Threat Matrix: November 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

U.S. to Offer Turkey Help on PKK

The U.S. is to offer Turkey a package of measures to dissuade Ankara from mounting a large-scale military incursion into Iraq to attack PKK Kurdish guerrillas, who have killed scores of Turkish soldiers in recent weeks.

Ahead of a meeting in Washington on Monday between President George W. Bush and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, U.S. officials said Ankara would have to get concrete American help to combat the PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq from where it frequently launches attacks into Turkey.

“Erdogan has to go back with the belief that for whatever reason, the U.S. is serious” about tackling Turkey’s concerns regarding the PKK, said Matthew Bryza, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. state department responsible for Turkey policy. Full story...

	Turkey Imposes Sanctions on Iraqi Kurdistan in Bid to Halt PKK
	Ambassador Ryan Crocker to Turkey: Stay Out of Iraq
	Deaths in Baghdad Hit Yearly Low

Threat Matrix:
November 2007

October 2007

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[Cindy]

NOTE: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932092/posts

Fire shuts most of main Canada-U.S. oil pipeline
reutuers ^ | 11/28/70 | reutuers
Posted on 11/28/2007 8:35:18 PM PST by Flavius
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Enbridge Inc (ENB.TO) has shut down four of its main pipelines that supply over 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Canadian oil to the U.S. Midwest due to an explosion and a fire in Minnesota, the company said on Wednesday.

The Calgary, Alberta-based company said all Enbridge pipelines in the vicinity of its Clearbrook, Minnesota, terminal — Lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 — were immediately shut down and isolated and emergency crews dispatched to the site of the fire.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...

[Velveeta]

Wife of La Shish restaurant owner pleads guilty in Detroit court

DETROIT (AP) — The wife of fugitive La Shish restaurant owner Talal Chahine has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and naturalization fraud that included faking an earlier marriage.

Elfat El Aouar entered the plea Wednesday in federal court in Detroit.

The 40-year-old resident of the Detroit suburb of Plymouth is a native of Lebanon and a former executive of Chahine’s chain of Middle Eastern restaurants.......
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-48/1196299765312460.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

[Velveeta]

Nothing but a bleating bomber (UK)

TERROR bomb plotter Dhiren Barot is bleating that he is treated worse behind bars than despised Soham killer Ian Huntley.......
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article521037.ece

[Velveeta]

Oh, that’s not good.

[Cindy]

No, it sure isn’t.

[Cindy]

Cindy’s note: For lurkers who don’t get it; Dadullah was writing TICKETS TO HELL.

###

Thanks to Nick Grace for this analysis.
(Note: Video clip included.)

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2007/11/dadullahs-tickets-to-heaven/

“Dadullah’s Tickets to Heaven”

SNIPPET: “[Editor’s Note: We have begun posting the propaganda from al-Qaeda and others for the primary purpose of informing and educating both the general public and policy makers about the level to which the enemy has actively engaged in Information Warfare. Some of the messages contain graphic content. We at ThreatsWatch post these videos as evidence of the brutal nature of the enemy we face and the clear intent they have to kill those not aligned with them. Making the public aware of the nature of the enemy - as well as the often forgotten virtues of our own nation - is one of the primary missions of ThreatsWatch and the Center for Threat Awareness.]”

By Nick Grace on November 29, 2007 at 12:01 AM

[Velveeta]

Fake bomb found at ROM (Ontario)

An elaborate bomb hoax forced the cancellation of a $600-a-plate black-tie fundraiser at the Royal Ontario Museum Wednesday night.

A suspicious package was found in the glass-covered lobby of the ROM around 6:15 p.m., Toronto police said. Bomb squad officers closed down University Ave. and Bloor St. W., in the area around the ROM. The upper floors of the museum were evacuated.

The event was supposed to attract about 2,500 people, but Bloor St. W. was closed between St. George St. and Avenue Rd., while University Ave. was closed between Bloor and Queen’s Park Circle, at Hoskins Ave, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

During the entire time, numerous people showed up for “Bloor Street Entertains,” the gala fundraiser benefiting the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, but all were turned away by police, who said the event was cancelled.

The event, which has run since 1997, is a series of dinners at 20 trendy Bloor St. W. and Yorkville-area restaurants. Guests paid $600 a plate. It’s the charitable organization’s largest source of revenue. This year’s event was to be co-chaired by Belinda Stronach.

The night was to have wrapped up with a party in the ROM. The police Bomb Squad X-rayed and examined the package at the scene, and found it to be made to look like a series of pipe bombs, wrapped together with wiring. It didn’t contain an explosive device.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/280884

St. George St.

