Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread SEVENTEEN

World Net Daily ^ | 8-10-04 | Paul Sperry

[JustPiper]

Credit: The Cabal

The title refers to a daily report given to the president of the United States detailing the most serious terrorist threats against the country. To tackle those threats, the government has formed a top-notch task force to infiltrate the terror cells and cut off the danger.

"Every morning, the president receives a list of the top ten terrorist threats - this list is known as the threat matrix."

We here at FR are trying to be in conjunction with the daily reports around the world that involve threats. We try to provide a storehouse of information that takes hours of research.

YOU be the Judge and get informed.


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

Link to Thread Sixteen

With the nation on high alert for al-Qaida terrorists, the Department of Homeland Security is putting its border officers through "etiquette" classes to soften their image and make them less threatening to arriving foreign immigrants, WorldNetDaily has learned.

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."
-- Jewish proverb

We are the "Stotters" who make ourselves aware of the
enemy who wishes to do us harm.




"What good are the color codes at all if we are suddenly hit with a bio or chem attack? There would be no warning and the danger would be instant."

"Code Red Implications
Code Red - Stay Home and Await Word."
by MamaDearest

Meet It!
Greet It!
Defeat It!

[ExSoldier]

I love Mad Max. But I was a kid, then, too. Nearing age 50, I don't think I'd be having a lot of fun.

There's a real problem for them to try and float too many balls into the air. It's a crucial juggle for them to start with, but I wouldn't doubt that the three tiers we discussed last thread might attack very close together albeit staggered in both location and proximity.

[tmp02]

08/10/2004 # 1
TerroristWarning.com Headlines 08/10/2004 # 1

TerroristWarning.com Terrorism Headlines 08/10/2004 # 1

National:

[Cybercast News Service] USA - Terrorist 'Probing Attacks' Said to be Happening Nationwide

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=%5CSpecialReports%5Carchive%5C200408%5CSPE20040809a.html

[AP] NEW YORK - Helicopter Tours in New York Proceed Despite Reports of Terror Threat

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB4JIETOXD.html

[WorldNetDaily.com] USA - WEST NILE VIRUS - CDC gave Saddam West Nile samples

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39864

[WTVD] NORTH CAROLINA - Roads and Businesses Closed after Suspicious Device Found in Car

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/080904_NW_suspiciouscar.html

[NBC5.com] ILLINIOS - Pipe Bomb Discovered In Downers Grove

http://www.nbc5.com/news/3633803/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65192

[The Trucker] USA - FBI, DHS urge reporting of suspicious activity

http://www.thetrucker.com/stories/08_04/0809_fbi_report.html

[Maryland Gazette Newspapers] MARYLAND - Mysterious illness affects 110 students

http://www.gazette.net/200432/princegeorgescty/updates/229982-1.html

[WNEP-TV] PENNSYLVANIA - Potassium Iodide Pills Available

"in case there is a nuclear emergency"

http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=2150882&nav=5ka4Pfv9

[AP] USA - FBI warns al-Qaeda may use helicopters, limousines in terror attacks on U.S.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/terror/20040809-1140-terrorthreats.html

[PTI] USA - FBI warns top US legislators could be targeted

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_936515,00050001.htm

[Detroit Free Press] MICHIGAN - No evidence of plans for terror attacks in Michigan, FBI says

http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw102434_20040809.htm

[DetNews.com] MICHIGAN - FBI to patrol sporting events

http://www.detnews.com/2004/metro/0408/09/c08-236071.htm

[Las Vegas Review-Journal] LAS VEGAS - SURVEILLANCE OF CASINOS: Terror suspects had LV video

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Aug-09-Mon-2004/news/24493057.html

See also : http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2150011&nav=8faOPfRU

See also : http://www.wesh.com/news/3634838/detail.html

[Meeting News] LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas Officials Deny Charges They Ignored Terrorism Threat

http://www.meetingnews.com/meetingnews/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000604151

