I remember that! It was a sailboat IIRC. I also thought this was not an orca but was instead another of the toothed whales, the sperm whale. But I'm not sure.
I stand corrected, but it's interesting that they sank the boat, but didn't kill and eat the family once they were in the water. Maybe they got angry at the vessel?
Boy was I ever right about how fast things could be breaking after the capture of the AQ folks in Pakistan. Hopefully I can clarify what’s happened on that front. Please let me know if you want to be on the distribution list. I’ve tried to be inclusive as possible but I may have missed some, please forgive.
Summary 8/05/04 - Current National Homeland Defense threat level is YELLOW
(8/1/04) Local Threat Level ORANGE for NYC, N. New Jersey, D.C
1. Attack threat windows - (8/3/04) An operative, described as "credible" by British intelligence, told his debriefers that the attack would take place "60 days before the presidential election" which is held on Nov. 2 of this year, according to a former senior National Security Council official. On Sept. 2 (about 60 days prior) President George W. Bush is expected to address the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden.. It appears that this ‘early September’ attack window is getting more credibility from government sources to the media.
Secondary window: (8/5/04) No change. Between now and Nov 2, 2004. This window is based upon AQ threats to disrupt our national elections. However, OBL has released a tape (see below) and that could open the gates for the next round(s) of attacks worldwide.
International
(7/31/04) OBL has reportedly released a new message condemning the Jews, the U.S. and countries supporting the US in Iraq. Interesting note is that Spain is still included on the ‘hate’ list of countries. Guess OBL didn’t get the memo on the change in leadership there after 311. Potential actions observed as a result of this message – coordinated bombings in Iraq, more threats against Italy and Europe and increased threat posture in the US
Iraq - (8/1/04) I’ve left Iraq out because of the daily activity levels. However on Sunday, 5 out of 6 (the 6th failed to go off) car bombs exploded at Christian Churches throughout Iraq within 15 minutes of each other. This is a significant change in targets and the attacks bear the trademark of AQ. They occurred after OBL’s latest message and seem to be linked to the most recent al-Masri warning to Italy.
Italy. – (8/5/04) Debka reports Italy raises terror alert at international airports from Bravo to Charlie (high risk). However, Italian officials said Thursday they have increased security at Rome's civilian airport -- Leonardo Da Vinci -- because of the large influx of people during the summer holiday season. They said the threat level has not increased and Italy remains under high state of alert.
On August 1st, Al Qaeda’s Abu Hafez Masry Brigades gave Berlusconi 15 days to withdraw 3,000 troops from Iraq or face terror attack on Rome. Previous threats issued July 2, 16, 26, 28 , and 30. Some U.S. officials and some terrorism experts believe Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades, lacks credibility and has only tenuous ties to al-Qaida.
England>(8/5/04) Pakistani authorities gave British authorities images of London's Heathrow Airport and other sites that were found on computers belinging to two arrested al-Qaida fugitives, intelligence officials said Thursday. Security has been heightened.
(8/4/04) A key al-Qaida figure, Eisa al-Hindi, an al-Qaida leader in Britain was among 13 arrested in raids in Britain on Tuesday, according to a senior U.S. national security official. He said the arrests were made on information obtained following the arrests of al-Qaida suspects in Pakistan. The arrests in Pakistan that led investigators to al-Hindi began in June with the apprehension by Pakistani paramilitary forces of Mussad Aruchi, an al-Qaida operative. The official described the arrest as the initial unraveling of a network of al-Qaida members believed to have been actively planning attacks in the United States and elsewhere. Al-Hindi, according to the official, had access to the detailed surveillance of the five financial institutions in Washington, New Jersey and New York that was stored in the computer of a suspect apprehended earlier in Pakistan. Other al-Qaida operatives outside Britain also had access to the information, the official said.
Israel - (8/3/04) The Palestinian militant group Hamas has issued a video threatening daily attacks on the Israeli town of Sderot unless soldiers halt a month long operation aimed at stopping rocket attacks.
United States
(8/5/04) During this lull in the rapid developments in this area, I’ve tried to pull together the main gist of what lead up to and since DHS’ 8/1/04 announcement. It wouldn’t surprise me if something else come up right after I post this.
Portions of the country remain at a heightened level of alert following the arrest of Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan in Pakistan. Based upon the intelligence collected from Khan’s computer and multiple other sources DHS issued the Level ORANGE alert for key facilities in NY, NJ and DC. Being a political year, many news agencies reported that the surveillance information on the sites was in some instances pre-911. Unfortunately, our media has easily forgotten that 911 was in the works since as early as 1993, after the first bombing attack failed. The media did report that a third person separate from the two prisoners (Khan and Ghailani ) and documents previously disclosed provided information indicating al-Qaida was plotting to attack U.S. financial buildings prompting the latest terror warning.
