[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the MSNBC story, this looks to me like like one particular tribe trying for working an angle for massive Ransom Monies....now I ask...where is Al-Queda?

[bnelson44]

From the article: The Defense Ministry official said the plot was uncovered by the military intelligence and the government’s General Intelligence Service, which said the al-Qaida recruits planned to take U.S. and British diplomats hostage then demand withdrawal of U.S. and British troops.

[Marine_Uncle]

"From the MSNBC story, this looks to me like like one particular tribe trying for working an angle for massive Ransom Monies....now I ask...where is Al-Queda?"
Their exiting the country most probably, and leaving behind those willing for some last blasts.
The electric generation stations have sorely been neglected due to the loss of revenues from neglected broken down refineries, and the al Qaeda attacks on oil pipelines.
No one should feel they have to make an excuse and denie there is not a grave problem in this area. However, the IIG can be shown to have not placed much emphasise on doing whatever it takes to improve these particular service industries. We are dealing with a backward and in-efficient country. The hopes is during this upcoming four term government, to get the right people in the ministry positions and underlings that will work hard at rebuilding and modernizing these two services. The US can only do so much to put bandaids on the many sore wounds.
Simple things like aging and ill maintained steam generators in their power plants that break down, lead to reductions in total electrical output. When we invaded, all the Russian engineers and techs who maintained these facilities left. I remember in early 2004 reading about generator stations being shut down, because parts where not available for repair and maintenance. Short of building them new modern power plants, this problem is not going to go away.

[Marine_Uncle]

"From the MSNBC story, this looks to me like like one particular tribe trying for working an angle for massive Ransom Monies....now I ask...where is Al-Queda?"
Perhaps heading for easier target rich environments where they can set up a safer effective base operation.