Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Thirty-Five

[nwctwx]

Unrest in Pakistan Setback for Terror War
(Full Story)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- A week of unprecedented urban fighting in the wild tribal belt of North Waziristan has left scores dead and forced thousands to flee their homes, raising the stakes in Pakistan's war on Islamic militancy along the Afghan border.

A jumbled alliance of foreign militants, local tribesmen and Islamic students eager for jihad have stepped up resistance in a region where the army already claims to have wiped out al-Qaida as a viable fighting force.

The unrest, brewing for months, is a setback to the U.S.-led war on terror. Further hampering that effort are deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan over Afghan claims that Taliban leader Mullah Omar is hiding in Pakistan and suicide bombers are training here.

	Growing strength of Pakistani Taliban worries U.S. officials
	Are global events spiraling out of control?
	Zawahri calls for strikes against West

Thread Thirty-Five

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[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://www.centcom.mil/sites/uscentcom1/Lists/Press%20Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=2803&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecentcom%2Emil%2Fsites%2Fuscentcom1%2FLists%2FPress%20Releases%2FCurrent%20Releases%2Easpx

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
Title:
INSURGENTS FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL WEAPONS AND JOINING ARMED TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Release Date:
3/21/2006
Release Number:
06-03-02PJ
Description:
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 21 security detainees for various crimes including possession of illegal weapons and illegal border crossing.

In the first case, Coalition Security Forces (CSF) apprehended Ahmed Zamil Laheeb, E’dam Munther Faisal, Muzahim Kamil Hamed, Majid Muslih Ejab and Hakeem Zamil Laheeb near the area of Saba al Boor for possession of illegal weapons on Sep. 21, 2005. CSF apprehended the individuals after finding SA-7 (surface to air) missiles, a mortar bipod, 12-gauge primer rounds and AK-47 rifles in the vehicle they were driving in. The defendants were charged with violating Coalition Provisional Authority Order No. 3, Section 6, paragraph 2/B for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found all five defendants guilty of the charge and sentenced them to 7 years imprisonment each.

In the second case, on June 15, 2005, CSF, in conjunction with soldiers of the Iraqi Army, apprehended Mohammed Hamdi Yousef, Waed Abdullah Abdul Razaq, Safa Ali Chiad Al Jeboury, Walid Abd Al-Kader and Hassan Sobhi Khalid al-Sherkil after conducting a raid of a residence in Baghdad suspected to belong to a cell of insurgents known for kidnapping, murder and extortion. Two men participated as armed guards holding two hostages, one man gave medical assistance to the kidnap victims and two others were involved in the holding and extortion of money from the victims and their families. The defendants were charged with violating Iraqi Penal Code 194 for organizing and joining an armed terrorist organization for the purpose of stopping and delaying the laws execution, and disturbing the national security and the stability in the country. The trial court found all five defendants guilty of the charge and sentenced each to a life sentence.

In the third case, on Oct. 3, 2004, CSF apprehended Ahmed Eyden Elewah and Nihad Fadel Muslih after conducting raids at homes where they recovered IED-making materials. The defendants were charged with violating CPA Order No. 3, Section 6, paragraph 2/A for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found both defendants guilty of the charge and sentenced them to one year and six months respectively.

In the fourth case, on Dec. 14, 2005, CSF apprehended Abass Khalil Ibrahim during a raid on the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Ghadab Brigade associated with Al Tawhid Al Jihad. During interrogation, the defendant acknowledged “repairing” cars for Abu Anas and the Revolutionary Ghadab Brigade knowing that they are terrorist organizations. The defendant also detailed his involvement in the Mujahideen, recruiting six individuals for Abu Anas and Al Tawhid, possessing and using a forged citizenship identification card and identifying a number of individuals who were associated with Abu Anas and the Revolutionary Ghadab Brigade. The defendant was charged with violating Article 194 of the Iraqi Penal Code for organizing, heading, leading or joining armed groups. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to a life sentence.

In the fifth case, on May 18, 2005, CSF apprehended Mohammed Abdul Jabbar and Ziyan Abdul Jabbar after conducting a raid on the defendants’ home. CSF found explosives, a detonation device and IED-making materials. The defendants were charged with violating CPA Order No. 3, Section 6, Paragraph 2/A for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendants guilty of the charge and sentenced them to one year in prison.

In the sixth case, on Sep. 12, 2004, CSF apprehended Adnan Taha Danush after searching the defendant’s home. CSF found five AK-47 magazines, several hundred rounds of various ammunition, six grenades, explosives and IED-making materials. The defendant was charged with violating CPA Order No. 3, Section 6, Paragraph 2/B for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to seven years imprisonment.

