Al Qaeda again threatens America (Thread 3) Daily Terror Threat

World Tribune ^ | Thursday, February 5, 2004

[Mossad1967]

SANAA, Yemen, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A purported statement by al-Qaida in Yemen warned Saturday of a "major strike" soon in the United States.

The statement, distributed by the Yemeni Tagamoo Party for Reforms, said: "A major strike, a big event will take place in America soon," reminiscent of the Sept. 11 attacks.

---

Previous threads

[Oorang]

Found it. White powder at the P.O. Authorities say it was not ricin. news14.com

[NothingMan]

Hi All,

I slept off my bug, and as we have a new thread here, I guess I missed some posts. Sorry about that. I am so far behind I may not be able to keep up with this thread for too long . . . so I cut and pasted a Friday "document dump" and maybe someone can play "connect the dots" if they are interested. I would have just posted the links, but the sites have long documents and I am just pulling the relevant sections or articles. I probably won't do this again, but since I have had the benefit of perusing some of the material posted here, I thought I'd return the favor (albeit all at once) . . . you have to read all of this if you want to "put it all together" . . . I'll post the other articles in a bit . . . 

I did catch a post questioning who besides China is an offensive nuclear threat. At the risk of appearing to be some trenchcoat-wearing shadowy source blowing smoke in some underground garage a la "All the President's Men" I'd say . . ."follow the weapons" (missiles and WMD)  . . . the threat from Iraq may have been more imminent than the world will ever know . . and the threat posed by Iran and North Korea is not properly appreciated by most . . .

I was not exaggerating when I say this is the most dangerous time in modern American history. . .

Yes, Russia is cozy with Iran, but they are not the *hub* of the axis.

If you stand back, the forest can be seen through the trees.

North Korea, Iran, Iraq . . . (where have we heard those three names before?)

"Things to watch in coming months"

Watch the Khan thing unravel in Pakistan and see where it goes

Watch the connections with ISI and AQ come into clearer focus

Watch the timing of 1998 AQ "nuclear fatwa" and Pakistan going nuclear

Watch who facilitated the North Korean-Pakistani transfers.  

Watch the development of new North Korean Taepo-Dong (TD-3) ICBMs

Watch the similarity of the TD-3 to the Chinese Dong-Feng ICBM

Watch contingents of North Koreans working years at Iranian missile facilities

Watch evidence emerge that Iraq was trying to buy a North Korean ICBM

Watch the unraveling web unearth covert uranium programs of Iran and North Korea

Fired from North Korea, the TD-2 can hit everything west of a line from Chicago down to El Paso, and the TD-3 (three-stage TD-2) can hit all of US. Fired from Iran or Iraq, the TD-2 can hit east coast cities, TD-3 would cover most of  US

missiles or martyrs . . . six of one a half dozen of the other . . .

From the 2001 NIE released days before the "axis of evil" speech . . .

"Most Intelligence Community agencies project that before 2015 the United States most likely will face ICBM threats from North Korea and Iran, and possibly from Iraq—barring significant changes in their political orientations—in addition to the longstanding missile forces of Russia and China." 

North Korea . . .

"The Taepo Dong-2 in a two-stage ballistic missile configuration could deliver a several-hundred-kg payload up to 10,000 km—sufficient to strike Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of the continental United States.  If the North uses a third stage similar to the one used on the Taepo Dong-1 in 1998 in a ballistic missile configuration, then the Taepo Dong-2 could deliver a several-hundred-kg payload up to 15,000 km—sufficient to strike all of North America.  A Taepo Dong-2 flight test probably would be conducted as an SLV with a third stage to place a small payload into the same orbit the North Koreans tried to achieve in 1998. "

Iran . . .

"All agencies agree that Iran could attempt to launch an ICBM/SLV about mid-decade, although most agencies believe Iran is likely to take until the last half of the decade to do so.  One agency further judges that Iran is unlikely to achieve a successful test of an ICBM before 2015.
Iranian acquisition of complete systems or major subsystems—such as North Korean TD-2 or Russian engines—could accelerate its capability to flight-test an ICBM/SLV.

If Iran were to acquire complete TD-2 systems from North Korea, it could conduct a flight test within a year of delivery, allowing time to construct a launch facility.  Iran is unlikely to acquire complete ICBM/SLV systems from Russia."

Iraq . . .

"After observing North Korean missile developments the past few years, Iraq would be more likely to pursue a three-stage TD-2 approach to an SLV or ICBM, which would be capable of delivering a nuclear weapon-sized payload to the United States.  Some postulations for potential Iraqi ICBM/SLV concepts and timelines from the beginning of UN prohibition relief include: 

If Iraq could buy a TD-2 from North Korea, it could have a launch capability within a year or two of a purchase.

It could develop and test a TD-1-type system within a few years.

