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Bin Ladin Is Getting Reorganized; Soon a New 11 September

01 Feb 2004

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Rome: La Repubblica in Italian 01 Feb 04 p 3 [Telephone Interview with al-Muhajiroun leader Shaykh Umar al-Bakri Muhammad in London by Marco Ansaldo in Rome on 31 January: "'Bin Ladin Is Getting Reorganized; Soon a New 11 September'" -- first two paragraphs are La Repubblica introduction]

"I do not know whether the message comes from Al-Qa'ida or from other groups acting in its name. But the threat of an attack is credible. Indeed, an attack with an even higher profile than 11 September is possible. All Muslims await the good news. That is why they are not taking either British, or French, and certainly not US, flights to go to Mecca right now. I would not be surprised if it fell also to Italy."

Omar Bakri [London-based al-Muhajiroun leader Shaykh Omar Bakri Muhammad] is recognized as Usama Bin Ladin's "unofficial" mouthpiece in Europe -- a job, he said putting up a smoke screen, that "is a privilege which I would like to have." Speaking over the telephone from his London residence, the imam who represents the Saudi multimillionaire was already au fait with the reports disseminated by the news agencies. "The CIA got this information from Arab web sites that report on Islamic activities. In short, they found out about it from the Internet."

[Ansaldo] And is it reasonable to believe in intelligence garnered on the 'Net?

[Bakri] Why not? Muslims surf the great sea of the Internet in order to communicate with one another. It is a technology that is both interesting and a great help.

[Ansaldo] Is the threat serious?

[Bakri] No one can be sure of that. It is impossible to tell if this intelligence is genuine or credible.

[Ansaldo] But was it Al-Qa'ida or not?

[Bakri] I cannot say for sure. But it could have been an organization, or several people, acting in Al-Qa'ida's name or close to it.

[Ansaldo] So?

[Bakri] So the risk needs to be given serious consideration. The possibility of fresh attacks, in Europe as in the United States, or in Indonesia, is highly likely.

[Ansaldo] Are you thinking in terms of a new 11 September?

[Bakri] Much more. Something more lofty, something bigger, with a higher profile than 11 September. Muslims throughout the world are awaiting the good news. My advice is to watch the communications circulating on Arab web sites with great care. I will repeat once again that security measures must be stepped up.

[Ansaldo] Could there be a warning before it takes place?

[Bakri] It is in any case better to be on one's guard.

[Ansaldo] Yes, but 11 September was not like that. Why should it happen now?

[Bakri] It is not a matter of warning. But something might always leak through

[Ansaldo] Imam Bakri, what precautions do your own followers take, for instance?

[Bakri] They do not fly with certain airlines.

[Ansaldo] What does that mean?

[Bakri] It means that in this period when everyone is going to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage, they give their preference to certain airlines over others.

[Ansaldo] Can you give me an example?

[Bakri] It is simple: Our people from here never fly with British, French, or of course US airlines.

[Ansaldo] Is Italy running a risk in all of this?

[Bakri] I would not be surprised if something were to happen in Italy: not outside its borders as happened in al-Nasiriyah, but on its own territory. The attack would be more effective and it would do more damage.

[Ansaldo] But why Italy?

[Bakri] On account of its support for the United States in the occupation of Iraq. That was the turning point. Your country is now being watched very carefully.

[Ansaldo] Are any other countries in danger?

[Bakri] Israel, first and foremost. And then not only France but also Germany. Their lower-key profile over the Iraqi affair certainly will not save them from the possibility of an attack.

http://cobalt.carebridge.org/~tides/TIRR/TIRR.htm#_Omar_Bakri_Warns_of_Islamic_Attack_