In the seventh case, on Aug. 24, 2005, CSF apprehended Ali Hamad Salih and Jasim Mohammed Sall after stopping them while driving their vehicle, which matched the description of a vehicle that had been placing IEDs along the road. CSF searched the vehicle and found three 130mm artillery shells in the passenger compartment. The defendants were charged with violating CPA Order No. 3, Section 6, Paragraph 2/B for possession of illegal special weapons. The trial court found the defendants guilty of the charge and sentenced them to ten years imprisonment.

In the eighth case, on Sep. 2, 2004, CSF apprehended Mohammed Bahajat Younis after they came under RPG fire during their investigation of a possible IED site. An unmanned aerial vehicle directed the CSF to the vehicle moving away from the location the rockets were fired from. The CSF found a rocket launcher, eight RPG rounds, one PKC machine gun with one 100-round ammunition drum, two AK-47 rifles with eight full magazines, one 9mm pistol with a full magazine, one anti-tank grenade, five fragmentary hand grenades, two Nokia cell phones, and six black face masks during a vehicle search. The defendant was charged with violating CPA Order No. 3, Section 6, Paragraph 2/A for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment.

In the ninth case, on Sep. 30, 2004, CSF apprehended Saldou Farraham Shahod after they approached a car that appeared to have broken down near a CSF checkpoint. CSF moved the detainees away from the car and found a mortar, mortar fuses, one Motorola radio, and one Sony video camera. The defendant was charged with violating CPA Order No. 3, Section 6, Paragraph 2/A for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment.

And in the tenth case, on Oct. 22, 2004, CSF apprehended the Abdul Sitaar Abdul Tabbar in a raid on his home in Baghdad. The defendant was found in possession of seven AK-47 rifles, four pistols, one case of 9mm ammunition, and one set of body armor. The defendant was charged with violating Article 27/3 of Iraqi Weapons Law No. 13 of 1992 for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment and a 50,000 dinar fine.

Upon conviction, all defendants are turned over to the Iraqi Corrections Service to serve their sentences.

To date, the CCCI has held 964 trials of insurgents suspected of anti-Iraqi and anti-Coalition activities threatening the security of Iraq and targeting MNF-I. These proceedings have resulted in 879 individual convictions with sentences ranging up to 30 years imprisonment.

TEXT PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR TASK FORCE 134 (DETAINEE OPERATIONS). For more information, contact LTC KEIR-KEVIN CURRY AT KEIRKEVIN.CURRY@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL or CAPT TRACY GILES AT TRACY.GILES@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL

-30-



Created at 3/21/2006 7:50 AM by Christopher J. Augustine
Last modified at 3/21/2006 7:50 AM by Christopher J. Augustine

[JustPiper]

~Inevitably it is always about BIG Business is it not?

Prudential Islamic finance hub in Malaysia

By DALJIT DHESI

LONDON: Prudential plc, the second largest life insurer in Britain, intends to make Malaysia an Islamic regional financial services hub, said group chief executive officer Mark Tucker.

He said the company was looking at the possibility of establishing a regional fund management centre due to the growing potential and demand for financial products, including Islamic instruments, globally.

“This is because the Islamic insurance and funds industry remains relatively untapped and very few global players are offering these range of products and solutions,” Tucker told reporters during a media tour of Prudential PLC’s headquarters here.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/3/22/business/13731124&sec=business

[JustPiper]

U.K. Terror Plot Thwarted at Last Stage, Court Told (Update1)

March 21 (Bloomberg) -- Police intercepted a group of men planning deadly bombings in Britain just before their final targets were selected, prosecutors told a London court.

Seven men went on trial today in connection with the alleged plot, which also involved terror suspects in the U.S. and Canada. One defendant, Omar Khyam, who is charged with helping acquire more than half a ton of fertilizer laced with explosive ammonium nitrate, said he planned to target pubs, nightclubs and trains, prosecutor David Waters QC told jurors.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aWZYgIJCsGCM&refer=europe

[JustPiper]

Taiwan's secret: Island is territory of U.S.!

TAIPEI, Taiwan – When discussing Taiwan's international position, we are frequently told that after World War II there was a peace treaty where Japan renounced all right, claim and title to "Formosa and the Pescadores" (aka Taiwan), but these areas were not given to any other country. Based on a simple analysis of these treaty provisions, it could be held that Taiwan's international legal position is undetermined. In the past few years, however, many people have begun to disagree with such an interpretation.

