EXPERTS FEAR CHEMICAL ATTACK

New York Post ^ | 9/16/01 | BRIAN BLOMQUIST

[kattracks]

September 16, 2001 -- WASHINGTON - Master international terrorist Osama bin Laden might try to use deadly chemical or biological weapons in a future attack, according to worried U.S. officials.

The officials say they aren't aware of a specific plot to spread chemical weapons or plant a fatal disease that could wipe out thousands, but they do know the wealthy terror kingpin has been trying to get his hands on those killer weapons.

[petuniasevan]

We need to issue an ultimatum: ANY use of NBC (nuclear, chemical, biological) weapons
by ANY individual, group, or state WILL get a nuclear response. A big one.

[griffin]

I think it would be silly to think that BL does NOT have at least B&C weapons....may even have cells already in US outfitted for it.

Sports games in a nice big statium would be an excellent spreader.

On another note...I wonder why few sports games this weekend?? (maybe baseball is going...I haven't kept up)

[orlop9]

Even if they don't have the more sophisticated B&C weapons, our water supplies are very vulnerable, and our nuke plants have very big bullseyes painted on them also.

[robnoel]

I have posted a bunch of stories about this today on my web page...no question it should concern us all

EAGLESUP

[surfer]

That ultimatum should already be assumed.

Our response needs to be un-measurable and executed with extreme prejudice.

Every single person on this planet needs to know that if you tread on us soil and violate our freedom the response will be total and final! No diplomacy!

[Le-Roy]

   I see you already have some of this info on your web-site. Best estimates from intelligence sources are that 'WhoseMama's bin poppin' has a couple pounds each of sarin and tabun, and possibly as many as 20 suitcase nukes (anyone interested in corroboration can search on Uncle Bill's posts).

   People still do not realize that bin Laden is a brilliantly creative psychopath - with vast resources, no honor, no regard for human life, no conscience whatever - who has managed to tap into fundamentalist religious fervor to further his aims.

   People keep spoutin' 'bout 'bombing 'em back to the stone age' - but they are already there. I believe his intent is to have us join him, so that we no longer have the capability to wage a distant war. We have already witnessed his determination, and capacity for coordination and planning. It is highly likely that there are more agents already in place, with the requisite resources, to launch 'phase 2'.

   Take out a large hydro-electric plant near Ca. Mass casualties from the incident itself, and further strain on the power grid. Release an obscure biologic with a long incubation period - by the time we have a clue, it is already over half the country. A few more incidents like these, and our emergency services infrastructure (fire, police, & natl. guard) would be nearly overwhelmed...making it much easier to target military command-and-control and logistics centers.

   Along with this, wait until our ground forces are congregated in Afghanistan, and trigger two or three of his nukes. A large percentage of our active-duty military gone. One or two more spectacular successes along these lines, and the rest of the reactionary elements of Islam will begin to take a more active role.

   Bizarre? Incredible? Yes...but so were the events of Tuesday. People need to understand. Without incredible diligence and circumspection, there will be massive civilian casualties here (50k to 1M+).

[MarMema]

Release an obscure biologic with a long incubation period - by the time we have a clue, it is already over half the country

Such as?

[Ol' Sparky]

Definitely. Any country that harbors or supports terrorism will be receive a nuclear response if any nuclear attack occurs. The radical Islamic maniacs don't understand mutally-assured destruction, but these nations will understand the concept.

[Le-Roy]

Anthrax (of which Iraq already has the supply, and the delivery system - as of '98, FAS reported that Iraq had 8,400 liters of this, and 19,000 liters of), botulinim, brucella (developed as a weapon by the U.S.), ebola, rotavirus, smallpox, bubonic & pneumonic plague...take your pick.

   If you want to be especially nasty, you can even make a cocktail, say, ebola's effects grafted onto the high-contagion capability of smallpox.

[HENRYADAMS]

I'll bet on chemical or nuclear attack. Biological(excepting plant disease) is probably not in the cards. Disease can come back and bite the perp. See for example the famous Blck Plague, it did not respect borders.)

[fightu4it]

Hit them hard before the can organize anything else!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Who is to say the west nile virus wasnt just a test case?

[HENRYADAMS]

I'll still bet on nuclear or chemical for the reasons stated.

[orlop9]

They may be here already with plans to attack targets in the future. What we need to do is protect potential targets. As far as protecting potential delivery vehicles, it's doubtful they try to use commercial airliners for while, but what's to keep 'em from renting a plane?