Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/958228.cms

"Passenger trains collide in Punjab, 20 dead"

PTI[ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2004 01:37:32 PM ]

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s04120043.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com, Web Site: www.assistnews.net

Monday, December 13, 2004

UZBEKISTAN: LATEST STUDENT EXPULSION IN ANTI-CHRISTIAN CAMPAIGN

By Igor Rotar, Forum 18 News Service
Special to ASSIST News Service

UZBEKISTAN (ANS) -- In a continuing anti-Christian campaign in the Karakalpakstan [Qoraqalpoghiston] autonomous republic in north-western Uzbekistan, a Protestant final year medical student, Ilkas Aldungarov, has been expelled from the Nukus branch of the Tashkent Paediatric Medical Institute, because he belongs to a Protestant church, the Church of Christ, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. The expulsion took place at the end of November and a Tashkent Protestant who preferred not to be named stressed to Forum 18 that, although formally Aldungarov was expelled on grounds of academic failure, in reality he was expelled for his religious beliefs.

Iklas Aldungarov and other Protestants have been targeted before by the authorities. In April 2004, Nukus city prosecutor M. Arzymbetov tried to have him expelled as he belonged to what Arzymbetiove called "an illegal religious sect." The Prosecutors Office also summoned 11 members of the same church for questioning, where they were pressured to renounce their faith and convert to Islam, and threatened with being shot (see F18 News 21 April 2004 www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=303).

Speaking to Forum 18 on 9 December in Nukus, the dean of the Paediatric Medical Institute, Bekbasyn Absametov, categorically denied that students were persecuted for their religious beliefs. Absametov showed Forum 18 a record of Ilkas Aldungarov's academic achievements between 2000 and 2004, which purported to show very low academic achievement. "We consider only students' knowledge, and not their religious beliefs. For example, as soon as Sherimbetova and Artykbayeva had passed the subjects in which they had unsatisfactory marks, we immediately reinstated them," Absametov told Forum 18. During the same interview with Forum 18, Absametov admitted that the lecturers did take an interest in the students' religious views, but found it hard to explain their curiosity. He also did not explain the other expulsions, or the literature search conducted by his colleague Alima Urazova.

Alima Urazova, a lecturer at the Paediatric Medical Institute, in April 2004 searched an apartment rented by Protestant students, seized religious literature, forced them to leave the flat and tried to stop them reading Protestant literature, saying that "it would be better for you to work as prostitutes than to read those dreadful books" (see F18 News 27 May 2004 www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=329).

Two of the students - Aliya Sherimbetova and Shirin Artykbayeva – were expelled in September for being Christians and were told that they were also expelled because their case had been published "on the internet", possibly a reference to Forum 18's coverage (see F18 News, 16 September 2004 www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=412). However, in November 2004 these two students were reinstated at the institute.

Protestant students have also been persecuted in other Nuku-based higher education institutions. In June, the dean of the Philology Faculty (Roman-German philology) at Berdah Karakalpak State University, Dina Mamyrbayeva, summoned three Protestant students and threatened them with expulsion if they do not stop visiting "sect members" (see F18News 9 July 2004 www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=359). One of the students, Elena Kim, a student of Roman-German philology, told Forum 18 on 8 December in Nukus that Dina Mamyrbayeva had accused her of "belonging to a banned sect, whose activity was of interest to the NSS." The National Security Service (NSS) is the Uzbek secret police, who have

Just as with the cases in the Paediatric Medical Institute, allegedly poor performance is also given as a reason for the Berdah Karakalpak State University expulsions. "It's impossible to prove anything; each time, students are expelled for their supposed failing performance. My daughter used to be a good student, but since the campaign against Protestant students began, she has suddenly become a failing student," said a member of the unregistered Protestant "Mir" (Peace) Church, Vladimir Kim, speaking to Forum 18 on 9 December in Nukus. It is thought that the expulsions of students from both institutions may have been organized by the NSS secret police.

Persecution specifically directed against Protestant students in Uzbekistan has so far only happened in Karakalpakstan, where it is almost impossible for Christian churches to gain official registration and therefore to meet legally for worship. Only one Christian church in the region has been legally registered - the Pentecostal Emmanuel Church – and unregistered religious activity is, against international law, banned in Uzbekistan.

For background information, see Forum 18's Uzbekistan religious freedom survey at www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=105.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=731&e=5&u=/ap/20041214/ap_on_re_as/afghan_taliban_arrests

"Two Suspected Taliban Commanders Arrested"

1 hour, 55 minutes ago

World - AP Asia

By NOOR KHAN, Associated Press Writer

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Afghan intelligence agents arrested two senior Taliban military commanders, including a former security chief of the hardline regime's leader Mullah Omar, an official said Tuesday.

