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Posted on 09/11/2004 12:09:10 AM PDT by nwctwx
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Thank you Honestly for this link.
Thanx! Doh!
does this mean I shoulda done my own research? ;) double doh! lol
You're welcome. The formatting on this article is "as is" from the OSAC:
Italian Police Find Bomb Photographs on Madrid Terror Suspect's Computer
from FBIS on Friday, September 24, 2004
Article ID: D154130
The following text was translated from the Madrid El Pais (Internet Version-WWW) in Spanish on 24 September 2004:
Rab'i Uthman al-Sayyid alias Mohammed El Egipcio [Mohammed the Egyptian] had on his computer photographs of explosive devices which were set off in exactly the same way as the rucksack bombs used in the 11 March attacks in Madrid, supporting the hypothesis that he was the ideologue and strategist of the Madrid attacks. The Italian authorities have found that the briefcase bomb which appears in a photograph on El Egipcio's personal computer used a mobile phone as a timer and was connected in the same way as the rucksack bomb defused in Vallecas police station. The Italian authorities have handed the evidence seized from El Egipcio's personal computer to the Spanish courts and they have been incorporated into the case being investigated by judge Juan del Olmo. The photograph shows two types of explosive devices. First, a worn dark red executive briefcase, with a particular arrangement of explosives inside. On one side the explosives are introduced under pressure in metallic cylinders, probably aluminium, to which have been screwed three large nuts, both at each end and in the middle. The aim, according to the explosives experts, is to prevent it from moving inside the case and acting as the first shrapnel, causing greater destructive power. The suitcase contains eight cylinders which each contain 200g of explosives and are placed in two groups of three, vertically, while the other two are placed lying down on top of the other pipes. The eight cyinders are connected to mobile phone made by Trium which acts as a timer, just as in the one found in the rucksack bombs used on the death rains on 11 March, as could be seen after the defusing of the bomb found on one of the wagons of the train in El Pozo station. The mechanism is simple, as the terrorists just set the telephone alarm. When it goes off, the current which the alarm generates causes the detonator to be activated and this detonates in the explosive in which it is placed.
http://www.ds-osac.org/view.cfm?KEY=7E4351434055&type=2B170C1E0A3A0F162820
Another good find.
No. It meant I was too lazy to type your answer.
I have spent the last 45 minutes trying to find out who the speakers will be for the October conference. No luck. I cannot access the palestineconference.com website. I don't know if it's my security settings or if the website is down. I did see one site that stated "events, speakers, schedules, etc." to be announced. Well, the conference is about 2 weeks away; time to get their website going. Hmmm.
http://palestineconference.com
It's up.
Thanks. This one is long, so I've snipped portions, but the entire article is relevant.
Iraq held hostage to terror
By Sudha Ramachandran
BANGALORE - While the US, Britain and Italy, whose citizens have been taken hostage, have refused to concede demands of hostage-takers, militant groups have sent out clear signals that they, too, mean business. (snipped)
Hostage-taking has emerged as a powerful "smart weapon" in the Iraqi insurgents' arsenal. However, it does seem that its indiscriminate use could alienate Muslim opinion. This is evident from the response of the Arab world to the abduction in the last week of August of two French journalists, Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot.
The Islamic Army of Iraq that abducted them demanded that France lift a ban on Islamic headscarves in state schools. This is the first time since the kidnapping of foreigners started in Iraq in April that hostage-takers have laid down conditions external to Iraq.
Muslim religious and political leaders who have hitherto maintained silence on the issue of hostage-taking responded sharply to the kidnapping of Malbrunot and Chesnot. Lebanon's senior-most Shi'ite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, described the abduction as "a brutal operation on the human level, a bad one on the Islamic level, and a losing one on the political level". The abductions and their link to the headscarf ban "provokes the ire of Muslim scholars and intellectuals worldwide", Fadlallah said.
Among those who have criticized the abduction of the French journalists are Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Egypt's outlawed Islamist militant group the Muslim Brotherhood, and Syria's Grand Mufti Ahmad Kuftaro.
France was at the forefront of the international opposition to the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. It is seen as a friend of the Arab world. The kidnapping of other Westerners working in Iraq has failed to evoke such a response from the Arab world and this has to do with the fact that their governments are part of the US-led coalition.
While gruesome decapitations of foreign hostages and the hosting of videos of the beheading have generated considerable revulsion among Muslims, especially moderate opinion, denunciations have not been as vociferous as in the case of the French hostages. The general feeling is that the West is outraged over a few executions and gives endless footage to hostages in the media, while the killing of thousands of Iraqis and Palestinians goes by largely ignored. (snipped)
The kidnapping of foreign workers began in April when the al-Saraya Mujahideen (Mujahideen Brigades) took three Japanese and four Italians, one of whom was subsequently killed. The beheading of hostages began a month later. A 26-year-old American, Nick Berg, was abducted and then decapitated. Al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (Unity and Holy War), an Islamist group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and with links to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the beheading.