If it acquired No Dongs from North Korea, it could test an ICBM within a few years of acquisition by clustering and staging the No Dongs—similar to the clustering of Scuds for the Al Abid SLV.

If Iraq bought TD-2 engines, it could test an ICBM within about five years of the acquisition."

- - from the National Intelligence Estimate, (unclassified) December 2001 (CIA website)

[JustPiper]

February 6, 2004

Douglas-- A mysterious investigation at a South Georgia truck stop lasts all night and well into Friday morning. GBI agents won't say what they're investigating, but we do know they've been guarding a truck at a quick-change mart.

A store worker says agents called to find out if a truck matching it's description was parked behind the store. When she told them yes, they were on their way.

A couple of hours later, witnesses say a man pulled up in this car. When he tried to get in the truck, GBI agents took him into custody.

The FBI along with a bomb tech squad from Savannah was called in to assist the GBI with the situation.

We'll keep following this story and have more on it as it develops.

12 posted on 02/06/2004 11:06:40 AM CST by TomGuy

[swarthyguy]

Here's a new wrinkle from the DEBKA guys. Things just got a little more squirrelly....

What the handout did not reveal was that Raad is no ordinary coastal or shipboard projectile but a cruise missile, capable of halting Personal Gulf shipping by blockading the Hormuz Strait. It can also choke off incoming and outgoing sea traffic via the Shatt al-Arb, Iraq’s only exit point for its oil exports and entrance for its vital imports.

DEBKA-Net-Weekly ’s Gulf sources report launching bases for the new missiles are going up at four places on Iran’s Gulf coast: the northern end at Bandar a-Khomeini opposite the mouth of the Shatt al Arb and facing Kuwait and Bahrain, at Bushehr, site of its nuclear reactor, at the big Bandar Abbas naval base and Revolutionary Guards headquarters, and at Bandar e-Lengeh west of Qeshm Island.

From these installations, Iranian missiles will cover the tanker and merchant ship lanes leading into the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean through the Gulf of Aden.

A fifth launching base will be located on the small highly-strategic island of Great Tumb situated just north of the Hormuz Strait at the mouth of the Gulf.

According to our military experts, the locations of the new Raad missile bases betray both aggressive intent and determination to defend Iran’s Gulf shore from assault by warships or hostile marine landings. Iran’s military command appears to be preparing the country’s national defenses for an anticipated American attack in the course of 2004 or early 2005.

[Oorang]

Many thanks for that post. Your efforts and updates are appreciated.

[SCR1]

Anothr interesting development with regards to the Senate Ricin investigation. No envelope or package has been found to have contained the Ricin. This means that it may not have been MAILED. The investigation is still fluid, but the implications are that there possibbly was a security breach and the poison was placed.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/06/ricin.senate.ap/index.html

[JustPiper]

Ping!

[Mossad1967]

So sorry my dear friend!!!

[milkncookies]

I'm not sure but unless you plan to sell the shirts I don't think you need to worry.

[TexKat]

That article in my post #214 is dated March 3, 2003 Cal.

Another oldie but goodie

KHATTAB IS FORMING MILITANT GROUPS TO SEND AFGHANISTAN

One of the Chechen separatist leaders, Jordanian-born Khattab is forming militant groups to send Afghanistan. These groups will mainly consist of Chechens. Our Commentary is by Oleg Nikolaev.

Russia has intelligence that the backbone of the group consists of Shamil Basaev's militants. These militants are expected to leave for Afghanistan shortly. The first group has already left for Afghanistan through Azerbaijan and Turkey to prepare shelter for the militants followed by. All this is done by an agreement reached with the Taleban, consequently with bin Laden's knowledge and approval. Reportedly, from 600 to 800 Chechen mercenaries are now in Afghanistan. Some of them serve as bodyguards to the most wanted terrorist bin Laden. The rest is under the Juma Namagani who commands them and the militants of the Uzbek Islamic movement. It's unclear how the Chechen mercenaries will be distributed but, reportedly, the Taleban command plans to use them as non-commissioned officers to head small militant groups.

Though there is nothing sensational in the report, it is interesting itself since it once again confirms the fact that Chechen separatists, the Taleban and Al Queda headed by bin Laden are integral parts of a single terrorist network enmeshed in the world. The deployment of Chechen militants in Afghanistan is just the regrouping of force started by the international terrorist leaders.

Recruiting mercenaries is also playing according to market-oriented rules. Mercenaries go to the place where they are paid better. Currently, Taleban, Al Queda and bin Laden and other terrorist centres have focused on Afghanistan. Since the financing of Chechen militants has reduced, these so-called fighters for Chechnya's freedom prefer to go to Afghanistan where they are paid much better.

10.29.2001

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Yes. I am sickened. Tears and prayers offered for Carlie and her family since I first heard. The amount and level of evil our society tolerates is unbelievable. :(

[JustPiper]

LOL! Would it not be nice to see a pharmeceutical company just name a numb pill that?

