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NYC bomb plot terrorist free to bomb again
American Thinker ^
| March 06, 2009
| James Simpson
Posted on 03/06/2009 12:01:38 PM PST by neverdem
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced Wednesday that Khalid Al-Jawary, a dangerous Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorist convicted of a 1973 New York City bomb plot and implicated in multiple terrorist attacks spanning two decades, was deported to Sudan. He had served only half of his thirty year sentence. Recently declassified information additionally reveals that Al-Jawary got help from New York's Iraqi diplomatic mission in communicating with his PLO masters.
In March of 1973, Al-Jawary and possible accomplices planted three powerful car bombs: two along 5
th Avenue near Israeli-owned banks, and one at Kennedy Airport. Timed to explode upon the arrival in New York of then Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, the bombs fortunately never detonated. Al-Jawary then fled the United States and remained on the run until 1991 when he was nabbed in Italy and turned over to the FBI. While Al-Jawary always maintained his innocence,
60 of his fingerprints were lifted from the bombs and related evidence.
In addition to the 1973 bomb plot, Al-Jawary was suspected in a worldwide mail bombing campaign in the 1970s and the midair bombing of a TWA airliner in 1974 which killed all 88 on board, including 17 Americans. He was arrested and held for a time in Germany in 1979 for another bombing attempt. His bomb-making signature - a certain kind of electronic timing device - also linked him to other fatal bombings throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
"
He's a very dangerous man," said Mike Finnegan, the former FBI counterterrorism agent who captured Al-Jawary. "A very bad guy."
At Al-Jawary's April 16, 1993, sentencing,
Judge Jack Weinstein stated that his bombs could have: "killed and maimed hundreds, caused large fires and terrorized thousands of people," adding that "It is highly likely that were this defendant released he would continue his dangerous terrorist activities."
Nonetheless, on February 19th, Al-Jawary was released from the Bureau of Prison's Supermax facility in Florence, Colorado, and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation.
How did this happen?
According to the Bureau of Prisons, because Al-Jawary's conviction stemmed from a 1973 incident, he was sentenced under "old law." Under old law, any federal prisoner was eligible for "good time" equal to 10 days per month served as long as he kept his nose clean. He was also eligible for additional good time based on work performance while incarcerated. When added to time served, i.e. the two years he was incarcerated before sentencing, this reduced Al-Jawary's time by a total of 5,168 days (fourteen years and two months).
So Khalid Al-Jawary, a career terrorist who will very likely return right back to his deadly trade, goes free at age 63 after serving only 15 years and ten months of his thirty year sentence. Had he been forced to serve out his full sentence, he might have died in prison, or failing that, would have at least been slowed down by age. And he's deported to Sudan, of all places. I would like to know why Sudan was chosen.
A number of news sources have claimed that the FBI was pursuing new charges against Al-Jawary, in hopes of derailing his deportation. On February 19, for example,
NPR's Dina Temple-Raston reported:
For now, the U.S. is able to buy time. They are remanding Al-Jawary to immigration officials while the FBI looks at whether it can bring new charges against him. [FBI case agent Craig] McLaughlin and his team are reviewing the previous investigation and are actively searching for new leads that might link Al-Jawary to other attacks. While officials work out the details of Al-Jawary, the former Black September member will remain in custody. U.S. authorities are in no rush to release him.
Jim Margolin, spokesman for FBI's New York field office would not confirm or deny that the FBI had pending charges but said: "The file isn't closed and wasn't when [Al-Jawary] was sentenced." He added that the FBI has expressed a "continuing investigative interest" in Al-Jawary.
Pursuing this case further theoretically does not depend on Al-Jawary remaining here. The FBI pursued him around the world for eighteen years before catching him in 1991. But even then they got lucky. Having him safely behind bars in the U.S. while new charges were sought would sure have made life easier for the FBI -- not to mention his potential future victims.
The ICE announcement identifies Al-Jawary as "a native of the Palestinian Territories" who has "dual citizenship with Iraq and Jordan." While ICE claims that deportation to countries other than the deportee's home country is not uncommon, the choice of Sudan is interesting. With a radical Islamic government conducting genocidal wars against its own non-Muslim peoples, and its long-time support for terrorist organizations, Sudan can only be described as Terrorism Central. I suspect we will be hearing from Al-Jawary again.
But whatever Al-Jawary does from now on, his release underscores the absurdity of treating acts of terrorism as law enforcement matters, subject to the vagaries and inadequacies of the U.S. court system in dealing with what are in fact acts of war.