[MamaDearest]

Thanks for the "under the black leaves" link.

David Cameron: Army must halt Russia threat

Western forces, which could include British troops, must be sent into the Balkans to prevent Russia sparking a new European war, according to David Cameron.

Speaking in Washington, the Conservative leader will issue a stark warning that Russia's increasingly assertive foreign policy is jeopardising Britain's national security.

David Cameron: Army must halt Russia threat Growing concern: British diplomats privately share Mr Cameron's fears of a Balkan crisis

Mr Cameron fears a diplomatic and military crisis could arise over Kosovo, the province of Serbia which has effectively been a United Nations protectorate since Nato invaded to stop ethnic cleansing by Serb forces in 1999.

The ethnic Albanian government of Kosovo is threatening to declare independence from Serbia on Dec 10. Moscow is backing Serbian attempts to block the declaration, while the United States and the European Union are in favour.

"Let me make it clear: there could be a new crisis in the Balkans by Christmas," Mr Cameron will say in a speech to the Brookings Institution, a Washington think-tank.

[Cindy]

Good.

[Cindy]

ADDING a press release to post no. 1322:

November 28, 2007

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/November07/sabirsentencingpr.pdf

DOCTOR SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR CONSPIRING

AND ATTEMPTING TO SUPPORT AL QAEDA

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, United States Attorney for the

Southern District of New York, announced that RAFIQ SABIR was

sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to 25 years in prison

by United States District Judge LORETTA A. PRESKA. On May 21,

2007, SABIR was convicted after a five-week jury trial of

conspiring to provide material support or resources to the al

Qaeda terrorist organization and of attempting to provide

material support or resources to al Qaeda, after pledging an oath

of loyalty to al Qaeda and OSAMA BIN LADEN in a ceremony recorded

by an undercover FBI agent. According to the evidence at trial:

SABIR conspired with his good friend, TARIK SHAH, to

provide martial arts training and medical assistance to al Qaeda,

through a man whom they believed to be a recruiter for the

terrorist organization. The recruiter was in fact an FBI agent,

acting undercover, who recorded numerous conversations with SABIR

and SHAH, including the May 2005 ceremony in the Bronx. During

that meeting, SABIR and SHAH pledged “bayat,” or allegiance, to

OSAMA BIN LADEN and al Qaeda, and agreed to provide SABIR’s

medical expertise and SHAH’s martial arts expertise to train al

Qaeda fighters.

From September 2003 through May 2005, SHAH engaged in

multiple meetings and conversations, first with a confidential

source (the “CS”) and later with the FBI undercover agent (the

“UC”). In these conversations, the vast majority of which were

recorded, SHAH discussed his desire and intent to aid al Qaeda,

and repeatedly discussed his friend, who was a doctor, as being

someone who shared his desire. For example, SHAH repeatedly

indicated his desire to train Muslim “brothers” in the martial

arts to help them wage jihad, and to find people who were willing

to press the fight. When meeting the UC for the first time, SHAH

offered himself and SABIR as a “package.” SHAH also took steps

to find locations where jihad training could be conducted and

weapons could be machined. In addition, SHAH told the UC and the

CS of his discussions with SABIR regarding their desire to move

to Afghanistan in 1998, when it was under the control of the

Taliban, and of his intention to attend terrorist training camps

there.

At the meeting on May 20, 2005, in the presence of the

UC and under the impression that the UC had the authority of al

Qaeda, SABIR and SHAH took “bayat” — pledging an oath of loyalty

to al Qaeda, and committing themselves to the path of Holy War,

to the oath of secrecy, and to abide by the directives of al

Qaeda and its leaders, including OSAMA BIN LADEN and AYMAN AL

ZAWAHIRI. During that discussion, SABIR stated that he and SHAH

had been “talking about this for a long time.” SABIR also told

the UC that he would soon be returning to Saudi Arabia for two

years to work at a hospital in Riyadh, and that he enjoyed

extraordinary freedom of movement within that country. Evidence

at trial established that al Qaeda has engaged in a long-running

terror campaign within Saudi Arabia that began in May 2003. Also

at the May 2005 meeting, SABIR wrote down his telephone numbers

in code, and gave them to the UC for the UC to provide to the

“brothers” in Saudi Arabia, inviting them to call him and

expressing his desire to meet them.

SABIR has been detained at the Metropolitan

Correctional Center since shortly after his arrest on May 28,

2005. SABIR, 53, formerly lived in Florida.

The three other defendants in this case, TARIK SHAH,

MAHMUD FARUQ BRENT, a/k/a “Mahmud Al Mutazzim,” and ABDULRAHMAN

FARHANE, were sentenced by Judge PRESKA to 15 years, 15 years,

and 13 years, respectively, following their guilty pleas.

