Jordanians Scared By Al-Qaida Terror Plot

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 4-28-2004 | Shafika Mattar

[blam]

Jordanians Scared by al-Qaida Terror Plot

Wednesday April 28, 2004 12:46 AM

By SHAFIKA MATTAR

Associated Press Writer

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Serene Husseini fears for the safety of her children. Sana Naji might leave Jordan over terrorism worries. Scared buyers are staying home rather than venturing into Samia Dabbas' clothing shop.

Such concerns were evident across Amman on Tuesday after state-run TV showed suspected al-Qaida-linked terrorists confessing to planning large-scale bomb attacks in Jordan's capital.

A TV commentator said the attackers hoped to kill 80,000 people and injure 160,000.

The terror suspects said they were plotting al-Qaida's first chemical bomb attack on Jordanian targets, including the intelligence department, the prime minister's office and the U.S. Embassy.

Six suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged plot. Three of them spoke on the television program.

Jordanian TV viewers heard suspect Azmi al-Jayousi confess to planning to first kill guards to allow each driver of an explosives-mounted car to ``park slowly where it wanted, without facing resistance'' before setting off explosions.

A Jordan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the conspirators targeted other sites as well, but declined to elaborate.

The official said that the chemical bomb would have produced a toxic cloud that would have attacked victims' nerves, skin and respiratory systems and resisted any single antidote.

A Western diplomat, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press the group had planned to blast a hole in the embassy wall and then send in truck bombs.

``It's not safe here anymore,'' Naji told The Associated Press. She said that she was thinking of leaving Jordan for her native land of Lebanon.

``I was scared to death and the first question that came to mind was 'what should I do with my children,''' said Husseini, a 38-year-old mother of two boys.

``I'm afraid this isn't the end of it and that there might be others plotting to harm us.''

At an Amman bus stop, 23-year-old commuter Ammar Taher said the terror plot ``was the talk of everybody aboard the bus.''

``We're all scared because we never thought the terrorists would come so close to do us harm,'' he said.

Such talk is uncommon in Jordan, where terror attacks blamed on al-Qaida and other groups elsewhere in the world normally attract little attention by a public that enjoys relative safety in the volatile Middle East.

Three weeks ago, critics claimed the government had exaggerated the latest al-Qaida terror danger to justify tightening security across Jordan. Since late March, increased numbers of police began appearing in streets, outside ministries and shopping malls.

But officials in Jordan, a moderate Arab nation with close ties to America and a peace treaty with Israel, say the kingdom has been repeatedly targeted by al-Qaida and other militant groups.

``Who's in the mood to buy anything when the country is under a terror threat?'' Dabbas told an AP reporter who visited her downtown Amman clothes store, which was empty of shoppers.

Jamil Abu-Bakr, a spokesman for the powerful Islamic Action Front, said the terrorists should not have planned to attack Arabs and Muslims.

Instead, he said, they should point their ``guns at the enemy occupying (Muslim) lands in Palestine and Iraq,'' a reference to Israel and America.

Jordanian security forces have detained six terror suspects in three operations since late March. It is unclear when they will stand trial.

[Thud]

poor babies

[Thud]

ping

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[Serene Husseini fears for the safety of her children. Sana Naji might leave Jordan over terrorism worries. Scared buyers are staying home rather than venturing into Samia Dabbas' clothing shop...Such concerns were evident across Amman on Tuesday after state-run TV showed suspected al-Qaida-linked terrorists confessing to planning large-scale bomb attacks in Jordan's capital.]

Guess they forgot the rule of "sowing and reaping".

Terrorism, through their evil spawn, is their contribution to the world.

[LibLieSlayer]

I pray that the Jordanians soon realize that it is not Amrica that is their enemy, but it is their so called "Muslim Brothers" that wish them ALL dead.

"You are either with US, or against US"!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

Amrica=America


LLS

[Wolfstar]

One of these days, the Islamofreaks are going to succeed with a massive WMD plot. As President Bush has said many times, we have to succeed against the terrorists 100% of the time. The terrorists only have to get lucky once. I hope it never happens, but if it does, I really wonder if even 80,000 or more dead will wake up the "pre-9/11" people.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Jamil Abu-Bakr, a spokesman for the powerful Islamic Action Front, said the terrorists should not have planned to attack Arabs and Muslims.

Instead, he said, they should point their ``guns at the enemy occupying (Muslim) lands in Palestine and Iraq,'' a reference to Israel and America.

Is this the Muslim code of honor?

[LRS]

I will never forget those Palestinians during Gulf War I, shouting for Saddam to "use your SCUDS", with the dumb things flopping down on...Palestinians! One of the top "Duh!" moments in human history...

[Becki]

Serene Husseini fears for the safety of her children. Sana Naji might leave Jordan over terrorism worries. Scared buyers are staying home rather than venturing into Samia Dabbas' clothing shop.

Such concerns were evident across Amman on Tuesday after state-run TV showed suspected al-Qaida-linked terrorists confessing to planning large-scale bomb attacks in Jordan's capital.

Weren't these same people dancing in the streets on 9/11??

Becki

[jocon307]

"I really wonder if even 80,000 or more dead will wake up the "pre-9/11" people."

Here is the thing about 9/11, a few years ago if you told me about this Jordan plot my brain would have sort of rejected it, because it's pretty unbelievable, to just hear it. But since 9/11 the incredible had now become completely believable.

And let's not forget the Brit Muslims caught with the Ricin, and that other story about blowing up the soccer match, that seemed to fade quite fast from the news. Was it exagerrated? Or does the Brit Gov't want it to not get a lot of attention?

[Pearls Before Swine]

I asked this before on a different thread, "Does anyone know WHAT chemicals were involved? Was it VX, some other nerve agent, or (merely) industrial poisons?" Still wondering.

[VOA]

Instead, he said, they should point their ``guns at the enemy occupying (Muslim) lands
in Palestine and Iraq,'' a reference to Israel and America.

I just had to scan the article to see if the "It's the fault of the Jews/Israelis
and their friends" would appear.

Of course, the Muslims are a model of consistency on this point.

[Lijahsbubbe]

"Does anyone know WHAT chemicals were involved?

I don't think its been disclosed yet.

[blam]

"I asked this before on a different thread, "Does anyone know WHAT chemicals were involved? Was it VX, some other nerve agent, or (merely) industrial poisons?" Still wondering."

I don't know either.

[Southern62]

I wish they would have gotten away with lighting that thing off - would have shown those scumbags that it's not about holiness - rather control.... as long as no Americans died..-- 20000 arabs - no loss..

[vigilo]

"A TV commentator said the attackers hoped to kill 80,000 people and injure 160,000.
"

But the left hates George Bush, and doesn't have one bad word for the terrorists.

[Keith]

better yet...the Eurotrash says that George Bush is the terrorist...

[weegie]

No

[R. Scott]

Makes me wonder if we are getting more help from Jordan and Syria than we are led to believe.