Threat Matrix: August 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

Disaster Looms in Pakistan

Decorum was abandoned as accusations ricocheted between the wood-panelled walls of Pakistan's national assembly on Monday night. "Murderers! Murderers of innocent people!" screamed an MP from a religious party, his yellow turban shaking as he wagged a finger towards the government benches.

Five female parliamentarians, their faces concealed behind black and white burkas, slapped the benches with open palms. Another mullah stood up and started shouting. The speaker strained to maintain order.

Others were less captivated by the debate on last month's siege of the Red Mosque, in which more than 100 people died. One man snoozed at his desk. Across the vast hall others started whispered conversations. And high above them Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a dapper man with a pinched, clean-shaven face, looked on impassively from his giant portrait on the wall. Full story...

	New Al Qaeda Web Ad Threatens 'Big Surprise'
	Mohamed Haneef Linked to Radicals in MI5 Probe
	Terrorists in Their Own Words

Threat Matrix:
August 2007

July 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

[Velveeta]

De Javu on the acetylene tanks.

[Cindy]

Yep.

[Velveeta]

Boy, I missed that incident.
Bombland security
http://gwterrorist.blogspot.com/2007/03/where-my-boys.html

[Cindy]

UPDATE (Note: Posted on the national FBI web site on 8/8/2007).

#

August 3, 2007

http://portland.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2007/elfsentencing080307.htm

“Final Sentencing Hearing Held in Case of Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front for Acts of Eco-Terrorism in Five Western States

Ten dreveive prison sentences for roles in numerous arsons, committed from 1996 through 2001, resulting in millions of dollars in damage”

PRESS RELEASE SNIPPET: “Eugene, Ore. - Today U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken completed the last sentencing hearing in the largest eco-terrorism case in U.S. history. The conspiracy involved twenty acts of arson, spanning five years and five Western states, committed by self-proclaimed members of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and the Earth Liberation Front (ELF).

The ten defendants acted in an underground cell they called “The Family.” In their previously entered guilty pleas, the defendants acknowledged they and their group sought to influence and affect the conduct of government, private business, and the civilian population through force, violence, sabotage, mass destruction, intimidation and coercion, and to retaliate against government and private businesses by similar means. Total damages exceeded $40 million. The investigation involved multiple agencies of federal, state and local law enforcement and spanned over nine years.

“We are pleased with the sentences imposed by Judge Aiken,” stated U.S. Attorney Karin J. Immergut. “They are substantial sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed by the defendants. This is the largest case of environmental extremists ever prosecuted in the United States. The successful investigation and prosecution resulted from the intense and dogged persistence of all the law enforcement agencies involved who worked collaboratively and cooperatively on the local, state and federal levels.”

The defendants were sentenced to the following prison terms for the charges listed:

1. Stanislas Gregory Meyerhoff (age 29) - 156 months

1. October 11, 1998 - attempted arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Holding Facility near Rock Springs, Wyoming
2. October 19, 1998 - arson at the Vail Ski Facility in Eagle County, Colorado
3. May 9, 1999 - arson at Childers Meat Company, Eugene, Oregon
4. December 25, 1999 - arson at the office of the Boise Cascade Company in Monmouth, Oregon
5. December 30, l999 - destruction of a Bonneville Power Administration energy facility high-voltage tower near Bend, Oregon
6. September 6, 2000 - arson at the Eugene, Oregon, Police Department West University Public Safety Station
7. January 2, 2001 - arson at Superior Lumber Company, Glendale, Oregon
8. March 30, 2001 - arson and destruction of 35 SUVs at Joe Romania Chevrolet Truck Center, Eugene, Oregon
9. May 21, 2001 - arson and attempted arson at the Jefferson Poplar Farm, Clatskanie, Oregon
10. October 15, 2001 - arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Facility, Litchfield, California

2. Kevin Tubbs (age 38) - 151 months

1. October 30, 1996 - arson at the U.S. Forest Service Oakridge Ranger Station near Oakridge, Oregon
2. July 2l, 1997 - arson at Cavel West, Inc. in Redmond, Oregon
3. November 30, 1997 - arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Facility near Burns, Oregon
4. October 11, 1998 - attempted arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Holding Facility near Rock Springs, Wyoming
5. December 22 and 27, 1998 - arson and attempted arson at U.S. Forest Industries, Medford, Oregon
6. May 9, 1999 - arson at Childers Meat Company, Eugene, Oregon
7. September 6, 2000 - arson at the Eugene, Oregon, Police Department West University Public Safety Station
8. January 2, 2001 - arson at Superior Lumber Company, Glendale, Oregon
9. March 30, 2001 - arson and destruction of 35 SUVs at Joe Romania Chevrolet Truck Center, Eugene, Oregon
10. October 15, 2001 - arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Facility, Litchfield, California