Changes in the law supposedly make this kind of scenario less likely for terrorists prosecuted in the U.S. today. However, laws are always subject to change. Politicians can also issue pardons, as former President Bill Clinton did for
16 Puerto Rican terrorists, or turn the criminal justice system on its head, as
retiring Illinois Governor George Ryan did by commuting death sentences for 171 death row prisoners in 2003.
Furthermore, treating terrorism as a criminal matter makes it less likely the real culprits are caught. Al-Jawary was a skilled bomb maker, but he was expendable. The true perpetrators were top level PLO planners, who carried on, only temporarily inconvenienced -- if at all -- by the loss of one technician.
Our criminal justice system of necessity focuses on people like Al-Jawary. Prosecutors have an incentive to win cases. This means getting ironclad evidence against those apprehended or those thought to have actually committed the crime. In terrorist investigations those who actually commit the crimes are usually the lowest level actors and thus least relevant in bringing down the organization that orchestrated the attack. At the same time they are the most likely to be caught and the easiest to prosecute. Indeed, they are often considered throwaways, deliberately left to be caught while the big fish swim away.
Those behind the plot, the real masterminds, plan it to minimize their risk of capture. Thus, even with Al-Jawary behind bars, the PLO leadership remained free to plot and execute murderous plans. And plan and execute they did.
Finally, terrorism cases tried in court may require divulging military secrets to the defense. This not only threatens our national security, but can prove fatal to undercover operatives working on our behalf.
Regardless, the Obama administration has made it crystal clear they will treat acts of terrorism in just this fashion, undermining our ability to take the fight to the enemy, while guaranteeing that we expend excessive law enforcement resources chasing targets of limited value. And the day may yet come when we see the most dangerous al Qaeda terrorists currently residing at GITMO seek and receive early release for "good behavior."
Oh, by the way, Saddam's Iraq was involved in the 1973 bombing. But that's another article.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections; US: Maryland; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 1973; 197307; 19730701; 1974; 1979; 1991; 19930416; 200902; 20090219; abualiraqi; abuwalidaliraqi; aliraqi; aljawary; alon; assassinationplots; banks; blackseptember; bso; carbombs; carlosthejackal; chevychase; georgeryan; goldameir; goodbehavior; iraq; iraqi; iraqiterrorism; iraqplo; israel; jackweinstein; jawary; jordanian; judicialsystem; kennedyairport; khalidaljawary; mailbombings; mailbombs; meir; mossad; palestinian; pflp; plo; ploiraq; propalestinianwar; proterrorist; saddamhussein; spies; spooks; sudan; terrortrials; tm; twa; walidaliraqi; waronterror; weinstein; wot
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1
posted on
03/06/2009 12:01:38 PM PST
by
neverdem
To: neverdem
My first thought was “Ayers”, but he’s been free for decades. I got it right on my second guess.
2
posted on
03/06/2009 12:07:44 PM PST
by
TurtleUp
(Turtle up: cancel optional spending until 2012, and boycott TARP/stimulus companies forever!)
To: neverdem
3
posted on
03/06/2009 12:11:52 PM PST
by
ETL
(ALL the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
To: neverdem
Eric Holder's role in the pardons of BLA (Black Liberation Army) comrades/Weather Underground members, Susan Rosenberg and Linda Evans (Brinks Truck robbery and triple murder):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165052/postsEric Holder, Bill Clinton, Wright's 'Black Liberation' "church", and the pardons of 16 members of the Puerto Rican Marxist terrorist group FALN:(Wright's Marxist BLT 'church' (Obama's 'church' for 20+ years) advocated for FALN terrorists)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2165024/posts
_________________________________________________________
"Fraunces Tavern is a restaurant and museum in lower Manhattan, New York City. It was built on the site of a former building which played a significant role in pre-Revolutionary activities, and in which, on 4 December 1783, General George Washington bade farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolution, before returning to his home, Mount Vernon."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraunces_Tavern
_________________________________________________________
"During the 1970s and 1980s, FALN members set off at least 138 bombs in five major U.S. Cities. Six Americans were killed in those attacks. One of those bombings, in January 1975, was at the historic Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan while patrons were at lunch. The explosion killed four and injured more than 50."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/05/bill_hillary_and_the_faln.html
_________________________________________________________
"Between 1974 and 1985 the FALN (Puerto Rican Armed Forces of National Liberation) organized 120 terrorist bombings in the United States. Many Americans were killed in those bombings, and many more were crippled. In 1983, another Puerto Rican terrorist group known as the Macheteros, attacked and robbed a Wells Fargo armored car in Connecticut. The Macheteros intended to use the money to finance a terrorist campaign against the United States. Working under the cover of Puerto Rican nationalism and claiming to act on behalf of the 'oppressed people of Puerto Rico,' the FALN and the Macheteros are nothing but Communist revolutionaries. Both groups were organized by Fidel Castro's secret police. The ultimate goal of the FALN and the Macheteros is the creation of an independent Marxist-Leninist dictatorship on the island of Puerto Rico."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=19760
4
posted on
03/06/2009 12:12:59 PM PST
by
ETL
(ALL the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
To: neverdem
All of our 'law agencies' are hog-tied so they can't do the right thing. It's sickening.