AFP

Slideshow: Afghanistan

Tohr Mullah Naqvi, the Taliban rebels' military commander for Kandahar province, and his deputy Mullah Qayum, also known as Mullah Hunger, were nabbed Monday night at a home in Kandahar city, said Abdullah Laghmani, the provincial intelligence chief.

Laghmani said another suspect apprehended in the city earlier Monday driving a vehicle containing 460 pounds of explosives, allegedly intended for Taliban fighters, had led them to the two commanders.

"These two commanders were involved in every terrorist activity in Kandahar province against the government and coalition forces," Laghmani said.

He said that "important documents" had been seized from the two, which gave the names of other rebel commanders in the province."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141416,00.html

"Second Bomber Strikes Green Zone"

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "BAGHDAD, Iraq — A car bomb exploded early Tuesday near a checkpoint leading to Baghdad's Green Zone (search), the second attack in two days on the entrance to the heavily guarded district that houses Iraq's (search) interim government and foreign embassies, police said.

On Monday, a homicide car bomber (search) killed 13 people and injured at least 15 near the Harthiyah entrance on the western edge of zone which occupies an area of four square miles on the west bank of the Tigris river that flows through the center of the city."

WASHINGTON TIMES.com: "REIN IN THE ACLU" -OpEd by Phil Kent (December 14, 2004) (Read More...)

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/132004f.asp

"Civilian Program Deploys 'Care Packages' Overseas to U.S. Troops"

By Allie Martin
December 13, 2004

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "(AgapePress) - A project to help supply troops fighting the war on terror with "care packages" from home is gaining momentum. California-based Operation Interdependence is a civilian-to-military delivery system that allows U.S. residents to send care package shipments to platoons of up to 50 service members.

Vicky Porter is a coordinator for Operation Interdependence donations from the Northeast Mississippi area. She says the monthly shipments are major morale boosters for American troops overseas, who have sent some wonderful e-mails and letters in grateful response.

"They say it's uplifting just to hear from home, first of all," Porter notes, and she says many service personnel are overwhelmed "just to know that somebody's thinking of them, with the goodie bag items as well as the notes from home."

Operation Interdependence was launched by a retired Marine who was in charge of coordinating care package deliveries to U.S. troops during the first Gulf War. Without disrupting the training or mission of U.S. fighting forces, the program allows caring friends and family to send along a gesture of love, pride and support to the troops defending America's freedom abroad."

Catching up after another marathon writing session.

LOL! LOL!!!!!

Thanks, FO!

marked

Cold Case Heats Up
DENNIS TOWNSHIP, NJ-December 14, 2004 — Police say they'll release more details today regarding a 17-year-old unsolved homicide in Montgomery County now that the investigation has heated up again.

VIDEO: Dann Cuellar has the latest

Action News has learned that Monday night's search of a home in Dennis Township, Cape May County is connected to a 1987 unsolved murder in Montgomery County.

Among the items police took from the house was a model of one of the World Trade Center towers.

Police say they're questioning the man and woman who moved here from Montgomery County in 1987 – 51-year-old Jack Collin and his live-in girlfriend, 51-year-old Linda Russell.

The couple has not been charged with any crime.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/12142004_nw_coldcase.html

Re #2915

Intelligence sources say motivation high for holiday attacks through mid-January.

This is the reason I've been keeping my personal threat level at high. IMO, we've done a good job of not allowing more attacks, but I fear is just a matter of time. The jihadis are conspiring and planning. They are just waiting for us to go back to sleep. Many people have, but there are those (TM'ers) who will not.

As they watch us, we watch them. Maybe that's enough to keep them at bay. Vigilance is mandatory.

Curious.

I wonder what the WTC model has to do with the homicide?

Iraqi Resistance speech on videotape December 13 2004
Rush transcript-

Title: Communiqué Number 6

The media platoon of the Islamic Jihad Army. On the 27th of Shawal 1425h. 10 December 2004

People of the world! These words come to you from those who up to the day of the invasion were struggling to survive under the sanctions imposed by the criminal regimes of the U.S. and Britain.

We are simple people who chose principles over fear.

We have suffered crimes and sanctions, which we consider the true weapons of mass destruction.

Years and years of agony and despair, while the condemned UN traded with our oil revenues in the name of world stability and peace.

Over two million innocents died waiting for a light at the end of a tunnel that only ended with the occupation of our country and the theft of our resources.