Since then, al-Tawhid wal-Jihad has claimed responsibility for at least seven other executions of hostages, including Korean translator Kim Sun-il, Bulgarian truck drivers Georgi Lazov and Ivaylo Kepov, and the American contractors, Hensley and Armstrong.
The Islamic Army in Iraq's record on kidnappings is almost as fearsome. It abducted Angelo de la Cruz, the now-freed Filipino hostage; killed an Italian hostage and is now holding two French journalists hostage.
Another group that has been active in the hostage-taking business is Ansar al-Sunna (Followers of the Tradition). It claimed to have murdered an Arab holding US citizenship and captured a US marine of Lebanese origin. It kidnapped 12 Nepalese workers and then executed them. Others include the Holders of the Black Banners, which kidnapped seven truck drivers and then freed them, and the Islamic Movement for Iraq's Mujahideen, which freed a Lebanese hostage in recognition of "his country's resistance against Israel".
The most common condition for release put forward by these groups is that countries to which their hostages belong pull out troops stationed in Iraq, that the companies they work for stop doing business in Iraq or provide services that will result in the stabilization of the US occupation. The groups that are engaged in hostage-taking might all be opposed to the presence of the US-led occupation forces in Iraq, but not all of them are in the kidnapping business for political reasons. Some are mere criminal gangs who have seen the immense possible prospects of profit that hostage-taking holds out. These abduct foreign workers in Iraq, cloaking conditions for their release with political issues. It is money finally that secures the release of the hostages.
The Black Banners demanded that India pull out its troops from Iraq - when India has no troops in Iraq. They then demanded that the employer of the three Indian hostages, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL), halt operations in Iraq. The negotiations to secure the release of the hostages were protracted, not because the issues being discussed were intractable political ones but because of hard wrangling over money. Ultimately, US$500,000 paid by KGL to the kidnappers did the trick and the hostages were released.
It appears that local criminal gangs do the actual kidnapping. The hostages are then sold up the chain to larger militant outfits, which use the hostages as pawns and bargaining chips. Foreign hostages apparently carry a higher price tag.
Many of the abductions in Iraq have been attributed to al-Zarqawi or to "groups with links to al-Zarqawi". This could be because a large number of gangs might be supplying his group with hostages - hence the many groups with "links to al-Zarqawi".
But a more plausible explanation lies in the way Islamist militant groups are evolving post-September 11, 2001. Just as al-Qaeda has groups with links to it, so also al-Zarqawi's al-Tawhid wal-Jihad with outfits in Iraq. Terrorist cells and outfits with links to al-Qaeda have proliferated across the world. What links these groups is a similar outlook and ideology. The al-Qaeda-linked groups act under different names and carry out attacks on their own.
Dia'a Rashwan, an Egyptian expert on militant groups, likens this phenomenon to "McDonald's giving out franchises ... All they have to do is follow the company's manual. They don't consult with headquarters every time they want to produce a meal."
It is possible that the various groups engaged in the kidnapping of foreigners in Iraq are "franchises" of al-Zarqawi's al-Tawhid wal-Jihad. A similar ideology and opposition to the US and its allies bond them. They might even supply one another with hostages. But they act under different names - sometimes very similar names - contributing to the coalition's confusion over the identity of the groups that are taking their citizens hostage. (snipped)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FI25Ak01.html
Thanks Cindy, but, I still can't access it. Must be my firewall. Arggggg. Did you cruise the site at all? Do you know if they list the speakers?
China lashes out at US for support of 'terrorists'
ISN SECURITY WATCH (24/09/04) - China has protested the formation of the “East Turkistan Government in Exile” in Washington comprised of exiles from China’s Xinjiang region, which Beijing describes as terrorists. “East Turkistan forces are terrorist organizations and we oppose them. We have already [protested] to the US side and hope that the US government will seriously consider our concerns," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters. China claims that some Uyghur nationals are members of East Turkistan terrorist groups, who are seeking to separate China’s oil-rich northwestern province of Xinjiang from the rest of the country. The head of the government in exile is Anwar Yusuf Turani, who heads a Uighur separatist group known as the East Turkistan National Freedom Center, said Epoch news, a website run by dissident Chinese. (snipped)
New York Times reporter arrested in Beijing
ISN SECURITY WATCH (24/09/04) - Chinese authorities in Beijing have arrested a researcher for The New York Times daily on suspicion that he had leaked information about the pending resignation of the powerful Jiang Zemin from China’s Central Military Commission. State security agents arrested Chinese reporter Zhao Yan on 17 September. Two days later, Jiang resigned from the Central Military Commission, naming his deputy, President and Communist Party chief Hu Jintao, as his successor. The New York Times had quoted unnamed sources on 7 September as saying that Jiang would step down and hand over the reigns to Hu - well before the decision was announced during the Communist Party’s annual meeting on 19 September. According to The New York Times, Zhao was accused of illegally divulging state secrets to foreigners. (snipped)
http://www.isn.ethz.ch/infoservice/secwatch/index.cfm?parent=news&menu=1#9765
Yes, hmmm is right.
