FBI Probes Man's Claim of Threat

AP | 6/21/02 | KEN RITTER

[kattracks]

LAS VEGAS, Jun 21, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- The FBI said Thursday it is investigating a Nevada man's claim that he picked up a conversation in Arabic on his cell phone during which someone said there would be a "hit" on the "day of freedom."

"We've initiated a full-scale investigation to determine if this constitutes a threat, and if so, what kind of threat," said FBI Special Agent Daron Borst in Las Vegas.

Borst said agents have interviewed the man who reported the conversation, Michael Hamdan, and planned to question him again Friday.

Hamdan said he was trying to call his wife on his cell phone Saturday when he heard Arabic voices. Hamdan, 54, said he's a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Lebanon and speaks Arabic.

"They said in Arabic, not even a word of English, 'We are in the city of corruption, the city of prostitution, the city of gambling, the city of unbelievers,"' Hamdan told The Associated Press late Thursday. '"We are going to hit them on the day of freedom."'

Hamdan said the call lasted about 90 seconds before the line went dead. He said he believes the men were talking about July Fourth.

"I was frozen, absolutely cold," Hamdan said. "I was sweating. I couldn't believe what I heard."

Hamdan said he reported what he heard to the FBI early Sunday morning.

Hamdan, who is married and has two children, described himself as a semiretired businessman. He said he moved to the United States in 1976.

By KEN RITTER Associated Press Writer

Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[happygrl]

Bravo for Mr.Hamden, a naturalized American of Lebanese descent. We need more loyal, brave Americans of Arab descent to assist the FBI in exposing these Islamic terrorists.

There was no "but" in his efforts, only the instincts of a true American.

[snippy_about_it]

bttt