(8/4/04) Law enforcement sources said there are indications that the terrorists who cased financial towers in New York, Newark and Washington may have updated their files as recently as this spring. Pasquale D'Amuro, director of the FBI's New York office and a veteran terrorism investigator, said the individuals under scrutiny here include people linked to Al Qaeda as well as Ansar al Islam and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Investigators also suspect terrorist moles worked at the Citigroup and Prudential buildings to case the skyscrapers as potential targets of car or truck bombs. A review of employee records is ongoing.
During the course of the day, additional potential targets were identified aside from the ones covered by the ORANGE alert. Among those are the American Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Bros., Goldman Sachs, the Federal Reserve Bank, Bear Stearns, the UN, Wachovia, AIG, MetLife and JP Morgan Chase. The TransAmerica building, the well-known pyramid-topped skyscraper and the Bank of America Bldg in San Francisco also were on the computer files captured. However, threat levels were not raised by the DHS for these buildings.
(8/4/04) Al Qaeda may have made contact in U.S. recently. Two senior Pakistani intelligence sources told CNN that there is evidence at least six individuals in the United States were contacted by Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan. U.S. officials have not confirmed that information. Six individuals could represent as many as six cells being notified. Now, with Khan's capture announced to the world and the collapse of his communications infrastructure to the field teams involved in any of his plans, one likely result will be that individual cells will act on their last orders and launch attacks in the near future. Their ability to coordinate will likely be severely disrupted, as terrorists cells probably have no direct contact with each other. This could increase or decrease the danger to the US as cells may act blindly. I do not know if there is another person in the AQ organization that could duplicate the work of Khan in securing their communications.
One thing is for certain, AQ was planning another operation. A coordinated operation involving up to six groups in a regional area (NE U.S.) would fit the MO of AQ. It is possible that this latest information could be related to the briefing given to congress last month, where Tom Dachel said that it was very serious.
If an early September attack is planned, then the reason behind the image of OBL and a map of NYC with explosions marked at various locations identified earlier in TM could be to announce it. With the heightened awareness around these targets, AQ may have to cancel, delay or go after secondary targets.
2. Attack method.
A. (8/2/04) DHS briefing of 8/1 indicates attack method using car or truck bombs. Since 5 specific locations were identified, it would be assumed that they would be hit in a coordinated manner. The recent Madrid attacks indicated that AQ has worked up to a higher number of coordinated efforts. As described by DHS, this has the makings for a classic AQ strike – 5 targets in regionally close proximity, somewhat lower on the radar screen than other, high profile locations, thus with the potential to be less well guarded.
(8/2/04) Nearly 1.5 tons of stolen ammonium nitrate are unaccounted for in North Carolina. Theft was reported on July 9. Mixed with fuel oil, ammonium nitrate is a favored ingredient used in al Qaeda truck bombs. Nearly a month after the theft was reported, 59 bags (2,950 pounds) of the volatile fertilizer are still unaccounted for. Is it uncertain if the theft is related to the current heighten threat status of NY, NJ and DC but is a troubling possibility.
B. Discussion in TM, internet and from national news sources indicate continued AQ interest in aircraft hijacking. Thoughts range from using far more people to putting together a ‘weapon’ of some sort in a toilet. This weapon could be an explosive device or a chemical of some sort. Another aspect is having more terrorists on the plane to help keep the passengers subdued if they can take over the craft. One piece of the puzzle missing is how the terrorists would get past the reinforced doors to the cockpit.
C. (8/3/04) IMHO, AQ nuclear option, though still rumored, does not appear to be as strong given the intel surrounding the 8/1 DHS alert, which indicates a more traditional truck bomb approach.
Personnel - (8/5/04) Federal agents and Albany police raided the Masjid As-Salam mosque overnight Wednesday and arrested Yassin Muhhiddin Aref , the Imam of the mosque, and Mohammed Mosharref Hoosain, the 49-year-old founder of the mosque two men Thursday. They are accused of reaching out to someone they thought was a terrorist trying to get a shoulder-fired missile to down planes in the United States. The men have ties to a group called Ansar al-Islam.
(7/30/04) DHS is concerned about terrorists infiltrating into the US from Mexico. This could be why the US Border Patrol is increasing its attention to the southern border. Southern Arizona has been considered by some to be a terrorist haven area. According to the Tombstone AZ newspaper, a total of 77 ME men were captured between June 13th and 21st in S. Arizona.
