Posted on 11/10/2006 7:56:43 AM PST by XR7
LONDON (Reuters) - Muslim extremists are plotting at least 30 major terrorist attacks in Britain and the threats could involve chemical and nuclear devices, a British spy chief said.
Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of domestic spy agency MI5, said young British Muslims were being groomed to become suicide bombers and her agents were tracking some 1,600 suspects, most of whom were British-born and linked to al Qaeda in Pakistan.
"We are aware of numerous plots to kill people and damage our economy. What do I mean by numerous? Five? Ten? No, nearer 30 ... that we know of," Manningham-Buller said in a speech to a specially invited audience in London on Thursday evening.
Her remarks were posted on the MI5 Web site on Friday.
"These plots often have links back to al Qaeda in Pakistan and through those links al Qaeda gives guidance and training to its largely British foot soldiers here," she added.
The warnings were not intended to alarm but to paint a frank picture of the al Qaeda threat, she said, adding that it was sustained and growing.
"And it is not just the UK, of course," she warned. "Other countries also face a new terrorist threat: from Spain to France to Canada and Germany."
Britain suffered its worst peacetime attack in July last year when four British Islamists blew themselves up on London's transport network, killing 52 commuters and wounding hundreds.
"This is a threat that has grown up over a generation. I think (Manningham-Butler)'s absolutely right in saying it will last a generation," British Prime Minister Tony Blair told reporters.
Blair said it could only be combated by tough terrorism laws and fighting "poisonous propaganda" influencing young people.
The government has said law and order will be a major part of the next parliamentary session and tougher security measures are expected to be outlined in a speech next Wednesday.
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
Anti-terrorist police have warned the terrorist threat has increased since last year's attacks and say they have thwarted at least five major plots since then.
In August, police said they foiled a plot to blow up transatlantic airliners using liquid explosives.
Earlier this week, British Muslim convert Dhiren Barot was jailed for 40 years for planning to blow up the New York Stock Exchange and carry out attacks in Britain using a "dirty bomb" and gas-filled limousines.
Manningham-Buller, who rarely speaks in public, provided the most detailed account of how serious the threat was.
"My officers and the police are working to contend with some 200 groupings or networks, totaling over 1,600 identified individuals who are actively engaged in plotting or facilitating terrorist acts here and overseas," she said.
Manningham-Buller said the number of cases being pursued by security services had risen by 80 percent since January.
"Today we see the use of home-made improvised explosive devices. Tomorrow's threat may, and I suggest will, include the use of chemicals, bacteriological agents, radioactive materials and even nuclear technology," she said.
While Blair has rejected the argument that British foreign policy is to blame for the terrorist threat, Manningham-Buller said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan seemed to play a part.
"The extremists are motivated by a sense of grievance and injustice driven by their interpretation of the history between the West and the Muslim world," she said.
Youths were being actively targeted and radicalized, she said. "Chillingly, we see the results here. Young teenagers groomed to be suicide bombers."
We don't even know how many. Now, with Pelosi and gang in charge, it's scary. As for Britain - they let this thing get out of hand. It may be too late.
Why is this guy being a fear-monger? Doesn't he know that Islamists will love us now that the Dems control the US Congress? (extreme sarcasm)
they want terror?
they want to kill innocents?
Give them terror. NUKE Tehran, the number one exporter of terror as a warning. Make them be responsible for their people and their ideology.
Actually, it could be combated most effectively and at a minimum cost by giving up the politically correct lie that Third World immigration, diversity and multiculturalism are great benefits to Western countries
Are there any other cultures in the world that are as self-loathing and ridden with guilt as white Western culture? It will be our downfall
They're emboldened now.
Just ask George McGovern.
At the risk of being tagged with the "panic" label by some around here, I can't say I disagree with you.
I'm sure the dems have a solid plan to talk them out of it. I wouldn't worry, they will take care of everything. /s
He's just trying to scare the American voters.
You are correct. It is indeed on.
A link for reference to those who don't know what we are talking about
Former Presidential Candidate George McGovern to Discuss Iraq Exit Strategy With Democrats
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1736216/posts
ping
The demos wanted control, now they have it. I bet pelosi will be one of the first, along with Rosie O, to be Reeducated by the islamic liberators.
Oh, this is typical Chicken-Little thinking. With our new RAT congress, we'll be able to reason with these head-choppers and we'll all live happily ever after together in a peaceful world (sarc).
Pelosi and the rest of the lunatic Liberals will open the front door to America and invite our enemies in. No doubt in my mind. My father's generation (the Greatest Generation) only had to be hit once at Pearl Harbor to realize that America was at war. Tuesday's election proved 9/11 wasn't enough of a wakeup call and that this generation has to be hit again before they realize that America is at war for her survival. I guess you could call this the "Alzheimer's" generation. Unfortunately, our children and grandchildren have to suffer the consequences.
But...but...Bill Clinton told us that the whole terrorism threat thing was just a bogeyman created by the Republicans. How can this be?? (Do I really need a sarcasm tage here?)
And you know (sarcasm continues, for those who need to know) that Rosie O'Donnell has told us we need not fear the terrorists because they're "mothers and fathers."
I still can't believe what this country has done to us all.
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