After the crimes of the administrations of the U.S and Britain in Iraq, we have chosen our future. The future of every resistance struggle ever in the history of man.

It is our duty, as well as our right, to fight back the occupying forces, which their nations will be held morally and economically responsible; for what their elected governments have destroyed and stolen from our land.

We have not crossed the oceans and seas to occupy Britain or the U.S. nor are we responsible for 9/11. These are only a few of the lies that these criminals present to cover their true plans for the control of the energy resources of the world, in face of a growing China and a strong unified Europe. It is Ironic that the Iraqi's are to bear the full face of this large and growing conflict on behalf of the rest of this sleeping world.

We thank all those, including those of Britain and the U.S., who took to the streets in protest against this war and against Globalism. We also thank France, Germany and other states for their position, which least to say are considered wise and balanced, til now.

Today, we call on you again.

We do not require arms or fighters, for we have plenty.

We ask you to form a world wide front against war and sanctions. A front that is governed by the wise and knowing. A front that will bring reform and order. New institutions that would replace the now corrupt.

Stop using the U.S. dollar, use the Euro or a basket of currencies. Reduce or halt your consumption of British and U.S. products. Put an end to Zionism before it ends the world. Educate those in doubt of the true nature of this conflict and do not believe their media for their casualties are far higher than they admit.

We only wish we had more cameras to show the world their true defeat.

The enemy is on the run. They are in fear of a resistance movement they can not see nor predict.

We, now choose when, where, and how to strike. And as our ancestors drew the first sparks of civilization, we will redefine the word “conquest.“

Today we write a new chapter in the arts of urban warfare.

Know that by helping the Iraqi people you are helping yourselves, for tomorrow may bring the same destruction to you.

In helping the Iraqi people does not mean dealing for the Americans for a few contracts here and there. You must continue to isolate their strategy.

This conflict is no longer considered a localized war. Nor can the world remain hostage to the never-ending and regenerated fear that the American people suffer from in general.

We will pin them here in Iraq to drain their resources, manpower, and their will to fight. We will make them spend as much as they steal, if not more.

We will disrupt, then halt the flow of our stolen oil, thus, rendering their plans useless.

And the earlier a movement is born, the earlier their fall will be.

And to the American soldiers we say, you can also choose to fight tyranny with us. Lay down your weapons, and seek refuge in our mosques, churches and homes. We will protect you. And we will get you out of Iraq , as we have done with a few others before you.

Go back to your homes, families, and loved ones. This is not your war. Nor are you fighting for a true cause in Iraq.

And to George W. Bush, we say, “You have asked us to ‘Bring it on’, and so have we. Like never expected. Have you another challenge?”

Source: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article7468.htm

Humvees Stolen from Kansas National Guard

A Humvee that was stolen from the Kansas National Guard armory in Olathe on Sunday has been located.

It was found in Coffeyville, Kansas.

The vehicle was used by the 169th Battalion. They already have several hundred soldiers in Iraq. Another unit is expected to deploy next week. The stolen Humvee might have been shipped off to Iraq with the soldiers.

The Humvee didn't have a license plate, but a plate from another military vehicle is now missing.

If the suspect is found, that person would face federal charges.
http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/1142422.html

Great find Vel. I especially loved the patriotic background music . . .

New links from Neosgirl:

http://foma.3g2.org/upload/so/
http://67.19.194.20/~terrori/
http://yukib.myvnc.com/cgi-bin/source
http://www.cypos-internet-plus.de/ftp/incoming/
http://81.169.191.61/ftp/incoming
ftp://66.230.232.63/z/007/
ftp://144.122.21.61/_vti_prv/007/
ftp://216.153.209.106/0/ansarnet/
ftp://69.44.154.225/upload_here/
ftp://213.188.216.140/Mouheb_al_shaykhayn_al_tunsi/
http://black-death.siteatnet.com/foreign/black-death/
http://tinbird.dip.jp/nyo/up/upload.php

The following is an editorial from TIME. Take the source for what it is worth (and thats not very much IMHO).

