Iraqis targeted W ranch - Terror team tried to sneak into Texas through Mexico

New York Daily News ^ | 3/29/03 | JAMES GORDON MEEK

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON - An Iraqi terror team armed with millions of dollars tried to get smuggled into the U.S. through Mexico to Crawford, Tex. - the site of President Bush's ranch, a law enforcement source said yesterday. The alarming attempt to infiltrate the country occurred this month, the source said.

It is not known what the Iraqis planned to do in Crawford, but Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein tried to assassinate Bush's father, the former President George Bush, in 1993.

The unidentified Iraqis wanted to hire smugglers to sneak them into the U.S. because they "wanted to get to the Crawford ranch," according to the well-placed law enforcement source. They also asked a Mexican doctor and a lawyer named Claudio to change about $100 million in Iraqi dinars into U.S. currency - about $325 million.

Secret Service officials would not comment yesterday about the possible threat or the suspects' whereabouts.

The President and First Lady Laura Bush spend most of their downtime on the 1,600-acre Prairie Chapel Ranch, nestled in the central Texas scrubland. Bush used the Texas White House to woo world leaders into his "coalition of the willing" against Saddam.

The assassination attempt on Bush's father came as the former President attended ceremonies in Kuwait celebrating the success of the Gulf War, which ousted Saddam's troops from Kuwait. Because of the failed assassination, then-President Bill Clinton ordered a Tomahawk missile barrage on Iraq.

The current President has not forgotten the attempt to kill his father. A red-faced Bush recently reminded a visitor of the 1993 plot by Saddam, and said, "The SOB tried to kill my dad."

Other plots thwarted

Iraq's attempt to infiltrate the U.S. came to light as U.S. officials announced they had thwarted Iraqi-sponsored terrorism in two foreign countries, as well as plots directed at U.S. targets.

"There are two countries where operations have been compromised, and we have information on plots in other countries," State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said.

Department officials declined to say whether the Mexico report had any connection to those Iraqi terrorist plots.

In both foreign cases, the operatives were arrested, terrorist material was confiscated and the attacks were not carried out, said another State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher.

The U.S. has asked a number of countries to expel suspected Iraqi intelligence officers, based on "the significant threat posed by their presence," Boucher said.

With Thomas M. DeFrank

[Tancredo Fan]

Hmmm.... maybe ol' Jorge will give another thought to how dangerous having a porous border with a corruption-bloated feces pond like Mexico is and secure the damn thing. Somehow I doubt it, though.

[McLynnan]

Definitely, thank you! Those Iraqis need to be told "Don't Mess With Texas" and above all don't mess with W's ranch.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I didn't read the whole thread when I pinged you. I should've figured you'd see it! :-)

[dennisw]

Would be so amusing if GWBush really got serious with our Mexican border due to an attempt on his life. With all this war stuff and reinforcements being sent to Iraq, no way do we get troops on the Mexico border.

[McLynnan]

How 'Baptist' is Baylor any more? Many schools with religious roots are not longer Christian, and therefore might welcome non-Christians as students.......even Muslims.

Baylor is full of students from well to do, religious conservative families. It's not known as a party school (although they do have their fair share of parties). Liquor, cigarettes, and immodest clothing are forbidden on campus. The administration promotes a Christian atmosphere and philosophy. Tuition fees are high, so there is a perception that all the students are "rich", but I think the reality is that many of them are on scholarship assistance and work to support themselves. It's considered a safe place to send your kids.

[DoughtyOne]

I am very strident in my support of our President's policies regarding Iraq and the execution of this war. I believe his instincts regarding the Iraq theater of war are excellent, and I must support him and our troops.

Sadly the Iraq theater is not the only theater of this war. There's a US theater too. And if our troops can be tasked to police one theater, I believe it is appropraite for them to be tasked to police both. Beyond that, I believe it is essential that they police both.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

So did the INS let them go yet? Cynical, I know...but based on past performances this is exactly what the INS does.

Seal those borders Jorge! With that kind of money to play with, we'll have an invasion in no time.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Maybe if some Iraquis tried to come thru the AZ border and threatened to take out John McCain, Sen. Jon Kyl or our 'RAT she/he governor, the AZ border might get tightened up a bit.

Yer dreaming. :0)

[ETERNAL WARMING]

If Claudio the Mexican lawyer offered them more than $10,000, he's nuts. The author's claim that they had $325 million is absurd.

Not if they were bringing funds for all the Arab sleepers in this country. That makes more sense than all that cash for one puny attempt on W's ranch.

[Geezerette]

I know ... sad, isn't it. And soooo frustrating!!

Sen. Kyl was on a top o' the hour new break after I posted that. He was whining about the porous border and the threat of terrorism in AZ. I mumbled to myself, "Why haven't you DONE SOMETHING about it, you (expletive deleted)!"

g

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

BTTT

[Frank_2001]

Hey Saddam: DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Haven't their been numerous reports of Arabs crossing over from Mexico?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

You are certainly a deep thinker, aren't you? I'm sure the plan would involve hanging out in Crawford with the locals. (/sarcasm)

[Terridan]

Yep, there have been reports last year, right here on FR, about terrorist infiltrations of our Mex/USA borders....

[Terridan]

But Middle Easterners look like members in my family, Hispanics, just by changing their hair and clothing a little... unfortuate but true...and there is such complacency over this matter.

[Catspaw]

But Middle Easterners look like members in my family, Hispanics, just by changing their hair and clothing a little... unfortuate but true...and there is such complacency over this matter.

And so do I at the end of August...but you can bet anyone who even gets near Crawford is going to be scruntized thoroughly. The president's security is paramount.

[Terridan]

Let us pray you are right!
Best wishes,
Terri