Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread 5

CNN ^ | March 12, 2004

[thecabal]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- This week's deadly train bombings in Spain will not lead to a rise in the U.S. color-coded terror threat alert system, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said Friday.

"Based on the current intelligence, we have no specific indicators that terrorist groups are considering such an attack in the U.S. in the near term," said department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.

[jerseygirl]

I was guessing it was an electrical fire of some kind, but my son pointed out that the smoke was billowing out and settling, not rising. Would smoke from an electrical fire settle?
The people inspecting the train weren't wearing any kind of protective gear or anything.

[jerseygirl]

I'm back in the country!Whew. Got a nice view of TMI driving back!

[jerseygirl]

Thankyou so much, for the kind words.

I wish I could shake the feeling I have that we are soon going to see some serious trouble in our homeland.

[Myrddin]

When I see a gas behaving as "heavier than air", I'm immediately suspicious of a toxic gas. Smoke from a fire tends to be hot and rises.

[Cindy]

I feel terrible about this.
Is it better to know or better not to know?

Have a good trip.
I like sawmills.
I remeber catching rainbow trout near an
old sawmill with my Grandpa. Fun.

[jerseygirl]

No security problems in Taiwan? I guess not, since they will soon be returning to the "Motherland". (Even France agreed).

[Rushmore Rocks]

I really do prefer knowing. I read in one of their local papers (either Iguazu or Curitiba, really can't remember)a couple of weeks ago about the arrest of 40 Al Quaeda members in a large anti-terrorism sweep the government made.

Apparently, they missed some.

[jerseygirl]

That's exactly what my son said. Still, if it were a toxic gas, would the inspectors be walking through the train and looking under it without gear?

Another thought (not knowing anything about trains)- apparently this train runs on diesel until you reach Philly, there, they switch to an electric engine.

Could the diesel have been on fire maybe? The gentleman in the ticket booth said "mechanical problems".

[Rushmore Rocks]

Quaeda=Qaeda

Have trouble not putting a "u" after a "q".

[Cindy]

You're welcome Ruth, but it's all of us working hard here....

Yep, South America is a MUST WATCH place.

[Cindy]

ONLY IN AMERICA....

TOWNHALL.com: "WHO'S BEEN HANGING WITH MR. HOOPER?" -Column by Joel Mowbray (March 19, 2004) (Read More...)

TECH CENTRAL STATION: "RIDE ON THE 'PEACE' TRAIN" by Michael P. Tremoglie (March 18, 2004) (Read More...)

[nw_arizona_granny]

Piper, thought that I would share a bit of info that came to
me a few minutes ago.

Last week in Laughlin, NV about 75 hotel maids were taken/arrested by the Immigration Service and sent back to
Mexico.

Some of them have worked in the casinos for years.

Deported to Mexico.

So there is "things happening" that we don't read about.

Info from a casino worker, who is well known.

[mfccinsd]

As a follow up, these below articles come from the local English paper in Bahrain, which is widely read.

Bahrain is a very calm place typically, and stuff like this doesn't happen very often. I went hunting for the original article, as well as this follow up one, just in case anyone else was interested.

The whole thing also strikes me as really bizarre b/c there is alcohol quite easily had there in MANY places, and nearly every hotel, so it makes me wonder if these few places were targets for other reasons. Weekends (esp. Wed. nights, which is like our Friday night here) are nuts with people coming over from Saudi, etc. basically to drink...it's always a night to stay off the roads...

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=77002&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=26365

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/arc_Articles.asp?Article=76890&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=26364

Police free 5 suspects in raid probe http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=77087&Sn=BNEW



MANAMA: Five men arrested during an attack on La Terrasse French restaurant in Al Buharma on Wednesday night have been released, said Interior Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Daij bin Khalifa Al Khalifa last night.

"The prosecutor-general released five young men detained by police during the attack" he told AFP.

No other people have been detained in connection with the assault, "but investigations are continuing and if we obtain information pertaining to the incident we will disclose it," he said.

One of the owners of La Terrasse restaurant Khalid Abderrahman estimated the damage from the attack at BD10,000.

He told AFP that officials had yet to contact him or inspect the premises following the attack.

Parliament Chairman Khalifa Al Dhahrani yesterday condemned the attacks on public property and businesses at Tashan, Al Buharma and Al Salhiya on Wednesday night.

Parliament Islamic Coalition spokesman MP Mohammed Al Shaikh also strongly condemned the acts of violence and sabotage, dismissing them as "illegal" and "irresponsible".

[Cindy]

THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman



This information is current as of today, Fri Mar 19 2004 15:03:31 GMT-0800.


WORLDWIDE CAUTION


March 19, 2004


This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated January 9, 2004 . It is being issued to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of terrorist attacks. This Worldwide Caution expires on September 19, 2004 .


The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. We are seeing indications that Al-Qaida continues to prepare to strike U.S. interests abroad.


Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have most recently struck in the Middle East and in Europe but other geographic locations could also be venues for attacks. Future Al-Qaida attacks could possibly involve non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents as well as conventional weapons of terror. We also cannot rule out that Al-Qaida will attempt a catastrophic attack within the U.S.


Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may involve aviation and other transportation and maritime interests, and may also include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels and public areas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.


U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate .


As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2 328.


Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

 

[null and void]

It's not a major power plant.

[Cindy]

THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:

http://travel.state.gov/meu_announce.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Mar 19 2004 15:05:50 GMT-0800.

Middle East and North Africa


March 19, 2004


This Public Announcement is being updated to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing threat of anti-American violence, including possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East , including the Red Sea , Persian Gulf , the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa . This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on November 6, 2003 , and expires September 19, 2004 .


The Department of State reminds U.S. citizens traveling to the Middle East and North Africa that there remains a potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests in the region posed by those harboring anti-American sentiments, including the risk of attacks by terrorist groups. The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.


C redible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East . Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings. These attacks may involve aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate.


On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private U.S. citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to U.S. citizens in countries abroad may be affected if employees’ movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. In case office hours are reduced, U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.


In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.



Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page


 

[jerseygirl]

Just saw this posted over at TB 2000 - wondered if our freeper sleuths could find more info., possibly verify. It could be a tie in with the diver threat.

Also, reportedly the AQ's fatwa (number 3 million 45?) indicated to strike the US simultaneously with Europe rather than sequentially. (Attributed to OBL, reportedly)

Quote:

There have been 2 separate instances in Washington State where the Coast Guard has come up on boats with engine running, anchored and no one on board...

One yesterday and one today....and they haven't found the bodies of either boater.....
Just thought that was a bit odd.......

[null and void]

My son said we needed to get out of there quickly.

Good idea.

War gasses settle, the better to kill and injure people in foxholes...

Any smells? Sharp=chlorine. Garlic=mustard gas. Fresh cut grass=one of the nerve agents (can't recall which one).

[oceanview]

maybe you should drive. stay out of NYC tomorrow, the anti-war march/protest is taking place.

[knak]

I've got the strange feeling too. Kinda like thinking the terror alert will go up again.