[CNN] NEW JERSEY - New Jersey man investigated in terror probe

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/08/09/nj.terror.suspect/

[Arizona Daily Star] USA / MEXICO - Mexico works to spot potential terrorists

http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/dailystar/33442.php

[HUMAN EVENTS] USA / MEXICO - Middle Eastern Men Still Sneaking Across Border

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=4743

[FrontPageMagazine.com] USA / SOUTH AMERICA - Connecting the South American Terror Dots

http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=14557

[UPI] USA - Commentary: Al-Qaida's US network

"The FBI's Mueller testified before Congress he believes several hundred al-Qaida operatives are living in the United States"

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040809-074716-8688r

[WOKR-TV] NEW YORK - Waterway Watch; Terrorism Awareness

"Coast Guard Auxiliary wants boaters on New York's waterways to keep an eye out for possible terrorist activity"

http://www.wokr13.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=FA59552D-380B-43A5-B3F4-DC191C271B93

[WNEP-TV] PENNSYLVANIA - Hazardous materials crews contain chemical leak

"the fumes left several people feeling sick, and at least five were taken to a hospital for treatment"

http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=2153008

[Clarksville Leaf Chronicle] TENNEDDEE - Suspicious package found in mailbox

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/updates/8062.html

[Omaha Channel.com] NEBRASKA - Suspicious Package Alarms Police [ Contents not disclosed]

http://www.theomahachannel.com/news/3639090/detail.html

[Town Hall] USA - Former FBI Agent Warns Swift Boat Vets

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/garyaldrich/ga20040810.shtml

[Officer.com] USA - DHS Bulletin: Potential Terrorist Use of Official Identification, Uniforms, or Vehicles

http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?id=15912&siteSection=8

[TheSmokingGun.com] NORTH CAROLINA - Foreign national detained after filming N.C. skyscrapers  [ also banks,dams]

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0810041nc1.html

International:

[AP] SRI LANKA - Suspicious mail closes US Embassy [ Mail containing powder]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apasia_story.asp?category=1104&slug=Sri%20Lanka%20US%20Embassy

[San Diego Union Tribune] PERU - Peruvian authorities search for missing radioactive material

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20040809-1227-peru-radioactivematerial.html

[AP] MAURITANIA - Officials: Mauritania Foils Bomb, Assassination Plot in Heavily Arab West African Nation

"Mauritania's pro-U.S. government broke up a plot by military officers and radical Islamists to seize power in this heavily Arab West African nation through a bombing and assassination campaign"

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBO86MZOXD.html

[AP] IRAQ - Militant Group Threatens Attacks on Ministries, Government Office; Insurgents Storm Allawi Party Office

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBYGE0ZOXD.html

[WorldNetDaily.com] IRELAND - Americans in Ireland targeted for terror? Extra protection ordered at U.S. Embassy after al-Qaida threats

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39868

[Xinhuanet] COLOMBIA - Bomb explodes in Colombia, injuring at least 21 [ Up to 38 injured in other reports ]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-08/09/content_1741560.htm

[MOSNEWS] RUSSIA - Powerful Bomb Defused in Moscow Region

http://www.mosnews.com/news/2004/08/09/moscowbomb.shtml

[KanglaOnline] INDIA - One hurt in bomb explosion

http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=18854&typeid=2

[Arutz Sheva] ISRAEL - Suicide Terrorist Captured Before Planned Blast

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=67057

[Hi Pakistan] PAKISTAN - Security beefed up in Karachi to ward off terrorist attacks

http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en70501&F_catID=&f_type=source

[Daily Times] PAKISTAN - Harkat activist, 3 foreigners arrested for Qaeda link

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_10-8-2004_pg7_4

[Independent Digital] UNITED KINGDOM - British suspect 'was found with US naval documents'

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=548823

[Reuters] AFGHANISTAN - Afghan Taliban said to have split

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=561863&section=news

[Reuters] EL SALVADOR - El Salvador Tightens Security After Iraq Threats

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=5916031

[NewsMax.com] IRAQ - Physicist: Saddam's Uranium Stockpile Enough to Yield 142 Nukes

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/8/9/110630.shtml

[Webindia123.com] BANGLADESH - Bomb threat prompts B'desh to put airport security on high alert

http://www.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=45288&cat=Asia

[AP] INDIA - India Decides to Repeal Controversial Anti-Terrorism Law

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBHTFTIQXD.html

[ExSoldier]

Dropped off of buildings?

