Posted on 12/22/2002 3:28:45 PM PST by doug from upland
Latest News
Anonymous letter warns of bio-attacks in Europe: Report
Berlin, December 22 :
US, British and French consulates in Germany have received detailed letters warning of biological weapon attacks in Europe by the al-Qaeda network, German magazine Stern reported today.
The magazine quoted German security sources as saying that the lengthy letter, received by the three consulates in the western cities of Duesseldorf and Frankfurt, warned of some 50 "very dangerous people" who belong to al-Qaeda and live in Germany.
The suspects, whose names, addresses and telephone numbers were included in the letter, were planning biological attacks "soon" in Europe, Stern reported.
Potential targets mentioned in the letter included embassies, banks, large buildings and US, British or French companies, according to the report.
The "very dangerous people" listed included mainly Pakistanis and Afghans as well as some Indians, many of whom live in Germany legally.
Others had disappeared and failed to report their whereabouts to immigration authorities, as is required under German law, or were being sought for deportation, according to the report.
Checks by state police offices and Germany's domestic and foreign intelligence services found that about 10 of the people listed had already come to the attention of authorities, accused of crimes such as smuggling illegal immigrants into the country or trading in heroin and stolen cars.
Germany Probes New Al Qaeda Attack Warning
Sun December 22, 2002 09:40 AM ET
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany is investigating a tip that a 50-member strong al Qaeda cell may be planning attacks on embassies, banks and multi-national corporations in Germany and across Europe, an interior ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
The official said state prosecutors in Frankfurt are investigating the tip about possible attacks, which Stern magazine said in its next edition came in warnings sent to British, French and American consulates in Duesseldorf and Frankfurt.
"The state prosecutors office is investigating this," the interior ministry spokesman said. Because of the investigation he said he could not provide any details. The state prosecutors office in Frankfurt could not be reached for comment.
Stern magazine said the three consulates in Germany had received anonymous letters warning about attacks, including the use of biological weapons, that could be coming soon from a 50-member al Qaeda group operating in Europe.
The magazine said the attacks were aimed at embassies, banks or large buildings, including American, British and French companies.
The tip included names, addresses and telephone numbers of group members. They are for the most part Pakistani, Afghan and Indian nationals, and many reside as legal aliens in Germany. A few others on the list have long been wanted by police.
Stern said that nine state crime offices in Germany, the BND intelligence agency and the office for the protection of the constitution had found that about a dozen of the people listed face charges of forging documents, drug trafficking, and being accomplices to the illegal entry of foreigners.
Five people on the list have jobs at Frankfurt international airport and work in security areas with access to sensitive parts of the airport, Stern said.
Interior Minister Otto Schily said recently the threat of terrorism in Germany was as great now as it had ever been since last year's September 11 attacks on the United States.
Germany has been on high alert in recent months following an April suicide attack at a synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia that killed 14 Germans, five Tunisians and a Frenchman along with the assailant.
The head of Germany's BND intelligence service, August Hanning, has warned that the agency believed al Qaeda was preparing new attacks, with Germany and France added to the target list because of support for the U.S.-led war on terror.
=========================
I wonder if the Germans will wake up and get on board with us if they are hit.
You can bet on it. It's interesting to note that only Great Briton is standing with us since we were hit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.