Replies

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/050419a.asp
"Terror on the Dark Continent: The Growth of al Qaeda"
By George Thomas
CBN News Sr. Reporter

CBN.com – (CBN News) ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Steven Emerson is one of the world's foremost experts on radical Islam. He said, “I think we should be very concerned about the continued operation, cultivation, support and probably growth of al Qaeda cells in North Africa.”

Veteran journalist Arnaud de Borchgrave warns, what these Africa-based al Qaeda agents have in mind, is to target the Western world as a whole and the United States in particular.

de Borchgrave said, “The ultimate objective, obviously, is as Osama bin Laden said in a recent message -- to bankrupt the United States.”

But it is not just Morocco that is grappling with Islamic terrorists. Squeezed out of its sanctuary in Afghanistan, U.S. and Western intelligence believe al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates are looking for havens in other parts of Africa, to spawn, recruit and plan future operations."

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
===
===

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1165.html
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Tue Apr 19 2005 02:25:20 GMT-0700.

March 14, 2005

This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the region. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on November 11, 2004, and expires on September 13, 2005.

The Department of State continues to warn of the possibility for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in the region. Anti-American violence could include possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa.

The Department is concerned that extremists may be planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil workers in the Gulf region. Armed attacks targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many deaths and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive surveillance. Extremists may be surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing areas and rental car facilities. Potential targets may include U.S. contractors, particularly those related to military interests.

Credible information has indicated terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East. Terrorist actions may include bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings and assassinations. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, and public areas where people congregate including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and shopping areas.

On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates around the world is restricted because of security concerns, and these posts may recommend that private U.S. citizens avoid the same areas if at all possible. Services to U.S. citizens in countries abroad may be affected if employees' movements are restricted. If this happens, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. In case office hours are reduced, U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting in person.

In addition, U.S. citizens planning to travel to the Middle East or North Africa should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information, available on the Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

===
===

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1386467/posts

"VILLAGERS BEAT CHRISTIANS, BURN DOWN PRAYER HALL Pastor and assistant attacked following baptisms"
CompassDirect.org ^ | April 15, 2005 | Compass

Posted on 04/19/2005 2:07:51 AM PDT by underlying

India - Friday April 15, 2005

"VILLAGERS BEAT CHRISTIANS, BURN DOWN PRAYER HALL

Pastor and assistant attacked following baptism ceremony."

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "April 15 (Compass) -- Hindu and Muslim villagers burned down a prayer hall and physically attacked three church members following a baptism ceremony in Kerala, India, on April 1. Two days later, villagers assaulted Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed and his 54-year-old assistant.

Ciniraj, as he prefers to be known, is a Christian from a Muslim background. He pastors the church in Thiruvananthapuram district -- popularly known as Trivandrum.

He is also the head of Salem Voice Ministries (SVM), which runs orphanages, village schools and adult literacy centers in Kerala. The SVM is registered under the Charitable Societies Act."