I have actually tested this theory several times. In college we used to waterbomb FRAT-RATS (ROTC and the Frats had a running war) off prominent university buildings. We even tried similar stunts at various drill competitions, etc. Take it from me, if the balloon is dropped from five stories or less, it works great. Anything higher than ten stories and it tends to be ripped apart in mid air, I think from wind friction over it's surface....but not sure. I also don't know if you could get enough agent into a balloon or drop enough in the right pattern to insure uniform dispersal. But keep thinkin' Butch! That's what yer good at!

[Godzilla]

Thanks for posting these war gaming series from Tom Marzullo. Gives much to think about.

[nwctwx]

Yup, I thought the same thing...

[HipShot]

That's a lot to digest. The things that jump out most:

The bombing in Columbia. It may be FARC, it may also be a message from a neighbor who has 5 days left before a recall election.

The "142" Iraqi nuclear bombs. On paper this guy is almost correct. There is also loss involved in the separation process. I don't know of any equipment in Iraq to extract the enriched product. The material was by no means "nuke ready". It'd take a LONG time to pull out the 235. There are also the machining loss issues. The claim to 55 lbs., (25 kilograms), being required per weapon is absolutely off the mark. This NewsMax story is not quite "BatBoy" grade, but it's close.

[Honestly]

Is this a cover up of the Los Alamos problem?

3:16 pm: Lab's 'missing' nuclear weapon disks never existed

August 10, 2004

The presumed missing computer disks that forced the security shutdown and political uproar at Los Alamos National Lab, appear to not be missing at all.

KRQE News 13 has learned that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has concluded the disks, thought to have contained nuclear weapon secrets, were never missing.

In early July, lab officials announced that the disks were missing, prompting a massive and unprecedented security shutdown and consequent investigation. Nearly two dozen scientists and administrators were placed on leave and virtually all lab operations were suspended.

Now, sources tell KRQE News 13's Larry Barker that FBI investigators have concluded the disks in question, generally called 'Classified Removable Electronic Media' or C.R.E.M., were never missing and may have never existed in the first place

The clerical error appears to center around the bar codes used to track classified material. The bar code stickers that would have been found on the supposed missing disks were instead discovered still affixed to their original printed forms.

The FBI declined comment on this report and the lab says it will release the findings of its investigation when appropriate.

Much of the lab's classified work is still shut down pending the outcome of a Department of Energy review.

The shut down has called into question the University of California's management of the facility, made longtime political supporters question lab practices and has cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/2863.html#

[JellyJam]

Well, folks ... all the weeks I stocked up for a terror attack will come in handy sooner than I thought. They're projecting Charley to turn into a hurricane and cut across Cuba and hit Florida (I live in Sarasota) by Sunday. Should be an interesting weekend.

[oceanview]

[HipShot]

What method were the goblins going to use in Jordon? They had predicted 85,000 deaths IIRC. It was something on the top of skyscrapers. I don't know the mechanics of their plan.

The only efficient way I can come up with is a low altitude sprayer similar to crop dusting. The helicopter couldn't be a tourist thing, it'd hafta be their own.

B/C doesn't fit here.

A helicopter can't do the damage to a building that a jet can do. Different issues entirely.

I hate to say this, but the only effective use for a stolen helicopter would be around 1850'.

[Quix]

THANKS BIG! GREAT JOB, AS USUAL.

[Godzilla]

TM'rs are paying attention, though. If something happens along the NBC line, no one here will be surprised.

The BC definitely no surprise. However, the nuke would almost be unspeakable. It was bad enough watching the WTC go down in a matter of hours, but to see and equivalent in a matter of seconds. As you-all probably figured out, I'm skeptical about the nuke aspect. But then who would have thought to fly planes into buildings either. And if Iran gets nukes, you can bet they'll get into terrorist hands most tic.

[ExSoldier]

I hate to say this, but the only effective use for a stolen helicopter would be around 1850'.

