Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Seven

The Washington Times ^ | 4-26-04 | Bill Gertz

[JustPiper]

"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat"

Two Chinese diplomats, away from their Los Angeles consulate improperly, recently sped their vehicle past a Los Alamos National Laboratory guard post near classified facilities in what U.S. officials think was an intelligence mission, The Washington Times has learned.

[freeperfromnj]

Shots Fired At Train Locomotive In N.J.

POSTED: 11:26 pm EDT May 3, 2004

NEW YORK -- Bullets pierced the locomotive of a freight train in Newark, N.J., Monday night, NewsChannel 4 reported.

Investigators said it was a CSX train headed to the Albany area.

Authorities said no one was injured.

Two shots struck the train, blowing out a window and mirror.

Train operators said the shots were fired from the direction of the New Jersey Turnpike.

http://www.wnbc.com/news/3265912/detail.html

[freeperfromnj]

Target practice for a future operation?

[nw_arizona_granny]

Would it be easy to get the devices off the track, during the accident and leave with them?

Thinking about all the unknown causes.

[tmp02]

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040504-121635-1825r.htm

L.A.-Dulles flight seen as terror target



Federal officials have pinpointed an airline flight from Los Angeles to Washington as a potential terrorist target in the past two weeks and have begun scrutinizing the flight crew's luggage and using security agents to follow pilots preparing for the flight.
Bomb-sniffing dogs are also being stationed in the gate area as passengers of United Airlines Flight 200 from Los Angeles International Airport to Dulles International Airport undergo more intense security checks.


[Click Here]

The flight, which departs Los Angeles at 6:55 p.m. Eastern (3:55 local time) and arrives in Dulles at 11:46 p.m. Eastern, has been "sanitized" before takeoff, said one flight crew member who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"They absolutely tear everything apart inside the flight bag, every piece of professional literature, flight manuals, head sets, they empty the overnight bag. It's being scrutinized at a level I have never seen in over 25 years of flying," the crew member said.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has designated it as a "flight of interest," according to a memo from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) obtained by The Washington Times.
Pilots and flight attendants "are receiving a thorough second security screening by the TSA, which includes flight bags and all personal belongings. In addition, the pilot conducting the preflight is being shadowed," the memo said.
"Shadowed," refers to a policy of preventing pilots from entering the aircraft for preflight inspections until a security escort arrives to follow their movements, said the crew member. A TSA official then observes the pilots from the terminal window.
Neither pilots nor air marshals are receiving an explanation for the intense searches, and neither is the airline nor the pilot unions, according to the memo and the crew member.
The TSA and United Airlines did not return calls seeking comment.
Capt. David Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance, said the TSA is wasting valuable resources by searching flight attendants and pilots.
"Every single crew member assigned to a flight has their identification verified before boarding," Mr. Mackett said. "It should also be obvious a weapon is superfluous to a pilot getting control of an airplane, since he is given control as his primary job."
"What is especially disconcerting is that the TSA refuses to even tell the captain of the flight what the threat is, and the captain is charged by law with ensuring the flight's safety," Mr. Mackett said.
International flight crews underwent similar security measures during the Christmas and New Year holidays and again in February, as TSA worked to prevent a repeat of the September 11 attacks, in which terrorists hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
This is the first time that such security measures, including having pilots empty their pockets and scanning them with hand-held metal detectors, have been employed on domestic flights in the United States.
All four of the planes hijacked on September 11 were cross-country domestic flights, three of which were headed for Los Angeles International Airport, including American Airlines Flight 77 which originated at Dulles and was used to attack the Pentagon.
"The worst part about it is we are not being given information, and we can't make decisions to protect the aircraft," said the flight crew member.
The ALPA memo urged pilots, who also have been asked by federal officials to file reports with the union on screening methods and "unusual events during the flight," to maintain a professional demeanor and comply with all reasonable requests.

[freeperfromnj]

Wonder how they were targeting it? Missile, bomb on board or hijack?

[freeperfromnj]

Germany on Alert at Air Bases After Attack Warning

May 4 — BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has raised its security alert status at two air force bases after receiving indications of possible attacks, a defense ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

The alert status at the fighter-bomber squadron at Buechel and the air training center at Rheine, both near Germany's western border, had risen to "Charlie," the second highest of four security levels in the German armed forces.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20040504_113.html

[angcat]

Unfortunately the Westchester County Tax Payers are footing the bill for that house. But they do adore her there. Especially the women. My hometown of Yonkers is always giving the evil one (crusty) awards. I am so glad I do not live there anymore!

[StillProud2BeFree]

A group of alleged Islamic terrorists arrested in Turkey on suspicion of planning an attack on a NATO meeting were trained in Pakistan and were planning to carry out a suicide mission against US President George W. Bush, Turkish press reports said Tuesday.

The suspects, who had been tracked by Turkish authorities for months before their arrest, were in possession of Turkish-subtitled video cassettes attributed to Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden calling for a jihad, or holy war, against the "great Satan" of America, according to the reports.

They were allegedly planning to bomb the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit scheduled for June 28 and 29 in Istanbul -- the scene of four bloody suicide bombings five months ago -- where Bush and other world leaders will attend, according to police sources quoted by the papers.