One purpose the infiltration of ME men in to the US could serve would be to supply more people for more initial and follow-on car/truck suicide bomb attacks. The effect of dozens of simultaneous car-bomb attacks at soft targets (malls, amusement parks, sporting events, etc) would create substantial panic as this would reveal to the American people that we are far more vulnerable than the general person on the street thinks we are.
A second reason is that the US Moslem community is absent martyr complex and substantial cultural ‘brain washing’ prevalent with the Middle East jihadists and not inclined to commit suicide, thus the bulk of people needed to commit suicide bombings are having to be ‘imported’. With the exception of 911, the suicide car bomb has been the weapon of choice, needing only willing martyrs and the careful accumulation of explosive material (fertilizer, etc).
4. Significant meetings canceled:
A. (8/2/04) None I am aware of.
5. Security has been heightened in specific cities
(8/1/04) NYC, N. NJ and D.C. are now at threat level ORANGE.
(8/5/04) New security procedures are being put in place for the Federal Reserve in DC. Police in Washington DC are blocking all traffic flow around the Capitol, and to search some of the vehicles, to ensure that explosives do not get near the building.
(8/02/04) Until further notice, trucks are now banned from taking the Williamsburg Bridge into Lower Manhattan. The Holland and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels are now closed to all in-bound commercial traffic. .
GENERAL: (8/01/04) New Mexico officials also decided to raise the threat level for banking and financial companies there, and Massachusetts officials planned to send a letter advising financial institutions to review security measures.
Boston, Philly, Seattle, LA. Trains and buses searched - Significant development in east coast towns. Some of this is in response to the upcoming republican convention. Other major financial office centers in many cities are taking additional precautions.
Ports are getting a lot more security scrutiny. Diving teams are activity looking for mines, Coast Guard turning away ships as necessary. However, this appears to be in part in line with scheduled increased security posture and not necessarily in response to a specific threat.
6. Military operations. The fleet is deployed conducting various maneuvers and exercises.
The F-117s are still deployed in S. Korea.
The first national ABM missiles are being installed in Alaska.
(7/29/04) Elements of the 2nd Infantry division stationed in Korea are deploying to Iraq as scheduled.
(7/29/04) The first successful test of the Israeli Arrow anti-missile system was successfully conducted over the Pacific Ocean from Vandenberg AFB.
7. Dept of Homeland Scty.
(8/1/04) Key excerpts from Sec. Ridge’s briefing:
” This afternoon, we do have new and unusually specific information about where al Qaida would like to attack. As a result, today, the United States Government is raising the threat level to Code Orange for the financial services sector in New York City, Northern New Jersey and Washington, D.C.”
“This is the first time we have chosen to use the Homeland Security Advisory System in such a targeted way. Compared to previous threat reporting, these intelligence reports have provided a level of detail that is very specific. The quality of this intelligence, based on multiple reporting streams in multiple locations, is rarely seen and is alarming in both the amount and specificity of the information. “
“While we are providing you with this immediate information, we will continue to update you as the situation unfolds. As of now, this is what we know: reports indicate that al Qaida is targeting several specific buildings, including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in D.C.; Prudential Financial in Northern New Jersey; and Citigroup buildings and the New York Stock Exchange in New York . Let me assure you, actions to further strengthen security around these buildings are already underway. Additionally, we’re concerned about targets beyond these and are working to get more information. “
“We have talked with the executive leadership of the companies that own these businesses and operate these buildings – the people who know these facilities best. We have told them that, at this time, there is no information that indicates a specific time for these attacks beyond the period leading up to our national elections. “
Other details now emerging not covered in the briefing is the level of detail the surveillance of the target locations. Average numbers of pedestrians, security, structural details, best coffee shops to stop at to permit surveillance were among the data collected in regards to this threat. See this link for more details:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1183005/posts
8. Domestic Terror Currently Not Linked to Jihadists
A. (8/5/04) Lansdale resident Mark Shotwell found the object that resembled a surface-to-air missile on the Pennsylvania Turnpike earlier in the evening when he pulled over for a moment’s rest. “I was traveling back from Wilkes Barre and I pulled over to the side of the road to take a leak‚” Shotwell said. “I didn’t realize it was real until I got it here.” Shotwell said he found the device‚ which he initially thought was just a toy‚ leaning up against a trash can on the turnpike‚ not far from the Allentown exit. The object weighed about 5 pounds and was about 2 feet long. Bomb squad members later examined the device and determined that it was inert.
B. (8/5/04) Law enforcement officials said that searches were under way in the town of Wellsville, New York, which is near Buffalo close to the border with Canada and in another house in Lavallette, New Jersey, 85 miles east of Philadelphia. These searches are in connection with the spread of the anthrax bacteria in the mail in 2001 that killed five people.