Ah! I remember you saying that was the altitude the Hiroshima bomb detonated, right?

[JellyJam]

I better stock up on wine!

[oceanview]

how close to the water do you live?

[JellyJam]

About 5 miles from Sarasota Bay.

[Bobibutu]

"The power converter box can be a good weapon when swung, and the cords themselves would be handy to subdue someone. Tied up, strangled, etc.

And a sharpened new #2 pencil held between the 3rd and 4th fingers with the eraser against the palm - inserted under the jaw with an upward thrust will make it thru the nasal cavity and enter the brain. Other trajectories are effective as well.

[HipShot]

Yup. I'm not creative enough to come up with another use for a hijacked helicopter.

Sorry about that.

[Honestly]

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

9/11 link: Hamburg to Laden - Craig Whitlock

HAMBURG, AUGUST 10 Two years before the 9/11 attacks on the US, the ringleaders of the plot had a different destination in mind: Chechnya. But an encounter with a stranger on a train in Germany led the conspirators in a new direction, eventually putting them in touch for the first time with Osama bin Laden and the leadership of Al Qaeda.

The 1999 episode on the German train, disclosed in the final report of the US Commission investigating the attacks, is based on interrogation reports that until recently were kept secret. According to the account, a mysterious passenger, identified as Khalid Masri, urged the Islamic radicals to postpone their mission to Chechnya until they could speak with a Mauritanian businessman, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who arranged a personal meeting with bin Laden.

The circuitous path that led the group to Afghanistan is a key piece of evidence cited by the Commission in concluding that the Hamburg cell had no intention of attacking the US until it was recruited almost by chance by Al Qaeda to become the field marshals of the 9/11 operation.

That finding contradicts a long-held theory advanced by German prosecutors, who have argued that the Hamburg radicals conceived of the plot themselves in Germany and then sought Al Qaeda's support and sponsorship.

According to US and German investigators, the Hamburg cell included 11 core members who played a role in preparing for the attacks. Of those, three died in the hijackings, two are facing trial in Germany, two are in US custody, and one is imprisoned in Syria. Three others remain at large.

The competing version of how the conspiracy began threatens to derail Germany's attempts to prosecute two men accused of belonging to the Hamburg cell and assisting the attacks. A suspect, Mounir Motassadeq, a Moroccan, is to go on trial on Tuesday on 3,066 counts of accessory to murder. Motassadeq, found guilty 18 months ago, is still the only person convicted in connection with the attacks.

The 9/11 Commission's findings are based on classified reports of interrogations of Ramzi Binalshibh, a member of the Hamburg cell who was to serve as a lead hijacker but did not get a visa to the US. He was caught in Pakistan in 2002 and is being held in US custody. During interrogation, Binalshibh described the 1999 encounter on the German train. His statements led the 9/11 panel to reach a conclusion different from that of the German prosecutors, who believed that the plot originated in Germany.

In 1999, when the four members of the Hamburg cell left Germany for Afghanistan, it was unlikely that they knew of the planes operation, the panel wrote.

German authorities have wondered how the hijackings could have been planned in their midst without triggering any alarms. Now the US investigation has answered their question by saying the plot was not hatched here. This was the assumption for a long time, said Manfred Murck, a German intelligence official. In a way, we feel better that not all the responsibility is on our shoulders.

Citing Binalshibh's statements, the commission reported that Masri urged the Hamburg radicals to contact Slahi. They did, and Slahi invited them to visit him in Duisburg, Germany.

According to the Panel, Slahi told them it was difficult to slip into Chechnya and told them to go to Afghanistan.

In December 1999, the trip to meet bin Laden prompted the Hamburg contingent to swear allegiance to Al Qaeda. It also resulted in an immediate assignment: to lead and plan the 9/11 hijackings in the US. (LAT-WP)

URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=52836

[ExSoldier]

Actually, I have seen live nerve agent used on live monkeys. If you'd ever seen that....well, lemme say I'd rather get the nuke on my doorstep. Better to be "part of the cloud" in a nanosecond than to feel like nine seconds is nine agonizing hours.