Homeland Security agency faulted for terrorist watch list woes
http://www.computerworld.com/governmenttopics/government/story/0,10801,96451,00.html
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OCTOBER 06, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Three years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is still not doing enough to consolidate terrorist watch lists to help law enforcement authorities monitor and apprehend known terrorists.
That's the conclusion of a 47-page report, issued last Friday by the Office of the Inspector General within the DHS, that criticizes the agency for "not playing a lead role" in consolidating terrorist watch list information," despite the fact that the DHS was given such responsibilities when it was created in 2002.
In fact, information for a consolidated terrorist watch list is still being compiled and handled by the same agencies that performed that task before the DHS existed, according to the report, "DHS Challenges in Consolidating Terrorist Watch List Information," (download PDF).
The report, released late last week, recommends that the DHS undersecretary for information analysis and infrastructure protection (IAIP) create and chair a group within the department to pull together the staff, money, technology and other resources needed to make the watch list interagency consolidation happen.
"DHS is not playing a lead role in coordinating the sharing of terrorist watch list information," the report says. "Instead, terrorist watch list consolidation activities are conducted by the federal organizations that were primarily responsible for collecting and disseminating terrorist information prior to DHS's formation. DHS officials said that the newly created department lacked the resources and infrastructure to assume leadership for the watch list consolidation effort. While this contention has merit, DHS can still play a more robust role than at present by overseeing and coordinating watch list consolidation activities across agency lines."
The report goes on to warn: "In the current environment of increased terrorist activity and security awareness, 'stovepiped' management of critical watch list information is no longer tolerable."
Islamic Forum Organizers Target Vienna
http://www.jewishtimes.com/News/4224.stm
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Organizers of an extremist Islamic conference banned in Berlin are hoping to move their event to Vienna.
Fadi Mahdi, deported earlier this month from Germany to Beirut, told the Spiegel Online magazine that the event, billed as the first Arabic Islamic congress in Europe, should take place in the Austrian capital.
Protesters, in an open letter posted on an Austrian Web site, http://www.juedische.at, called on Vienna Mayor Michael Haupl to prohibit the event from taking place there.
They quoted the Islamist congress organizers as calling for a "worldwide movement against American and Zionist Nazism" to join together "with pride in our martyrs."
The signatories asked Haupl to "make it clear to the Austrian people that supporters of violence and terror are not welcome in Vienna."
They might get their wish.
Muslim board to open ‘new chapter’
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041007/asp/nation/story_3851963.asp
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Oct. 6: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board will meet in Lucknow on Sunday to chalk out the agenda for its December conclave in Kochi that aims to usher in a “new chapter” for the community.
The agenda is expected to revolve around the central role of knowledge in Islam, honesty, hard work and personal integrity, and the “inclusive” and tolerant outward-looking character of the religion.
Under Maulana Rabey Nadvi’s chairmanship, the board hopes to provide centrality to the “Islah-e-Maishra (reforms in Islamic society)”, a report by Munger-based scholar Maulana Wali Rahmani, also the board secretary.
The draft report focuses on improvement in personal conduct, reforms in marriage/divorce and a complete ban on dowry and extravagance.
Board insiders said if liberals and reformists had their way, the Kochi conclave would see the beginning of a “new chapter” that emphasises “wisdom, practicality and harmony” of Islam.
“Islam encourages moderation or a balanced approach to life. Yet, it does not mean straying from the fundamentals of the holy Quran and the example and sayings of the Prophet,” a board office-bearer told The Telegraph.
Call it the 9/11 or Beslan effect, the dominant mood among Muslim clergy and scholars is to shed the stereotypical image of the religion being associated with violence and extremism. So the board wants to focus on social reforms.
Asked if this would include the controversial issue of family planning, a board representative said “yes and no”.