Mr. GARCIA praised the efforts of the New York Joint

Terrorism Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of

Investigation and the New York City Police Department, for their

extraordinary efforts in the investigation of this case.

Assistant United States Attorneys JENNIFER G. RODGERS

and KARL METZNER are in charge of the prosecution.

07-290 ###

-2

[Cindy]

Thanks to STARWISE for the ping to this thread.

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932134/posts

Iraqi ‘sleeper’ spy given 4 years prison

Chicago SunTimes ^ | 11-28-07 | Leonard Fleming
Posted on 11/28/2007 10:50:23 PM PST by STARWISE

Although admitting he wasn’t “very effective” as a spy, a federal judge today sentenced a Des Plaines man to four years in prison for his role as an Iraqi “sleeper” secretly placed in Chicago for Saddam Hussein’s spy service.

Sami Khoshaba Latchin, 61, was convicted by a federal jury in April. Latchin, who worked for American Airlines at O’Hare Airport, had lied about his intelligence links with the former government in Iraq and made false statements to U.S. immigration officials when he applied for naturalization in 1998.

Now Latchin faces deportation - which the federal government wants - and Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer said she will decide soon on what role she has in revoking his citizenship.

“Obviously, the loss of citizenship is a huge penalty to pay,” Pallmeyer said during a hearing. Because the Hussein regime has fallen, she added, “There’s essentially no possibility of any recidivism.”

Before sentencing Latchin, Pallmeyer said the convicted spy failed to gather secrets on the people he was charged with spying on.

Nearly 25 family members and friends filled the courtroom to hear the verdict. One relative clutched a crucifix before the verdict was read.

(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1682087/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1682087/posts?page=368#368

#

QUOTE:

blogs:

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/11/concerns_about_mobile_phone_sm.php

“Concerns about Mobile Phone Smuggling”
By Aaron Mannes
(November 28, 2007)

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/11/28/Cellphoneslide/terrorist-slideshow-9.jpg

#

http://terrorwonk.blogspot.com/2007/11/concerns-about-mobile-phone-smuggling.html

“WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2007
Concerns about Mobile Phone Smuggling”

http://bp2.blogger.com/_DqjCKp-6zuU/R04vgq50jnI/AAAAAAAAAAg/g8GZAMn9znM/s1600-h/terrorist-slideshow-9.jpg

368 posted on 11/29/2007 12:04:45 AM PST by Cindy

[Cindy]

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

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932146/posts

Philippines - Rebel soldiers seize Manila hotel - Police ready to storm building
inquirer.net ^ | November 29, 2007
Posted on 11/29/2007 12:36:07 AM PST by HAL9000

(UPDATE 11) ‘Our military operation has started’—Barias

MANILA, Philippines — Operations to flush out the group of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV from the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati City have begun, Police Director Geary Barias of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.

“Our military operation has started; it’s ongoing,” Barias told reporters from his position outside the hotel.

He said Marines and Navy troops, as well as police commandos, have entered the hotel from the fountain area at the rear, along Ayala Avenue.

A Marines tank is headed for the fountain area of the hotel from the direction of the Landmark mall.

Three large ambulances and several smaller emergency vehicles have also arrived and are parked at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Just a few minutes ago, successive bursts of what sounded like gunfire were heard as government forces took up positions outside the hotel in preparation to serve a warrant of arrest on Trillanes and several officers being tried for plotting to toppled the government.

“We are ready to move. We will effect the warrant of arrest,” Barias said as he walked along the stretch of Makati Avenue, clapping his hands and shouting, “Let’s go, let’s go,” to several armored personnel carriers deployed on the intersection with Ayala Avenue.

Asked if they were entering the hotel, Barias replied: “Definitely.”

“We are ready to go at any time,” Barias told reporters outside the hotel, where at least two armored personnel carriers had taken up position.

~ snip ~

(Excerpt) Read more at newsinfo.inquirer.net ...

TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Click to Add Topic
KEYWORDS: arroyo; makati; manila; philippines; trillanes; Click to Add Keyword
[ Report Abuse | Bookmark ]

Some Americans are reportedly trapped in the hotel.

1 posted on 11/29/2007 12:36:09 AM PST by HAL9000

[Cindy]

blog:

(Note: Photos included.)