[NothingMan]

Good catch.

The threat is directed at us. But not just in the Gulf.
DPRK has done this as a tactic as well.

The Rumsfeld Commission in 1998 identified cruise missiles (and UAVs) as a potential threat to the homeland (launched from a barge of other craft just off the US coast).

High stakes poker. Very high stakes.

[NothingMan]

from the 1998 "Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States " (aka "The Rumsfeld Commission")

(6 years ago)



II. Executive Summary

A. Conclusions of the Commissioners

The nine Commissioners are unanimous in concluding that:

* Concerted efforts by a number of overtly or potentially hostile
nations to acquire ballistic missiles with biological or nuclear
payloads pose a growing threat to the United States, its deployed
forces and its friends and allies. These newer, developing threats in
North Korea, Iran and Iraq are in addition to those still posed by the
existing ballistic missile arsenals of Russia and China, nations with
which the United States is not now in conflict but which remain in
uncertain transitions. The newer ballistic missile-equipped nations'
capabilities will not match those of U.S. systems for accuracy or
reliability. However, they would be able to inflict major destruction
on the U.S. within about five years of a decision to acquire such a
capability (10 years in the case of Iraq). During several of those
years, the U.S. might not be aware that such a decision had been made.

* The threat to the U.S. posed by these emerging capabilities is
broader, more mature and evolving more rapidly than has been reported
in estimates and reports by the Intelligence Community.

* The Intelligence Community's ability to provide timely and accurate
estimates of ballistic missile threats to the U.S. is eroding. This
erosion has roots both within and beyond the intelligence process
itself. The Community's capabilities in this area need to be
strengthened in terms of both resources and methodology.

* The warning times the U.S. can expect of new, threatening ballistic
missile deployments are being reduced. Under some plausible
scenarios--including re-basing or transfer of operational missiles,
sea- and air-launch options, shortened development programs that might
include testing in a third country, or some combination of these--the
U.S. might well have little or no warning before operational
deployment.

Therefore, we unanimously recommend that U.S. analyses, practices and
policies that depend on expectations of extended warning of deployment be
reviewed and, as appropriate, revised to reflect the reality of an
environment in which there may be little or no warning.



http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/rumsfeld/execsum.htm

[JustPiper]

gotchya ;)

[JustPiper]

okey doke, first time I'm adding names in 6 months ;)

[JustPiper]

Thank you {tears} and Amen!

[Labyrinthos]

Re Post No 6706 on Thread II:

You sure know how to waste your time complaining about something that know one here cares about. The fact of the matter is that no one here believes %100 percent that Bin Laden is in custody. Some of us believe it more....some less. I bet you that even Sean would not tell you it is not %100.

Who made you king of the day to speak on behalf of the hundreds of people who have posted here since November, 2003? This is not the Democratic party where we are all required to think exactly alike on every issue, at the risk of being personally attacked for deviating from the party line.

For your information, SOL, in fact, stated without qualification that OBL is in custody:

"Are you so daft that you cannot see the sudden string of very, very high-level arrests in the mideast, from Iraq to Pakistan, some very high level al-Qaeda operatives have been falling into US hands. This is unprecidented. It is a certain indication that we do indeed have alQaeda's Mr. Big because the knowledge of the upper level of AQ network would be known to Osama and and al-Zawahiri. There was a further confirmation from another source that Osama is indeed in custody. He's probably so durgged up on sodium pentathol that he believes he is speaking directly to "allah". He's singing like a canary and our forces along with the people of the world are reaping the benefits of this intelligence bonanza. The only one lying here is yourself. You are pathetic. I wish Free Republic had an "ignore" button because you would be the very first person to earn that distinction here."

See Thread II, Post No. 14829.

That to me sounds like a person who is 100% certain of the accuracy of what he's stating -- not as an opinion -- but as a fact. Because SOL apparently has professional experience, credentials, and contacts in the intelligence business and runs a website with an offical sounding name, he has a responsibility -- in my view -- to distinguish between uncontrovertible facts, and opinion, conjecture, and speculation, so as not to mislead or confuse those who value his thoughts and perspective. Now why should SOL be judged by such a high standard? Because he has held himself out as an expert on terrorsim and intelligence and as a result, he has put himself into a position where caution and accuracy are warranted.

[JustPiper]

I wonder if we aren't correctly interpreting "US targets" and the like...these targets could be any where in the world, not necessarily on US soil.

Bingo! I agree!

[labolarueda]

"Fortunately the video files are so large that combined with the aftermath of the virus attack they have been almost impossible to download for most people. The file sizes are huge. Most of the actual links are not functioning."

This may explain the reason I wasn't able to view the video. Do you any idea on the file size?

Thanks