Franco-Algerian extremists acquire anti-aircraft missiles here - Le Figaro
PARIS, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- Extremists linked with radical, Franco-Algerian Islamic groups now have the ability to mount a missile attack against an airline over France, a fact that has now been confirmed by several security sources, French daily "Le Figaro," reported Friday.
Such an attack would follow an earlier pattern set by a missile attack against an Israeli plane taking off from the Kenyan capital, Mombassa, three years ago.
The plane was slightly damaged but managed to land with 261 people on board.
Other reports said another attack failed against an Israeli civilian airline because it is said to have had anti-missile defense systems aboard, systems most western planes do not have.
The United States is pondering a multi-billion program to install radar detectors and defense systems on its civilian fleet but that operation would take many years to complete.
France has been increasing public warnings in the past two weeks that it is a significant target for a terrorist attack because it is fully involved in the fight against terrorism and is also an active partner to the United States in the war against the Taliban and Al-Qaida in Afghanistan.
French anti-terrorist Judge Jean-Louis Brugiere, the countrys anti-terrorism Czar, has stated in a number of recent interviews that groups are active here and France should be on guard against attacks like those that took place in London in July, when close to 60 died. ( Brugiere said he favors tightened measures to prevent terrorist attack, including more video surveillance and intelligence gathering. The government approved a plan Wednesday to increase video-surveillance and other measures, including longer detention periods for suspects, although human rights groups are strongly opposed to these steps.
The parliament is expected to approve the measures in the coming weeks.
Le Figaros report, placed on page one alongside a picture of a militant firing a shoulder-held, anti-aircraft missile, is in stark contrast to the relaxed position taken by the French since the invasion of Iraq three years ago, when they felt they were not involved therefore not a target.
Now, these radical groups are threatening France and are as much linked with Algeria and Chechnya as with Iraq and France is a serious target, a fact that will create unease in the public, as will the front-pager in Le Figaro.
According to the newspaper report, two "Sam 18" anti-aircraft missiles have been acquired by the French-based Islamic groups being investigated by Brugiere.
Experts said that the missiles, which were allegedly bought from the Chechen mafia, could be used in or around either of the Paris airports in a range of between 500metres and 5,000 metres.
The inquiry by the French side has been able to substantiate information about the missiles through interviews with a suspect held in Jordan, Adnan Mohammed Sadiq, alias Abu Atiya, who was close to the Al-Qaida leadership, Le Figaro reported. (end) jk.
Score one for Israel