In Taiwan, local independence advocates stress that Taiwan belongs to the Taiwanese people. The People's Republic of China authorities stress that Taiwan belongs to the PRC. Some activist groups claim that based on the U.N. Charter, Taiwan qualifies to be a U.N. trusteeship. These are all points of view that have received a large amount of coverage in the mainstream Taiwanese media.

http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49379

[JustPiper]

* IMPORTANT

Fears grow over new Dubai revolt

Arab and US officials are growing nervous at the prospect of a second congressional uprising against the acquisition of American assets by a Middle Eastern-controlled company in the wake of the Dubai Ports World debacle.

A person familiar with the thinking of both the US and United Arab Emirates said officials were concerned that the pending investigation of Dubai International Capital’s £700m ($1.2m) purchase of Doncasters, a privately-held British aerospace manufacturer that works on sensitive US weapons programmes, including the Joint Strike Fighter, could provoke a similar backlash and further damage the relationship between the two countries.

[JustPiper]

Iranians Training Bombers, Terrorists for Iraq War
Jim Kouri

The British government has shown American intelligence officials information indicating that Iran is operating "training camps" for bombers who carry out terrorist attacks on coalition forces, Iraqi security forces and civilians. It appears that the training is accelerating in order to create havoc and destabilize the fledgling Iraqi government.

http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=4448
________________________________________________________

Saudi Arabia risk: Security risk

(RiskWire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)COUNTRY BRIEFING

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

RISK RATINGSCurrentCurrentPreviousPreviousRatingScoreRatingScoreOverall assessmentC48C48Security riskC50C50Note: E=most risky; 100=most risky.SUMMARY

Extremist Islamist cells are inspired by, and in some instances connected to, Al-Qaida. However they operate largely independently from any command and control by this loose international alliance and, to an extent, from any national leadership within the kingdom.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/21/1477542.htm

[JustPiper]

Mofaz: Iran gave millions to terrorism

Defense Minister tells Ynet in an exclusive interview that Iranians are pushing for a terror attack in March and have increased funding to Islamic Jihad; On Tuesday, a terror attack was thwarted on the Tel Aviv – Jerusalem highway; Mofaz: 'There is a consolidation of an axis of terror.'
Hanan Greenberg

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has revealed that Iran has increased its funding of terrorism against Israel.

"Last month, Iran gave the Islamic Jihad USD 1.8 million, to carry out attacks against Israel," Mofaz told Ynet in an interview.

~Snip:

Mr. Defense Minister, we are a week away from elections. What effort is being made by terror organizations to carry out attacks?


"We know that Iran transferred in the last month USD 1.8 million to the Islamic Jihad organization in order to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel. This is direct aid from Iran, from which most of the money is transferred through Syria, and from there to the Islamic Jihad in the territories."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3230629,00.html

[cva66snipe]

ping (pardon any duplicates). This is another occurance right out of the pages of the books which have correctly predicted the rapid rise in Chinese Naval power, thedeveloping ties between India and China, the rise of a belligerent leader in Iran, Chinese ties to that leader, the spreading Chinese influence and collaboration in South America, and the growing economic ties between China and Russia, specifically in Siberia dealing with the natural resources there. I pray we will turn our foreign policy completely around in this area (Bush has made some movement in thios direction ver the last several years, but, IMHO, not nearly enough) and realize that a kingpin behind a lot of the rising resentment and hostility towards the US has China written all over it. In my extimation, we need to treat them, pronto, as Reagan did the Soviets during his day.

M.E. oil dollars going into Russian & China's defense systems will be our ruin if we don't start addressing it ASAP. This isn't a party issue it's an American issue. Their resources combined they are more industrialized {defense wise} than we are now. The missing link was technology which leaders from both parties have been far too reckless with. China is letting Corp USA build their factories. Before anyone speaks about our weapons systems remember this soldiers gotta wear clothes and have gear also. How soon might they be nationalized? Russia on the other hand simply has shuttered factories. They closed them down they didn't tear them down. That's a substantial difference and advantage when a nation gears up for war.

We won WW2 on our resolve as a nation on the Battlefield foremost and our capabilities to churn out on very short notice weapons that were needed from rifles to aircraft carriers. We no longer enjoy that edge. If a person was to do some digging likely all of our defense components are now foreign dependent either on the raw material or manufacturing process. One simple attack could render aircraft carrier production to an impossibility for nearly a decade. We once had 4 such capable yards. Now we have one and this is but one example of our decline.

[Cindy]

A few more details, photos and updates ON THE NET...

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&q=%22Mohammad+Tawhidul+Islam%22&ie=UTF-8&filter=0

---

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/03/22/missing_athletes,2.jpg

http://www.smh.com.au/news/commonwealth-games/athletes-still-missing/2006/03/22/1142703420674.html
"Missing Games athletes Mohammad Tawhidul Islam of Bangladesh and Omari Idd Kimweri of Tanzania.
Photo: Supplied"

"ATHLETES STILL MISSING"
By Chris Evans
March 22, 2006 - 4:25PM


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Police have this afternoon expressed concern for the welfare of missing Commonwealth Games athletes Omari Idd Kimweri of Tanzania and Mohammad Tawhidul Islam of Bangladesh."