More at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1129255/posts

I'd say that those assassination articles in Al Battar issues 8 and 9 are not random coincidence.

[bored at work]

Burrow: SNOWBALL This is BURROW (could be Burro as in donkey). You are not secure…repeat not secure…go green…go green…

Yikes!!!

[Rutles4Ever]

Just an FYI...

Total Eclipse to Paint Moon Red

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3681773.stm

[StillProud2BeFree]

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0452C9F5-61F7-414B-849B-5FB5E46CE573

What's with all the train problems in TX in the last day or two?

Train Derails On South Side
LAST UPDATE: 5/4/2004 6:33:26 AM
Posted By: Angela Becerra


(SAN ANTONIO) -- Three people were injured and more than 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled into the San Antonio River today when two Union Pacific freight trains collided on a bridge just south of downtown San Antonio.

Two locomotives and five cars of a southbound freight train hauling commodities including detergent and beer tumbled off the bridge and into the river, while another seven cars derailed onto nearby streets, according to San Antonio police.

Two engineers leapt from the engines as the trains began to topple off the 70 year old concrete Union Pacific bridge, according to San Antonio police sergeant Gabe Trevino. He says a third person, described as a vagrant who was sleeping under the bridge at the time, was also hospitalized. All are suffering from non life threatening injuries, according to hospital officials.

One locomotive struck the side of the other train and derailed.

"The engineers said they could feel the vibration coming towards them, they knew what was about to happen, so they jumped out of the train," Trevino told 1200 WOAI news.

The locomotives discharged thousands of gallons of Diesel fuel into the river, leaving a plume of potentially hazardous chemicals stretching downstream for more than a mile.

"We usually don't have the locomotives fall into the river, they're usually on dry land, so that is presenting a problem for us," said San Antonio Fire Lieutenant Robert Aguilar, who is in charge of the department's hazardous materials crew.

Dozens of firefighters, as well as officers of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, erected dikes and lowered booms into the river in hopes of stopping the spill from reaching environmentally sensitive areas southeast of San Antonio. The river eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

"Right now we have a series of flotation devices across the San Antonio River in four to five different locations," District Fire Chief Randy Jenkins said. "We have also lowered the river by closing several of the floodgates. We hope that these flotation devices capture the Diesel fuel which is lighter than water and is floating on the surface."

The derailment also caused major traffic tie-ups southeast of downtown, and Jenkins said some streets in the area, including two major thoroughfares, are expected to remain closed at least for 24 hours.

The incident happened less than a block from San Antonio Breckenridge High Schools, but school officials and firefighters quickly determined that the trains were not carrying hazardous materials and classes continued as usual today.

Officials say the southbound train 'switched' onto a track where the northbound train was already traveling. So far, no word on what caused the mishap to occur.

[all4one]

Pakistan Airports on Alert after Hijacking Threat

04 May 2004 14:17:49 GMT

ISLAMABAD, May 4 (Reuters) - Pakistan has put its airports on high alert after receiving information of a possible attempt to stage a hijack by an unspecified "terrorist" group, an Airport Security Force statement said on Tuesday.

Entry to airports across the country would be restricted during the red alert, the statement said.

"Based on credible information of a possible hijacking by a terrorist group, a red alert has been declared at all airports in order to thwart any such attempt," it said. A spokesman at the Civil Aviation Authority said it had received instructions from the defence ministry to go to red alert at all airports from Monday.

The instructions gave no reason, he said, for the heightened state of alert, which is relatively frequent in Pakistan. The Airport Security Force statement said entry passes to airports had been temporarily suspended. Pakistan, a key ally in the U.S. war on terror, has seen a spate of deadly attacks by suspected Islamic militants. Link Here

[WestCoastGal]

Ping to 2084

These VERY unusual searches of pilots and crew ("sanitizing the plane") may have something to do with all the uniforms stolen over the past year and many stolen VERY recently. Feds watching this flight for the past few weeks.

Keep an eye on flight UA200 LA to Dulles. Departure 6:55pm ETA 11:46pm

[Domestic Church]

"Was it an EMP?"

I dunno.

[WestCoastGal]

More on the uniform/id stealing scenario. Seems to be something to this considering flight 200 and this.

Initiative aims to prevent terrorists from posing as airline employees
Pilot program to be tested in 8 cities in coming weeks


Also (((Security experiment in place at Md. rail station
Passengers at New Carrollton stop must clear explosives detection machine, have bags screened as part of 30-day pilot program)))


The Associated Press
Originally published May 4, 2004, 11:00 AM EDT
WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Security Administration announced new measures to deter terrorists who seek to infiltrate airport security areas by stealing uniforms or identification from airline employees.

The pilot program, to be tested at eight airports in the coming weeks, will use video surveillance and other technology to identify airline employees by fingerprints or eye-scan matches on a special biometrical ID card.

"This pilot program will test new technologies designed to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to non-passenger controlled areas," said David Stone, TSA's acting administrator. "TSA believes that this cutting edge technology will enhance the security of the aviation system and keep us one step ahead of those who seek to harm us."

