http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7986
"Meanwhile, Iran gets on with its bomb"
Fri. 21 Jul 2006
The Daily Telegraph
By Con Coughlin
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Note: The following news brief is a quote:
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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153291964933&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Jul. 21, 2006 10:48
IDF arrests six Palestinian fugitives in West Bank
By JPOST.COM STAFF
The IDF arrested six wanted Palestinians throughout the West Bank on Friday morning.
One Fatah operative was captured in Nablus. The other five were apprehended southwest of Bethlehem, including three Islamic Jihad members.
Al-Qaeda plotter jailed for 30 years
July 21, 2006
A PAKISTANI man convicted of participating in an al-Qaeda plot to blow up service stations in the United States was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a US federal judge today.
Uzair Paracha had been found guilty in November, 2003, after a two-week trial, on five charges, including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.
"Paracha attempted to help an al-Qaeda operative enter the United States to carry out terrorist attacks within our borders," US Attorney Michael Garcia said after the sentencing in New York.
"We are committed to the vigorous prosecution of all those who provide support to terrorist organisations, in whatever form," he said.
Paracha, who has permanent alien residence status, was specifically charged with posing as a former US resident, Majid Khan, to obtain immigration papers that would allow Khan to slip back into the United States.
According to the FBI, Khan planned to carry out attacks on petrol stations on his return to the country.
The prosecution at the trial had relied largely on Paracha's confession to FBI agents which he later recanted, saying that it had been secured under pressure and insisting he had no connection with al-Qaeda.
His argument was dismissed by US District Court Judge Sidney Stein who said Paracha was fully aware of who he had been dealing with.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19861866-1702,00.html
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jul 21 2006 08:47:27 GMT-0700.
Worldwide Caution
June 06, 2006
This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated December 12, 2005 and expires on December 6, 2006.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. The publication in the international press of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, for example, led to widespread demonstrations and riots in several countries.
The March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, illustrates the continuing desire of al-Qa’ida to strike official American targets. Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target private interests or “soft targets” with a reduced security posture. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 is one such example.
In the wake of the July 2005 London bombings and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov.
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.