[Angelus Errare]

I remember the report, not sure if anything came of it.

The thing is that if he was only there for 3 days in the summer of 2001, that isn't enough time for him to learn to fly, besides he was already getting classes in the States. OTOH, if the Iraqis wanted to hand him off a nasty bio-weapon as payback against the US, 3 days is more than enough time to get it to him and to show him how it works.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I think it was only a suspicion during the Anthrax scares following 9-11. There are so many unanswered questions about this whole thing. I just wonder if we will ever get truly concrete answers. I want to believe these documents are genuine but I want to make sure that it is solid evidence that we can present to the world, especially those who are so openly hostile to the president for the war.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

One more reason to support the creation of a new terrorist state in the mideast. If these guys can't train in Iraq, they need somewhere to go.

Abu Nidal Organization (ANO)

From: Patterns of Global Terrorism, 2002. United States Department of State, April 2003.

Comments on the content of the material should be sent to the U.S. Department of State

Other Names

Fatah Revolutionary Council
Arab Revolutionary Brigades
Black September
Revolutionary Organization of Socialist Muslims

Description

International terrorist organization founded by Sabri al-Banna (a.k.a Abu Nidal). Split from PLO in 1974. Made up of various functional committees, including political, military, and financial. In November 2002, Abu Nidal died in Baghdad; the new leadership of the organization is unclear.

Activities

Has carried out terrorist attacks in 20 countries, killing or injuring almost 900 persons. Targets include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, moderate Palestinians, the PLO, and various Arab countries. Major attacks included the Rome and Vienna airports in December 1985, the Neve Shalom synagogue in Istanbul and the Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking in Karachi in September 1986, and the City of Poros day-excursion ship attack in Greece in July 1988. Suspected of assassinating PLO deputy chief Abu Iyad and PLO security chief Abu Hul in Tunis in January 1991. ANO assassinated a Jordanian diplomat in Lebanon in January 1994 and has been linked to the killing of the PLO representative there. Has not staged a major attack against Western targets since the late 1980s.

Strength

Few hundred plus limited overseas support structure.

Location/Area of Operation

Al-Banna relocated to Iraq in December 1998, where the group maintains a presence. Has an operational presence in Lebanon including in several Palestinian refugee camps. Authorities shut down the ANO’s operations in Libya and Egypt in 1999. Has demonstrated ability to operate over wide area, including the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Financial problems and internal disorganization have reduced the group’s activities and capabilities.

External Aid

Has received considerable support, including safehaven, training, logistic assistance, and financial aid from Iraq, Libya, and Syria (until 1987), in addition to close support for selected operations.

[arasina]

Atta wouldn't necessarily have been taking flying lessons for those 3 days. Didn't he learn that elsewhere? He could have just been polishing his other "skills" or sealing a deal...or, like you said, getting a nasty bio-weapon. Did anyone ever check his printing/handwriting against those on the anthrax letters sent in the U.S.?