3. Chelsea Dawn Gerlach (age 30) - 108 months

1. October 11, 1998 - attempted arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Holding Facility near Rock Springs, Wyoming
2. October 19, 1998 - arson at the Vail Ski Facility in Eagle County, Colorado
3. May 9, 1999 - arson at Childers Meat Company, Eugene, Oregon
4. December 25, 1999 - arson at the office of the Boise Cascade Company in Monmouth, Oregon
5. December 30, l999 - destruction of a Bonneville Power Administration energy facility high-voltage tower near Bend, Oregon
6. September 6, 2000 - arson at the Eugene, Oregon, Police Department West University Public Safety Station
7. May 21, 2001 - arson and attempted arson at the Jefferson Poplar Farm, Clatskanie, Oregon

4. Nathan Fraser Block (age 26) - 92 months

1. March 30, 2001 - arson and destruction of 35 SUVs at Joe Romania Chevrolet Truck Center, Eugene, Oregon
2. May 21, 2001 - arson and attempted arson at the Jefferson Poplar Farm, Clatskanie, Oregon

5. Joyanna L. Zacher (age 29) - 92 months

1. March 30, 2001 - arson and destruction of 35 SUVs at Joe Romania Chevrolet Truck Center, Eugene, Oregon
2. May 21, 2001 - arson and attempted arson at the Jefferson Poplar Farm, Clatskanie, Oregon

6. Suzanne Nichole Savoie (age 29) - 51 months

1. January 2, 2001 - arson at Superior Lumber Company, Glendale, Oregon
2. May 21, 2001 - arson and attempted arson at the Jefferson Poplar Farm, Clatskanie, Oregon

7. Kendall Tankersley (age 30) - 41 months

1. December 22 and 27, 1998 - arson and attempted arson at U.S. Forest Industries, Medford, Oregon

8. Darren Todd Thurston (age 37) - 37 months

1. October 15, 2001 - arson at the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Facility, Litchfield, California

9. Jonathan Mark Christopher Paul (age 41) - 51 months

1. July 2l, 1997 - arson at Cavel West, Inc. in Redmond, Oregon

10. Daniel Gerard McGowan (age 33) - 84 months

1. January 2, 2001 - arson at Superior Lumber Company, Glendale, Oregon
2. May 21, 2001 - arson and attempted arson at the Jefferson Poplar Farm, Clatskanie, Oregon

Judge Aiken reaffirmed the Paul sentence at a hearing on August 1, 2007. Today she imposed a final sentence of 41 months in Tankersley’s case.

“If this case proves anything, it is that the FBI and its partners on the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and in other law enforcement agencies are absolutely committed to defeating terrorism in this country,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel R. Nielsen. “We will not let those who inspire fear and commit criminal acts with the intent of changing the policies of our government or her people succeed. Whether a case takes one day or ten years, we will pursue it until we can ensure justice for our shared community.”

“ATF is pleased to have provided its expertise in arson investigations to this case, demonstrating once again that no one is entitled to take the law into their own hands,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelvin N. Crenshaw, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Operation Backfire is notable for many reasons: agencies’ work that was done collaboratively from start to finish; the strong organizational commitment to supporting such a thorough and long-term investigation; and the extraordinary efforts and professional competence of so many individuals investigating and prosecuting this case,” commented Captain Chuck Tilby of the Eugene Police Department. “It demonstrates how our system is prepared to work as long and as hard as it takes to get justice done on the public’s behalf.”

Other members of the conspiracy took part in the following arsons:

(1) October 28, l996 - arson and attempted arson at the U.S. Forest Service’s Detroit Ranger Station in Detroit, Oregon;
(2) June 21, 1998 - arson at the National Wildlife Research Facility in Olympia, Washington; and
(3) May 2l, 200l - arson at the University of Washington Horticulture Center, Seattle, Washington.

Three other charged defendants are international fugitives: Joseph Dibee, Rebecca Rubin and Josephine Sunshine Overaker.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kirk A. Engdall, Stephen F. Peifer and John C. Ray. The ALF/ELF arson conspiracy was jointly investigated over a nine year period by the FBI, ATF, Oregon Department of Justice, Eugene Police Department, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriff’s Office.”

[Velveeta]

Sure will.

[Cindy]

http://www.memritv.org
http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S5&P1=9

#

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP167807

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1678
August 10, 2007 No.1678

“Jihadist/Islamist Websites and Their Hosts (List II): Websites Supporting the Jihad in Iraq – Hosted in the U.S.”

SNIPPET: “As part of their warfare against the Coalition forces in Iraq, terrorist organizations have been using cyberspace to enhance the psychological effect of their attacks within their ranks, to enhance recruitment, and to extend the reach of their propaganda.

