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OPINION: Well, yes and no.
It's not real common to see these guys pop up, but just like our American jihadis; they exist.
Thanks JP.
Another day of rhetoric for the PA.
It's Jewish New Year for the Jews.
ON THE NET...
PALESTINIAN MEDIA WATCH
http://www.pmw.org.il/
Pelosi has her priorities.
I can't say I understand her or her politics.
Bookmarking for later reading
Thanks MamaDearest. I needed those updates.
Explosive munitions on flight to US
By Michael Weissenstein in New York
15sep04
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10772717%255E1702,00.html
Honestly, I am stunned that Marshall was let go so easily by PAPD. Thanks for the article and link.
It seems that things have leveled off again over the past few days. However, our enemies can and will attack us IF we let our defenses down. Let me know if you want on or off the Ping list.
Current National Homeland Defense threat level is YELLOW
9/16/04 Local Threat Level ORANGE for NYC, N. New Jersey, D.C No Change since 8/1/04
1. Attack threat windows
9/16/04 Primary Window: We are now 47 days away from election day and if AQ is intending to attack before Nov 2, their window of opportunity is rapidly closing. If they have their ducks in a row, they could be waiting the scheduled time. However, if we’ve been able to disrupt planning and timing, they may become more desperate to strike before the end of the window. However, AQ has shown great discipline in attacking when it suits them and is not too constrained by actual time frames and dates.
9/16/04 A tip on about 9/8 through DHS referred to a Sept. 24 to Oct. 10 window for a potential attack in NYC using a fuel truck. I am maintaining this warning as a sub-window to the primary window.
Secondary window: (9/16/04) This window could potentially be extended to Inauguration Day in January 2005. I would consider this period a high risk for potential assassination attempts on the new administration, especially if Bush wins reelection.
2. Attack Indicators
9/16/04 There is still anticipation of an OBL video/audio tape to soon appear. The absence of his presence in the Sep 10 tape has raised a lot of speculation. The speculation in media and internet has ranged from he dead or captured and AQ wants to keep it covered up to he is under intense pressure by troops hunting him to he is waiting to give the GO order publicly. I’ve seen no reports regarding terrorist related chatter for some time now.
3. Current Terrorist Operations
N. Korea
9/16/04 Britain's ambassador to North Korea traveled Thursday to the site of a massive explosion to verify claims by the North that the blast wasn't caused by a nuclear test, an embassy official said. No word yet of what was observed. It is questionable if this trip will yield any positive results since the ambassador will see just what the N. Koreans want him to see.
Godzilla additional comments: I’ve put a fork in the seismic evidence info. Basically the available seismic data does not support a nuke explosion and is VERY weak regarding a conventional explosion. S. Korean has finally expressed this opinion as in the following article:
http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20040913/topstories/143525.shtml
“Details of the blast, which came amid increasing concerns in U.S. intelligence circles in recent weeks that North Korea was about to conduct a nuclear test, remained sketchy. But South Korean officials said they recorded none of the seismic activity that likely would accompany a nuclear test.
I have been unable to access the images of the blast site collected by a S. Korean satellite, so if some one has an alternative link, please let me know.
Netherlands
9/16/04 Nothing new regarding the recent arrests of terror suspects.
Iraq
9/16/04 Two Americans and a Briton were kidnapped in Baghdad today. These are the most recent of over 100 kidnappings that have recently occurred.
The uptick in terror and attacks in the Baghdad and Sunni Triangle has been observed to operate on an approximate 3-4 month cycle. Some have also noted that the intensity and duration of these attacks have progressively decreased. This is evidenced by the fact that only two police stations were attacked whereas over a dozen were attacked in the last cycle. Only one pipeline strike vs. multiple ones before, etc. I think this indicates that Coalition forces are having greater success in attriting terrorist forces as well as reducing the amount of material available to conduct these attacks. This is a slow and messy business, but it is working. Also note that Al-Sadr has been very quiet this cycle after collaborating on the previous cycle. This is probably due to his abortive uprising started when the head Shiite leader was in England for heart problems (when the cat’s away syndrome). I also suspect that sealing Fallouja off from the rest of Iraq is also helping along with consistent air strikes against safe houses.
France/Iraq
9/16/04 The Islamic Army of Iraq, which is holding two French journalists hostage in Iraq, said that France is an "enemy of Muslims.” Their statement can be found at http://iaminiraq.tripod.com. The site lists crimes against Islam and Moslems that need to be rectified. This is interesting given that the French have bent over backwards to appease the kidnappers. This reminds me of the political cartoon recently of a Frenchman facing beheading at the hands of a terrorist saying ‘But we supported you against the Americans’ to which the terrorist replied ‘but what have you done for me today, Infidel?’