The Terror Threat Continues
Despite some success, President Bush must continue to confront extremists

As he prepares for his second term in office, President George W. Bush has to face the fact that the war on terror is not yet won. Despite limited success against terrorist personalities and the terrorist infrastructure linked to al-Qaeda, extremist groups have survived. In Southeast Asia, such groups continue to pose a significant threat to regional and Western targets alike.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, there have been three significant developments among Southeast Asian terrorist groups. First, local jihadists are behaving like al-Qaeda, from which they take their inspiration. Between 2002 and 2004, Jemaah Islamiah (J.I.), the regional group closest to al-Qaeda, conducted three mass-fatality suicide attacks against Western targets, including the bombing of nightclubs in Bali. The Abu Sayyaf group bombed a superferry in February 2004 in the Philippines, the worst maritime terrorist attack in history. And, in 2003, Singaporean and Indonesian authorities disrupted an al-Qaeda-style operation by a J.I. cell to hijack an Aeroflot plane from Bangkok and crash it into the international airport in Singapore. In the past, Southeast Asian jihadist groups never attacked Western targets or engaged in suicide operations. Now they do; and they will continue to do so in the coming years. Second, al-Qaeda linked terrorist training camps are still active in Southeast Asia. True, camps in Kalimantan, Indonesia, have been dismantled, but there are training camps on the Philippine island of Mindanao. Although the camps there are small and mobile, and the recruits trained in them few in number, the training is impressive, including study of chemical and biological agents. Third, regional governments continue to lack both the will and the wallet to target the groups' support and operational infrastructure.

LATEST COVER STORY
December 20, 2004 Issue
Secrets of the Nativity

Past Covers

Asia's Bad Air December 13, 2004

Coolest Inventions 2004 December 6, 2004

China & Japan November 29, 2004

Best of Asia November 22, 2004

Four More Years November 15, 2004

Asia & Obesity November 8, 2004

The Morning After November 1, 2004

Visions of Tomorrow October 25, 2004

China & Europe October 18, 2004

Asia's Heroes October 11, 2004

PICTURES OF THE YEAR
The Best Images of 2004

ASIA
Essay: The Threat Goes On

BUSINESS
Lenovo and IBM: A Lot to Chew

ARTS
Books: Chasing the Dragon

NOTEBOOK
Taiwan: Check and Balance
Japan: Back to Reality
China: 9,000-year-old wine?
Taiwan: Check and Balance
Milestones
Verbatim
Letters

GLOBAL ADVISER
Iceland: Under the Volcano
London: Screen Gems at the Tate
Outdoors: Dog Days of Winter

CNN.com: Top Headlines

The intervention by a U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan in 2001 helped reduce the strategic threat from terrorism in Southeast Asia. But the invasion of Iraq in 2003 angered Muslims in the region. Some have expressed their anger by supporting terrorist and extremist groups opposed to the U.S. Even more than Palestine, the events in Iraq have had a profound effect on Southeast Asian Muslims. It is only a matter of time before small numbers of radicalized Southeast Asians travel to Iraq to participate in the jihad. But though local Asian terrorist groups have been strengthened by the invasion of Iraq, it has also acted to reduce the threat of terrorism in Asia from al-Qaeda and groups based outside the region. Al-Qaeda traditionally maintained a presence in Southeast Asia, but events in Iraq have forced the group to focus its limited resources on the Middle East.

Unlike Muslims in the Middle East, those in Southeast Asia live in the shadows of large Buddhist, Hindu and Christian communities. Local Muslims have traditionally been moderate and tolerant. As in other regions, terrorism in Southeast Asia is supported only by a minority. But as Southeast Asia has had no indigenous history of terrorism, counterterrorism institutions in the region are weak or nonexistent. So domestic and foreign terrorist groups have been able to operate with relative ease. J.I., for example, is virtually a legal entity in Indonesia. To reduce the terrorist threat in Asia, regional governments must continue to build up their intelligence and enforcement capabilities. And regional leaders need to develop the political will to combat politically motivated violence.

In addition to developing the ability to target terrorist operational capabilities, governments must also take aim at the ideological wellsprings of terrorism. Regional governments and institutions can work together with the Muslim community and religious leaders to marginalize the radicals' message. Furthermore, they must seek to resolve existing and emerging regional conflicts, such as those in southern Philippines and southern Thailand. So long as such conflicts persist, with the perception that Muslims are suffering persecution, existing and new radical groups will find it easy to recruit members. For the governments of Southeast Asia, there is no agenda item so important as finding a healing balm for long-festering sores in the region. If that is not done, the threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia—directed at local and Western targets—will continue to darken the next four years as it has the past three.

—Rohan Gunaratna is head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore. He is also the author of Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of

http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501041220-1006695,00.html

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I'mmm bbback...missed everyone, lots of catching up to do.

Had a great time. If you ever want a quite vacation with your own little house see the link below. In the middle of nowhere quite, friendly people, on the bay. The WHOLE wedding party stayed here, Texans sure do drink alot of beer.LOL

http://www.pelicanbayresort.com/minisuite.htm