Airports participating in the program are in Miami; Newark, N.J.; Boise, Idaho; Minneapolis-St. Paul; Savannah, Ga.; Fort Myers, Fla.; Providence, R.I.; and Tampa, Fla.

Different airports will use different technology. For instance, Miami International Airport will test video analysis to differentiate between authorized and unauthorized personnel entering security areas, while Newark will incorporate fingerprint technology. T.F. Green State Airport in Providence will use eye-scan matches to control access

More>>>>

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/custom/attack/bal-airports0504,0,7352897.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines

[all4one]

Tanker Leaks Caustic Vapor in Yuba City (CA)

By Dave Nielsen/Appeal-Democrat

A tanker truck leaking a toxic chemical Monday on Colusa Avenue in Yuba City sent the driver of a car behind it to the hospital.

Michael Hardesty, 57, of Marysville, was following the truck near Colusa and Gray avenues about 9:30 a.m. when he inhaled ammonium hydroxide, an agricultural chemical that vaporizes on contact with air, Yuba City police Lt. Tom Tappe said.

Hardesty complained of breathing problems and was taken to Rideout Memorial Hospital, Yuba City Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Julian said.

The crew of a Bi-County Ambulance traveling behind the truck noticed the odor and called the truck's owner, Simplot Grower Solutions of Colusa, which called the truck driver.

The truck pulled over and parked behind a Chevron gas station at the southeast corner of Colusa and Clark avenues. Police closed Clark Avenue south of Colusa Avenue as well as the station and a liquor store next door. The Teriyaki House at 716 Colusa Ave. also was closed because of chemical fumes, according to a sign on the restaurant.

Ammonium hydroxide can burn the lungs if inhaled and can also burn the skin, Julian said. The truck, which was on its way to Wheatland, was carrying 3,000 gallons of the chemical, which leaked from a valve on top of the tank, said Yuba City police Lt. Bill Ollar said.

A preliminary investigation indicated the truck had been overloaded and the contents expanded under heat, blowing valve gaskets and allowing the chemical to escape, Ollar said. Simplot Grower Solutions sent another truck to relieve pressure on the valve by pumping part of the chemical from the tanker, Ollar said.

The vapor should not cause health problems in limited concentrations, he said. Link Here

[all4one]

Waterford Township Homes Evacuated After Hazmat Scare (Detroit, Michigan)

Nuclear Material In Ground Struck

POSTED: 10:44 am EDT May 4, 2004 A hazmat situation in Waterford Township has residents on alert. Waterford Township police told Local 4 that four to five houses were evacuated after a soil-testing rod containing some type of nuclear material was hit underground.

The rod was bent and workers are trying to get the it out of the ground.

The incident happened on Crescent Lacke Road wouth of M-59. Police and hazmat crews are on the scene.

Police say after the material is hauled away, residents will be allowed back in their homes. Link Here

[Domestic Church]

Severnaya means something akin to north or northern, it is a river in northern Russia...months ago it was referenced as an operation in some of the jihadi translations. There are many applicable incidents ranging from the nuclear components stolen from the Russian nuclear lighthouses to stolen Russian navy stuff to a big Russian Tesla toy spewing vapors and registering on various scales somewhere up near the Kola Penninsula.

[WestCoastGal]

Here's an update on what I posted from the noon news here yesterday re: truck leaking liquid fertilizer.....BTW, so much for safety Mr Aguilar!! He only cared about getting to Fresno, leak or no leak!! And I wonder why it took 3 1/2 hours to start cleanup? Did he not report it? I can't imagine it was the FD. (not threat related but stupidity related)

Fire crews called out to contain fertilizer leak


By Ben Spillman
The Desert Sun
May 4th, 2004

---

A trailer leaking fertilizer at a truck stop near Interstate 10 prompted authorities to call out a hazardous materials team.

The daylong effort to isolate and clean the spill caused a stir at the Flying J truck stop in Thousand Palms and upset the driver who worried he wouldn’t get the fertilizer to its destination on time.

Driver Carlos Aguilar, who was hauling the fertilizer from Texas to Fresno, said he thought the commotion was a bit much for a spill that consisted of about 20 gallons of fertilizer.

"They already killed all my time," said Aguilar who’d hoped to deliver the fertilizer by 8 a.m. today. "If everything goes right I might be able to get out of here by midnight."

Authorities believe Aguilar first noticed the spill as early as 8 a.m. Monday morning, but firefighters weren’t called until around 11:30 a.m., said Jerry Hendershot, a battalion chief with the Riverside County Fire Department/California Department of Forestry.

Hendershot said the truck contained about 40,000 pounds of liquid fertilizer that, if allowed to dry, could become flammable.

Authorities cordoned off the truck in the truck stop parking lot while California Highway Patrol officers stood by in case of a fire.

Hendershot said the truck contained about 20,000 pounds each of two fertilizer-related chemicals.

Some of the containers were apparently leaking onto the ground.


http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/local/20040504013333.shtml

[Domestic Church]

Any chance this snowball/burro transmission was "ours"?