Italy
9/16/04 Still on heighten alert due to threats by Ansar al-Zawahiri group.
Afghanistan
9/16/04 Continued guerrilla attacks against coalition forces as Taliban/AQ try to disrupt the upcoming October 9th National Elections.
9/16/04 Assassins fired a rocket at Afghan President Hamid Karzai helicopter was preparing to land in Gardez, 60 miles south of Kabul. The rocket missed and the aircraft immediately turned around and returned to Kabul.
Pakistan
9/16/04 Recent news reports have expanded upon the expanded black market activities of Khan, the ‘father of the Pakistani bomb’. These affiliated activities seem to include chemical as well as biological weapons.
9/16/04 Pervez Musharraf reportedly will continue to be army chief and president, despite a previous agreement.
Israel
9/16/04 Israel and Russia have begun to work much more closely together following the series of attacks in Russia. Speculation that I’ve seen seems to suggest that Israel’s cooperation may hinge on Russia looking the other way when/if Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear facilities. Russia has been a close supporter of Iran, however, Iran is a willing partner in supporting terror, even the groups that recently attacked Russia. Russia knows who helped bite their hand.
9/16/04 Israeli news sources report that IDF stopped two suicide bombing attacks recently.
Syria/Sudan
9/15/04 German news sources reported that Syria tested chemical weapons on civilians in Sudan’s Dafur in June, killing dozens. The United States expressed skepticism about the report saying that such a test would have been noticed by American agencies. There has been a lot of rumor regarding Syria being the recipient of Saddam’s WMDs. It would not be beyond belief that they tested these weapons in Sudan, where the international community has looked the other way at the genocide occurring there over the past years. Also, do not forget the foiled WMD attack on Jordan where the materials came from Syria. A Sudan test could be a precursor to uses against Israel.
Indonesia
9/16/04 No significant change in status. The country is still on alert for additional attacks by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and other similar terrorist groups. Indonesia will hold a presidential runoff election on September 20, 2004 and these attacks are timed to influence/disrupt these elections.
9/16/04 There has been no further word on the reported plot by terrorists to capture and blow up a tanker.
Australia
9/16/04 The country is still tense following the bombing in Jakarta, Indonesia and reports that a second suicide bombing team is on the loose.
Saudi Arabia
9/15/04 A suspected terrorist in the Saudi capital Riyadh murdered A British worker.
Iran
9/16/04 Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) continued major exercises called "Great Manoeuvre of Ashura" involving 12 divisions. This is also reported to be the 12th exercise in the past 18 months.
9/16/04 The US is reported to be pushing for the United Nations nuclear agency to adopt a resolution that would set an October 31 deadline for Tehran to end its uranium enrichment and allow unrestricted access to all sites. This has run into some opposition from France, Germany and Britain, who are recommending a November deadline for Iran to fully disclose the nature of its nuclear program.
Russia
9/16/04 A Chechen man was arrested Wednesday carrying a homemade bomb in the south of Moscow. The individual is reported to be, a 26-year-old from the Chechnya capital, Grozny and was found to have in his possession of a cardboard box containing a small amount of the powder explosive ammonite, a power supply and a home-made detonator.
9/15/04 Russia working more closely with Israel following recent attack that have killed hundreds.
9/14/04 The United States and Russia carried out a secret operation last week to remove weapons-grade uranium from the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is facing growing Islamist unrest and the action was taken to secure the materials and prevent them from getting into the hands of terrorists.
England
9/14/04 Nothing new to report.
Central America
9/15/04 Increasing focus upon the potential that al-Qaida operatives could be entering the US using well-worn smuggling routes along the Mexican border. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed had a keen interest in smuggling al-Qaida operatives across the Mexican border, although it is uncertain if he was successful or not. Security operations between US and Mexico have reportedly been enhanced and cooperation increased. A developing concern is that terrorists will / are using South America as a launching pad to slip into Mexico and ultimately the United States, using smuggling rings or forged documents. Islamic terrorist groups have reportedly been using the tri-border area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay as a base for fund raising and recruiting.
Godzilla additional comment: What is additionally interesting about this is the AQ link now to narco-terrorists. What makes this interesting is that when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, poppy production was drastically reduced. I wonder how AQ/Wahannibism is reconciling to narcotics/drugs trafficking?
United States
9/18/04 It continues to be assumed that AQ has entered a pre-attack phase with the orders and blessing already issued by OBL. Media is making it clear that we are still a target rich environment for attacks like that which occurred in Russia.