The following is a list of active Jihadist/Islamist websites supporting the jihad in Iraq, divided into four categories. [1]

All the websites, forums, and blogs supporting jihad in Iraq are hosted by companies in the West, mostly in the United States.”

#

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP167707

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1677
August 10, 2007 No.1677

“Islamist Websites Monitor No. 127”

[BurbankKarl]

Wall Street gonna drop more tomorrow...the Asian markets have dropped overnight

[Cindy]

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/fayyad_gov_e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)
August 7 , 2007

“SALAM FAYYAD’S GOVERNMENT”

SNIPPET: “The guidelines of Salam Fayyad’s government stress the government’s commitment to the option of peace as a necessity that arises from political circumstances and from the Palestinians’ international commitments. The terrorist organizations attacked those guidelines since they make no mention of the “resistance” (i.e., the path of violence and terrorism)”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jolo

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879121/posts

#

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6939753.stm

Last Updated: Friday, 10 August 2007, 03:49 GMT 04:49 UK

“’Fifty dead’ in Philippines clash”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “More than 50 people have been killed in clashes between troops and Islamist militants in the southern Philippines, military officials say.

The fighting, on Jolo island, began on Thursday when militants ambushed a military convoy, killing 10 soldiers.

Fifteen more soldiers died in later gun battles, and at least 27 militants were killed, the military said.

It blamed Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf and rogue elements in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Thursday’s fighting took place near the town of Maimburg.”

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2190.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Aug 10 2007 00:01:51 GMT-0700.

PHILIPPINES

April 27, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2122.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Aug 10 2007 00:05:26 GMT-0700.

BURUNDI

August 09, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_940.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Aug 10 2007 00:07:15 GMT-0700.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

August 09, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3073.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Aug 10 2007 00:08:12 GMT-0700.

Fiji

August 09, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.theaviationnation.com/2007/08/09/coming-to-an-airport-near-you-project-hostile-intent/

#

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-08/ns-cyc080807.php

“Can you catch a killer before they commit a crime?”
(August 8, 2007)

#

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/aug/09/terrorism

“Security firms working on devices to spot would-be terrorists in crowd”
The Guardian
(Thursday August 9 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1186693761881.shtm

“Remarks by Secretary Chertoff at a Press Conference on Secure Flight and the Advance Passenger Information System”
(Release Date: August 9, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1186668114504.shtm

“DHS Announces Predeparture Screening of International Passengers and First Step Toward Secure Flight”
(Release Date: August 9, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=uganda

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=marburg
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=marburgvirus

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1879125/posts

“Virus outbreak contained in Uganda”
San Luis Obispo Tribune ^ | Aug. 09, 2007 | KATY POWNALL

Posted on 08/10/2007 12:28:57 AM PDT by neverdem

Associated Press

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An outbreak of a deadly Ebola-like disease at a mine in western Uganda has been contained, health officials said Thursday.

The Marburg virus, a rare hemorrhagic illness, killed a 29-year-old last month. The country had not seen a Marburg outbreak for 30 years.

Health Minister Dr. Stephen Mallinga said the 21-day maximum incubation period has passed with no new cases reported.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=nicaragua

#

SNIPPET - QUOTE:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=71973

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Vigilance Recommended in Nicaragua
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Americas - Nicaragua
8 Aug 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=nicaragua

#

Previously...

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44039000/jpg/_44039932_ortega_ahmadinejad203afp.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6931807.stm

Last Updated: Sunday, 5 August 2007, 07:29 GMT 08:29 UK

“Iran and Nicaragua in barter deal”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Iran is to help Nicaragua develop its infrastructure in return for farm products, according to a trade deal between the two countries.

Under the agreement, Iran will help develop a port and build houses and industrial sites.

In return, Nicaragua will export coffee, meat and bananas to Iran.

The two countries, which have strained relations with the US, have improved ties since Daniel Ortega became Nicaraguan President in January 2007.

Under the accords, Iran will fund a farm equipment assembly plant, four hydroelectric plants, five milk-processing plants, a health clinic, the building of 10,000 houses, and two piers in the western port of Corinto, government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=train
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=trains

#

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/08/europe/EU-GEN-France-Terror-Threat.php

“French police increase security on trains in northeast after tip on terror threat”

The Associated Press
Published: August 8, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “PARIS: Police boosted security on trains in northeast France on Wednesday after receiving a tip about a suspected terrorist threat to the rail line between Basel, Switzerland and Luxembourg, police and prosecutors said.

The DST counterintelligence service opened an investigation into the suspected threat after Luxembourg tipped off France’s Interior Ministry overnight, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.”