So they just don't want to attract any attention at all by letting on who is speaking, I suppose.
That sure looks like it could be it. Good find.
Briton denies plot to bomb plane
From correspondents in London
September 24, 2004
A BRITISH man accused of plotting to bomb an airplane pleaded innocent today.
Sajid Badat, 25, appeared at the Old Bailey court by video link from Woodhill prison. He was ordered to be held without bail until his trial starts next year.
Authorities had earlier accused Badat, of Gloucester, western England, of working with Richard Reid, an al-Qaeda follower who tried to detonate shoe bombs aboard a US airliner.
The formal charge against him did not mention Reid, who was convicted of trying to set off explosives on an American Airlines Paris-to-Miami flight in December 2001.
Prosecutors alleged that "between January 1, 1999, and November 28, 2003, (Badat) conspired with another or others to place or cause to be placed on an aircraft in service a device or substance which was likely to destroy the aircraft, or was likely so to damage it as to render it incapable of flight".
He was also accused of possessing an explosive consisting of two pieces of safety fuse, a length of detonating cord and a quantity of the explosive PETN with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.
He pleaded innocent to both charges.
Badat was arrested at his home in Gloucester on November 27, 2003, and police who searched the home said they had found explosive materials.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10871174%255E1702,00.html
Terror suspect arrested at airport (Wam) 25 September 2004
ABU DHABI The UAE security forces at Abu Dhabi International Airport arrested here yesterday Abdul Aziz Khalid, a Sudanese national, upon arrival from Cairo.
Khalid was arrested on the basis of a notice issued by Interpol, accusing him of committing terrorist acts in Sudan.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2004/September/theuae_September509.xml§ion=theuae
If that isn't the same location, I'd be surprised. Sure looks like a match to me.
Man charged as Taliban recruiter
From correspondents in Washington
24sep04
A MAN living near Washington, Ali Al-Timimi, has been charged by US prosecutors for encouraging up to five other men to join the Taliban in Afghanistan in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.
A federal grand jury indictment released by the US Attorney for Alexandria, Virginia, today, says Al-Timimi encouraged the men to join the Taliban in Afghanistan shortly before the US invasion of the country following the September 11 attacks.
"Al-Timimi is charged with counselling others to engage in a conspiracy to levy war against the United States, aid the Taliban, violate the Neutrality Act and use firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence," according to a statement from government prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Al-Timimi effectively counselled others to take up arms against the US.
Al-Timimi, 40, of Fairfax, Virginia, was the primary lecturer at the Dar al Arqam Islamic Centre, also known as the Centre for Islamic Information and Education, until September 11, 2001 according to prosecutors.
He faces six charges and is due to appear in court on October 1 before Judge Leonie Brinkema. She is the same judge trying Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person charged in the United States in connection with the September 11 attacks.
The charges against Al-Timimi allege he helped Masoud Khan, Randall Royer, Yong Kwon, Muhammad Aatique and Khwaja Hasan "and others to conspire to levy war against the United States".
Royer, Kwon, Aatique and Hasan have pleaded guilty to other charges while Khan has been convicted on various terrorism-related charges.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10864047%255E1702,00.html
Ohio Imam Gets Two Months in Prison
AKRON, Ohio - The leader of Ohio's largest mosque was sentenced Monday to two months in federal prison and four months of house arrest for lying about his connections to terrorist groups when he applied for U.S. citizenship.
Palestinian-born Fawaz Damra, imam of the Islamic Center of Cleveland, could have received up to five years in prison on the charge of obtaining U.S. citizenship in 1994 by providing false information.
Sentencing guidelines for first-time offenders called for probation to six months in prison.
Prosecutors had requested the maximum sentence. U.S. District Judge James S. Gwin did not comment on why he opted for the lesser sentence.
Prosecutors also urged Gwin to immediately revoke Damra's citizenship, but Damra's attorneys asked him Gwin not to void Damra's U.S. citizenship until after the appeal, which could take years. Gwin did not immediately rule on the question or on whether Damra should be deported. Prosecutors say the law requires deportation for such a crime. (snipped)
http://www.terrorism.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=39064&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
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