More concerns about terrorist infiltration along the border with Mexico, particularly in view of AQ contacts with narco-terrorist organizations.
4. Attack method.
9/16/04 As has been discussed on TM and other places, the method of choice of AQ are bombs - the bigger the better. With the exception of 9/11, car/truck bombs have been widely used. 9/11 and the recent attacks in Russia do indicate that AQ can think out of the box and adapt its tactics to the group actually carrying out the attack(s). Also of concern are assassinations and kidnappings.
5. Personnel
9/16/04 A 10-count grand jury indictment handed up in federal district court in Miami charges Adhan Amin Hassoun and Mohamed Hesham Youssef with providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to provide support. They are alleged to have recruited Jose Padilla, the alleged dirty bomber.
6. Significant meetings canceled:
9/16/04 No new cancellations.
7. Security has been heightened in specific cities
9/16/04 No significant change since 8/11/04. NYC, N. NJ and D.C. are still at threat level ORANGE and DHS continues to review the threat towards these potential targets daily. Specifically identified targets include the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in D.C.; Prudential Financial in Northern New Jersey; and Citigroup buildings and the New York Stock Exchange in New York. I don’t look for any change in the status of these locations until after the inauguration.
GENERAL: Ongoing work to upgrade security at sea ports and airports.
8. Military operations.
9/16/04 The US on Wednesday ordered the deployment of approximately 700 members of the 82nd Airborne Division to Afghanistan in support of upcoming national elections. The unit is probably the current Division Ready Force Number one Battalion task force(DRF-1). This battalion task force is on an 18-hour ‘wheels up’ standby with everything necessary for combat packed up and ready to load into transport aircraft. It is anticipated that the unit will remain there until some time after October 9, national Election Day. This is definitely a move to bolster confidence in the Afghani people for the elections.
9/16/04 4 carrier groups deployed, 1 is on standby and preparing for October deployment (Abraham Lincoln), 3 back in port and 4 under going maintenance.
8/31/04 The F-117s are still deployed in S. Korea.
9. Dept of Homeland Scty. / State Department
9/14/04 The State Department has issued an updated travel warning for Nepal. This warning the result of anti-Moslem rioting following the murder of Nepalese truck drivers in Iraq. Some of this anger could be redirected to Americans as the cause of the conflict in Iraq.
10. Suspicious Domestic Incidents Not Currently Linked to Specific Terrorism Attempts
9/16/04 There have been a growing number of suspicious packages left in various places. I’m not sure if the increase in reporting is the result of a greater sensitivity to Madrid-like terrorist bombings and a corresponding increase in reporting or an actual increase in incidents. So far all suspicious packages have been inert.
GREAT JOB, AS ALWAYS.
Thanks tons.
THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXACT QUOTE:
===
===
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2004/September/04_crm_625.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004
WWW.USDOJ.GOV
CRM
(202) 514-2008
TDD (202) 514-1888
TWO DEFENDANTS CHARGED IN FLORIDA WITH PROVIDING
MATERIAL SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General John Ashcroft, Assistant Attorney General Christopher A. Wray of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Marcos Daniel Jiménez of the Southern District of Florida, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III and Michael J. Garcia, the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced today that a federal grand jury in Miami has indicted two individuals on charges of providing material support to terrorist activities overseas.
The 10-count superseding indictment returned today charges Adham Amin Hassoun, a/k/a “Abu Sayyaf,” and Mohamed Hesham Youssef, a/k/a/ “Abu Turab,” with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 2339A and 371, and providing material support, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2339A.
Today’s indictment includes eight additional counts against Hassoun, a Palestinian national living in Florida, on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, making false statements, perjury and obstruction of immigration court proceedings. Hassoun is currently in custody on these prior charges. Youssef is in custody in Egypt serving a sentence for other terrorist activities.
The indictment alleges that Hassoun engaged in recruiting and fundraising to send individuals, including Youssef and an unnamed, unindicted co-conspirator, to overseas conflicts for the purposes of fighting jihad and supporting a terrorist agenda. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to and did provide material support to terrorists for violent jihad in specific locations outside the United States - all for the purpose of opposing existing governments and civilian factions and establishing states under strict Islamic law, or Sharia.
As part of the conspiracy, Hassoun allegedly wrote a series of checks over several years - from 1994 to late 2001 - to unindicted co-conspirators and organizations including the Holy Land Foundation and the Global Relief Foundation, to be used to support violent jihad. Both organizations have alleged ties to terrorism financing. In July 2004, the Holy Land Foundation and seven of its leaders were indicted on charges of providing material support to Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization. The Treasury Department has designated the Global Relief Foundation as an organization that funneled money for terrorist-related activities.