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3807.htm
(”Source: The MEMRI Urdu/Pashtu Project, November 27, 2007”)

“From the MEMRI Urdu/Pashtu Project: Taliban (Police) Station- Matta (in the Swat Valley of Pakistan)”

Posted at: 2007-11-28

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

#

blog:

http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/3823.htm
(”Source: IRNA, Iran, November 27, 2007”

“Iranian DM: New Missiles ‘In Line With Iran’s Deterrent/Defense Doctrine’”

(Posted November 28, 2007)

#

RECAP:

blog:

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=iran&ID=IA40707

Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 407
November 28, 2007 No.407

“Iran’s Response to Western Warnings: ‘First Strike,’ ‘Preemptive Attack,’ Long-Range Ballistic Missiles, ‘Asymmetric [Guerilla] Warfare’”
By Y. Mansharof and A. Savyon*

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=76241

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Colombo Suicide Bomber Attack
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
South / Central Asia - Sri Lanka
28 Nov 2007

Printer Friendly Email Article
RELATED REPORTS
19 Oct 2007
TRAVEL WARNING: SRI LANKA
18 Oct 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: LTTE ATTACK IN SRI LANKA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
12 Sep 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: SRI LANKA TSUNAMI WATCH
12 Sep 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: SRI LANKA TSUNAMI WARNING LIFTED
12 Sep 2007
WARDEN MESSAGE: SRI LANKA COASTAL AREA RESIDENTS ADVISED TO EVACUATE
U.S. Embassy Colombo released the following Warden Message on November 28:

Today at approximately 8:25am a female suicide bomber detonated a suicide vest inside the Ministry of Social Affairs in the immediate proximity of the office of Minister Douglas Devananda (EPDP), Isipatana Lane, Narahenpita in Colombo 05. In addition to the bomber, two other people were killed and at least three others were treated for minor wounds. Police and military personnel have cordoned off the area.

The Embassy reminds American citizens to continue to be aware of their surroundings and vigilant about their personal security. As always, Americans are advised to be on alert when visiting government facilities and high-profile public venues. Americans should also continue to avoid military installations, military convoys traveling on the roads and, where possible, government buildings, as they have in the past been targets for LTTE violence. There are likely to be traffic disruptions as Sri Lankan security forces increase their security checks.

Americans are again reminded to cooperate fully with Sri Lankan security forces as they implement increased security measures.

For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov. Americans living or traveling in Sri Lanka are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is located at 210 Galle Road. The telephone number is 011 94 11 249-8500. The number for after-hours emergencies is 011 94 11 249-8888. The fax number is 011 94 11 249-8501. The Consulate’s e-mail address is consularcolombo@state.gov and its Internet web page is http://usembassy.state.gov/srilanka. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s latest consular information sheet for Sri Lanka and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, both available at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1932154/posts

“As violence eases, Sarkozy vows justice for wounded police”
The International Herald Tribune ^ | November 28, 2007 | Elaine Sciolino
Posted on 11/29/2007 1:59:35 AM PST by Cincinna

#

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=20FFE708-EE41-4BC5-8852-DA5248EA086D

“The Parisian Intifada and ‘The Project’”
By Patrick Poole
FrontPageMagazine.com | Thursday, November 29, 2007

[Cindy]

BOOK:

http://www.amazon.com/Art-War-Terror-Triumphing-Political/dp/0979470404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195334744&sr=1-1

“The Art of War on Terror: Triumphing over Political Islam and the Axis of Jihad”
by Moorthy Muthuswamy

#

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=33ADCAA3-1E36-4665-881D-8E6C4F6C8D7B

“Jihad in India”
By Jamie Glazov
FrontPageMagazine.com | Thursday, November 29, 2007

ARTICLE/INTERVIEW SNIPPET: “Frontpage Interview’s guest today is Moorthy Muthuswamy, an expert on terrorism in India. He grew up in India, where he had firsthand experience with political Islam and jihad. He moved to America in 1984 to pursue graduate studies. In 1992, he received a doctorate in nuclear physics from Stony Brook University, New York. Since 1999 he has extensively published ideas on neutralizing political Islam’s terror war as it is imposed on unbelievers. He is the author of the new book, The Art of War on Terror: Triumphing over Political Islam and the Axis of Jihad.”

[Cindy]

http://www.satp.org
http://www.saag.org

#

http://www.saag.org/papers25/paper2477.html

Paper no. 2477

26-Nov.-2007

“Al Qaeda’s Psywar-—An Update - International Terrorism Monitor-—Paper No. 314”
By B. Raman

[Cindy]

ADDING to post no. 1357:

http://www.saag.org/papers25/paper2480.html

Paper no. 2480
29-Nov.-2007

“France: Home-Grown, Externally-Inspired Intifada - International Terrorism Monitor-—Paper No. 315”
By B. Raman