FBI Warns of Terror Attacks with Fuel Tanker Trucks

Associated Press ^ | June 21, 2002 | CHRISTOPHER NEWTON

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

FBI Warns of Fuel Tank Attacks

WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI is advising law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for terrorists who possibly are plotting to use fuel tankers in attacks against Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues, a federal law enforcement official said.

This official, who asked not to be identified, said the warning was sent out to local police agencies Friday.

Another official, also speaking on grounds of anonymity, said the warning was not based on a specific threat, but on interviews with captured al-Qaida and Taliban fighters who indicated such a plot had been discussed. The interviews with detainees did not reveal a target city or time, this official said.

"Even if unconfirmed, we analyze incoming information as quickly as possible and if we think there is any chance it could be helpful, we make the decision to send it," one official said.

The official said the advisory was sent across the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, an electronic system that allows the FBI to send alerts or messages to police in all 50 states simultaneously.

The Homeland Security office approved the message before it was sent, according to the official. The FBI's 56 field offices also were made aware of the advisory.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

More CYA 'warnings' for y'all...'unconfirmed', 'speaking on grounds of anonymity', 'no specific threat'....

[mikhailovich]

Hmmm. I believe that leaves city buses and hot-air balloons as the only proposed M.O. not yet on the terrorists' lists.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Here

[PoppingSmoke]

This is old news! Just as the North Carolina State Police.

[Tai_Chung]

I have heard warnings of a possible attack in the United States using Fuel Tanker Trucks, Ambulances, and Scuba Divers.

These are exactly the same tactics used by Palestinians against Israel.

Is there a relationship between Palestinian terrorists and al-Qaida?

Think this is ridiculous? Notice the target is "Jewish neighborhoods" and the information came from "captured al-Qaida and Taliban fighters"

[Digger]

Isn't this government a joke. Beware of EVERYTHING but go out a have a nice weekend. Be sure & leave the boarders open. Bring in more Saudis on visas. Stand in line hours to fly in an airplne. Open your wallet & get nothing but this crapola in return. What a dumbed down bunch in this country.

[oiljake]

bright idea but instead of telling other feds just maybe they should tell fuel companys to keep a better eye on their trucks most feds coudnt tell the difference between a fuel truck and a dump truck

[LibWhacker]

. . . plotting to use fuel tankers in attacks against Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues . . .

Sure thing. From their rhetoric there is no doubt that they consider any part of America, Jewish or not, to be as legitimate a target as any synagogue. The only criterion is that they kill lots of people.

[Shermy]

CYA indeed. Probably some copycat chatter about that attack in Tunisia on a Jewish Synagogue. I don't know if "Qaeda" did it - it would have been the first time they ever attacked a Jewish target - usually attacked Americans, Arabs, and Central Asians. But you never know.

[Marobe]

,I>I have heard warnings of a possible attack in the United States using ....</I>
Yea, using JBT's in black clothes to break into American Citizens homes to commit murder. Examples have been found in nearly all States of the Republic. Citizens are urged to tap twice, then call 911

[TexKat]

Hmmm. I believe that leaves city buses and hot-air balloons as the only proposed M.O. not yet on the terrorists' lists.

Don't speak too soon. They're every where!!!

[Cinnamon Girl]

I've seen a lot more Muslims in our neighborhood lately. But there's also sikhs in the area and if a guy has a colored turban on his head I don't know if he is muslim or Indian. Does anyone know how to tell the difference? I saw a guy with a colored turban on the other day standing on the corner in the middle of our neighborhood writing stuff in a folder. He was just standing there.

[LikeLight]

Spice Girl, that's what's so confounding about all of this . . . there's no law against just standing there (at least in most places) . . . and there's no law against taking pictures of water treatment plants . . . or against videotaping and taking notes while riding ferries and not getting off at any of the stops . . . or against trying to buy a used ambulance with cash . . . or kayaks . . . or scuba equipment . . . so what do we do? I suppose you could go up the guy and ask him what he's up to - there's no law against that.

[Ingtar]

Fuel tanker trucks with a load of liquid Cyanide. Would this be something to finally worry about? Or can I keep moving on... nothing to see here?

[mil-vet]

SIGH! CYA or not, take the warning and pay attention! As inferior as these homicidal vermin are in all human respects, they are not ALL stupid, and although they are not going to post their plans on a bulletin board anywhere, there WILL be certain signs no matter how smart they are!

We must all stay vigilent and stay armed!

Vigilence includes looking for ANYTHING which might be out of place like, for example, a fuel truck, on a holiday, parked ANYWHERE!

Only seldomly will one see a fuel truck working (or, especially, PARKED anywhere away from it's trucking yard) on a holiday, except in very narrowly defined areas (like fuel depots and PERHAPS the occassional fuel station), but NOT along any parade routes or near Synagogues or churches (especially not in the summer when heating oil is not required!!).

Just be alert for things which are THE SLIGHTESTEST BIT out of line with what you expect in a given situation or at a specific time! Use your common sense, and you'll be as OK as it's possible to be!

[Jethro Tull]

Will the trucks be driven by scuba divers?

[fivecatsandadog]

Will the trucks be driven by scuba divers?

Hey, don't give anyone any ideas....

[Map Kernow]

I've seen a lot more Muslims in our neighborhood lately. But there's also sikhs in the area and if a guy has a colored turban on his head I don't know if he is muslim or Indian. Does anyone know how to tell the difference? I saw a guy with a colored turban on the other day standing on the corner in the middle of our neighborhood writing stuff in a folder. He was just standing there.

I'm not Sikh or Muslim, but according to what I know and have observed, the wearing of a topknot, a turban---and a dagger!--is a religious duty for male Sikhs. Although somewhere in Muslim tradition Muhammad is supposed to have praised turban wearing, I've seldom seen it on even Muslim clerics, who generally wear a skullcap sort of like a yarmulke.

But *SIGH!* you never really know... In Israel, murder bombers have been known to disguise themselves as Hasidim, IDF soldiers, etc. Be alert!

[UltraConservative]

Well here's another useless warning. Glad the info's out there -- too bad the FBI won't act on it, and we will continue to pretend that 80 year-old black grandmothers are as likely to hijack fuel trucks and detonate them in front of synagogues as wonderful peace-loving Muslims. Oh, that terrific religion-of-peace!

[absalom01]

. But there's also sikhs in the area and if a guy has a colored turban on his head ...

Sikhs wear white.