According to the indictment, the defendants also participated in a series of coded conversations from 1996 through 2000 suggesting participation in violent jihad in Somalia, Kosovo, Chechnya and Afghanistan. For example, during one such coded conversation in September 1996, Youssef, who was in Egypt, allegedly told Hassoun that he was “ready for trade immediately,” and Hassoun responded: “by God, there is now trade in Somalia... get yourself ready to go down there to see,” and clarified that “there is jihad” in Somalia.
The indictment further alleges that Hassoun supported the travel and jihad training of an unindicted co-conspirator, a U.S. citizen who allegedly “went to the area of Usama,” according to a September 2000 conversation between Hassoun and Youssef.
“This indictment alleges that an individual living here in the United States, enjoying all the freedoms that our society has to offer, was secretly plotting to support murder and terror being perpetrated by violent jihadists overseas,” said Attorney General John Ashcroft. “It is imperative that our government, through vigorous investigation and prosecution, remove the threat posed by those who would support such terrorist activities.”
“This case highlights one of the most important aspects of the Department’s role in the war on terrorism: the ability to use information gathered through intelligence methods along with information from traditional law enforcement methods to build a comprehensive criminal prosecution in the national security context,” said Assistant Attorney General Wray. “Because the ‘wall’ that restricted such information sharing in the past has been torn down since September 11, prosecutors were able to piece together the full scope of the alleged violent jihad conspiracy and present these charges in a court of law.”
“This case underscores our commitment to dismantle, disrupt, and bring to justice terrorists and those who support them,” said U.S. Attorney Jiménez. “This prosecution is a significant part of our ongoing efforts to weed out terrorists and their supporters in South Florida. The public should rest assured that we are working very hard to protect our communities from the threats posed by terrorists and their organizations.”
FBI Director Mueller said, “The success of this case can be attributed to three things, an investigative strategy that integrates the use of intelligence and criminal tools to disrupt terrorism-related activities, a high level of coordination with our partners, and a continued commitment to follow every terrorism lead to its conclusion. I commend all who contributed to this investigation for their efforts.”
“Today’s indictment demonstrates what can be achieved when law enforcement
agencies combine their unique legal authorities into a unified campaign against terrorism. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are proud to have contributed their immigration expertise and resources to this Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation," said Assistant Secretary Garcia.
The previous indictments charging Hassoun allege that he lied to Department of Homeland Security and FBI agents investigating his activities in recruiting and fundraising for violent jihad activities, and that he also made false statements to the immigration judge who was conducting Hassoun’s immigration proceedings. The indictment alleges, for example, that Hassoun perjured himself concerning the foreign travel of an unindicted co-conspirator for the purpose of fighting in a violent jihad, and that he lied when he denied speaking in coded language while discussing jihad activities. The firearm charge alleges that Hassoun, a non-immigrant alien, was illegally in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 millimeter pistol on or about June 12, 2002.
If convicted, Hassoun and Youssef face maximum statutory penalties of 15 years in prison on the conspiracy to provide material support charge, and 15 years on the material support charge. Hassoun also faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the firearm charge and five years on each of the false statement, perjury and obstruction of justice charges.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell R. Killinger and Trial Attorney Stephanie K. Pell of the Counterterrorism Section at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###
04-625
China says it protects it's citizens religious rights in accordance with the law
Decreases in wars, arms sales and refugees
Pro-Chechnya website ignites scandal
Read this as you enjoy your imported fruit!
Off topic but interesting:
Pope says sex is not only good, but holy
also off topic, but of interest:
Norway attorney wants age of consent lowered from 16 to 14 to go with modern times
Norway making it harder for foreigners to get airport jobs
Terror alert as mysterious Iranian-Iraqi described men photograph airport train in Norway
You're very welcome. I am always amazed at how much we see reported right here at FR - TM and NEVER see on the news or hear on the radio.
What an interesting summary Mama Dearest.
I'm going to check some of those links.
Anyone hear anything about all flights being grounded at Logan? Just received a call from a friend waiting on a flight who says she was just told this. The weatehr appears fine in Boston.
No idea. My friend is actually on the tarmac at Reagan National waiting to takeoff. Apparently the passengers were told all flights had been grounded at Logan and to expect an hour delay.
booked
I tried accessing the TurkishObserver the other day and I got an immediate shutdown of my computer. Reading the news every day can be hazardous to your continuous web-surfing (at least on that site). I'm not as brave as you are as far as websites go.
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