"I'll be visiting an American City near you as soon as I can get back from Sudan. Shouldn't be too hard with your lax border and terrorist-loving policies. Allah Akbar!"
5
posted on
03/06/2009 12:14:25 PM PST
by
Diana in Wisconsin
(Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
To: neverdem
6
posted on
03/06/2009 12:41:34 PM PST
by
Diogenesis
("All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities." - Dune)
To: neverdem
7
posted on
03/06/2009 12:41:43 PM PST
by
Erik Latranyi
(Too many conservatives urge retreat when the war of politics doesn't go their way.)
To: neverdem
8
posted on
03/06/2009 3:53:14 PM PST
by
SuperLuminal
(Where is another agitator for republicanism like Sam Adams when we need him?)
To: wardaddy; Joe Brower; Cannoneer No. 4; Criminal Number 18F; Dan from Michigan; Eaker; Jeff Head; ...
9
posted on
03/06/2009 3:53:41 PM PST
by
neverdem
(Xin loi minh oi)
To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...
Khalid Al-Jawary, a dangerous Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorist convicted of a 1973 New York City bomb plot and implicated in multiple terrorist attacks spanning two decades, was deported to Sudan. He had served only half of his thirty year sentence. Recently declassified information additionally reveals that Al-Jawary got help from New York's Iraqi diplomatic mission in communicating with his PLO masters.
What could go wrong? Thanks neverdem.
10
posted on
03/06/2009 5:24:45 PM PST
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
To: neverdem
I'm sure he's the same Judge Weinstein as the one you are thinking of. He has been a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York for many years.
But Judge Weinstein gave him 30 years in 1993, so don't blame him for this release.
To: neverdem; ml/nj; SunkenCiv; Clintonfatigued; jazusamo; fieldmarshaldj; Just A Nobody; ...
Oh, by the way, Saddam's Iraq was involved in the 1973 bombing.Saddam's Iraq was also involved in the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. Yes, there were two American ex-GI's arrested and convicted, but the Clinton Administration somehow decided not to indict and prosecute the Iraqi intelligence agents who gave them their marching orders.
Source: Jayna Davis, The Third Terrorist, (Nashville, TN: WND Books, 2004).
To: Diogenesis
Our poor nation.
The President is a marxist crypto-muslim.
By the way, what CHRISTIAN CHURCH did the THIEF IN CHIEF attend last Sunday?
I mean, we all knew he was going to steal everything in sight once he got to the White House but 2 TRILLION DOLLARS?.
This is like a bad Twilight Zone episode.
13
posted on
03/06/2009 6:51:17 PM PST
by
Rome2000
(Peace is not an option)
To: neverdem
To: neverdem; ETL; Interesting Times; SandRat; NYer; Robert A. Cook, PE; 2ndDivisionVet; ...
15
posted on
03/06/2009 8:44:23 PM PST
by
The Spirit Of Allegiance
(Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
To: neverdem
Then this is one of the pukes who tried to kill me with bombs (more than once) back in the 1970s. Fortunately none of them hit me, and the only one that got near was actually mailed by a Mormon in Provo Utah to a male rival for the affection of some woman. (They caught him ~ put his return address on the package).
And this judge let this guy loose and didn't tell me when and where. Means the judge was in on it.
16
posted on
03/06/2009 8:52:16 PM PST
by
muawiyah
To: The Spirit Of Allegiance
17
posted on
03/06/2009 9:20:52 PM PST
by
dixiechick2000
("Most Effective Obama Critics: Charles Dow and Edward Jones" ~ John McCormack ~ The Weekly Standard)
To: neverdem
Don't get sidetracked. Jack Weinstein had nothing to do with the fact he was deported. The directive to give him time off for good behavior came from Obama hack Janet Napolitano.
Question. How do you have anything but good behavior in SuperMax?
18
posted on
03/07/2009 12:05:59 AM PST
by
MindBender26
(The Hellfire Missile is one of the wonderful ways God shows us he loves American Soldiers & Marines)
To: muawiyah
disgusting judge.
How brave Ayers was...whiny little jerk now in a lovely townhouse and calls the cops when Fox goes to interview him.the irony of it all....
I hope he comes to speak at our town so I can spit on him!
To: IncPen
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