into slightly more idiomatic English; machine translations are weak): Since Tuesday, two-to-six-member teams from the National Police's Intervention Group (GIGN), operating in plain clothes, regularly board particular flights from France to the United States. They are an addition to Air France's own security elements.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[CWOJackson]

What, France knowingly aid terrorist?

They'd no sooner do that then they would send commandos to blow up a peaceful, unarmed protest ship and kill some of it's crew. Oh...I forgot, they did that.

[hershey]

Fox just had on Frank Gaffney, terrorist expert, who said, we have a sizable fifth column in this country, Islamicists, clerics who preach hate from the pulpit at followers prepared to do whatever it takes to bring about Jihad. Hopefully the FBI is keeping an eye on these terrorist whackos. Gaffney thinks we're living on 'borrowed time' before more horrible attacks occur which would make 9/11 pale in comparison. If that happens, we can't wait months tracking every phone call and email while the economy collapses. We have to strike first.

[M Kehoe]

But do you really think that french intelligence would be ready to help AQ?

No, and I'm hoping that what made the news is either redacted or disinformation to keep al Qeada off balance.

Having said that, F#*@ the French.

5.56mm

[hershey]

Damn right. Problem for the French is that feeding the tiger tends to be dangerous. Sooner or later, he eats you.

[LS]

They have gone beyond "not being an ally" and are very close to bordering on "enemy" status. And I don't throw that out lightly.

[arete]

The Dept. of Homeland Security is a joke and now engages in bad theatre and fear mongering to justify its existence. The orange alert game playing is getting old. So when Ridge looks like an idiot, he blames it on France. See, big government is good. We are protecting you from the evil-doers . . . and if it weren't for those darn French. This stuff is so lame.

Richard W.