ARTICLE SNIPPET #2: "Kimweri, a 48-kilogram boxer, and Islam, a 400-metre runner, was last seen in his bed at the athletes' village in inner suburban Parkville at 7am Monday.

His room was not slept in Monday night and no possessions were missing, other thanhis money, passport and a plane ticket."


ARTICLE SNIPPET #3: "Some nations had confiscated athletes' passports, but the Tanzanians retained their travel documents, Mr Ramdhani said.

"Everybody has his passport and his plane ticket, you cannot take anybody's passport, it is against human (rights).""

ARTICLE SNIPPET #4: "A police spokeswoman said the two men spoke little or no English and have no known friends or associates in Melbourne."


ARTICLE SNIPPET #5: "Anyone who may have seen either man should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

[Cindy]

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5345
"Prospects of Terror: An Inquiry into Jihadi Alternatives (I)"
March 21st, 2006

[LucyT]

While searching for a link to your post, these popped up:

Dubai Deal's Collapse Prompts Fears Abroad on Trade With U.S.
NYT ^ | March 10, 2006 | Eduardo Porter

DP World's decision yesterday to transfer a handful of American port terminals, rather than chilling interest in investing in the United States, may actually have made it safer for foreigners by relieving some of the political pressure that was building up against them.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1593960/posts

This article tries to convince us it's a bad thing for congress to defend this country:

Fears grow over new Dubai revolt

"President George W. Bush, who defended the DP World deal but was unable to quash the rebellion by members of his own party, has emphasised the UAE’s role as an ally in the “war on terror”.

"Even if the administration were to approve the Doncasters deal, the reaction to the DP World deal has signalled to foreign investors in the US – particularly in Arab countries - that Congress has the capability to derail any deal."

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c8f7de22-b91c-11da-b57d-0000779e2340.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600691/posts

[Cindy]

Note: The Cartoon Jihad links have been updated here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600319/posts?page=17#17

===

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600319/posts

"Swedish FM resigns over cartoon row (Accused of violating free speech laws re Muhammad cartoons)"
AP via Jerusalem Post ^ | Mar. 21, 2006

Posted on 03/21/2006 7:55:06 AM PST by Hannah Senesh

[freeperfromnj]

bookmark

[LS]

The investement in China is a race between the liberation of capitalism and the sclerotic grip of communism. I'm betting the former wins. In the past, it played a major role in the unraveling of the USSR---so long as our military stance remains resolute.

[Velveeta]

Updating your update: ;-)

Another 7 athletes go missing
http://www.theage.com.au/news/commonwealth-games/another-seven-athletes-go-missing/2006/03/22/1142703420674.html

[Velveeta]

Clinton reactor offline

Exelon Corp. worked to restore operations at its Clinton nuclear plant, which shut down unexpectedly with its second operational problem this month. "Clinton had an automatic shutdown" of its reactor at 4:53 a.m. Monday, said a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Craig Nesbit, a spokesman for Chicago-based Exelon, said it was unclear when Clinton would resume generating electricity.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0603220264mar22,1,1836991.story

[Velveeta]

***Suspect Atomic Bomb Link***


One of the suspected terrorists on trial for allegedly plotting a nationwide bombing campaign has been linked to a nuclear weapon.

The Old Bailey jury was told that Salahuddin Amin had been involved in discussions to buy a nuclear bomb.

The prosecution said contact had been made with the Russian mafia in Belgium, from whom they wanted to buy a radio-isotope bomb.

Yesterday, jurors heard the prosecution outline its case that the seven-strong gang - all British citizens - planned to blow up pubs, nightclubs, trains and also considered hitting the UK's power infrastructure.


Khyam, Garcia, Hussain, Akbar The gang had wanted to blow up "the biggest nightclub" in central London, prosecutor David Waters QC said.

In February, 2004, they were allegedly overheard discussing bomb targets.(snip)
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1216187,00.html

[Velveeta]

Cold War bunker found in Brooklyn Bridge

By Hussein Saddique


NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York workers have discovered a trove of Cold War-era supplies within the masonry of the Brooklyn Bridge, a cache meant to aid in survival efforts in the event of nuclear attack.(snip)

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/21/coldwar.trove/index.html

photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkybink/sets/72057594087703836/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/positiveprint/sets/72057594087728935/

[Godzilla]

The Basque separatist group ETA announced a permanent cease-fire Wednesday, ending a decades-long campaign of violence and closing the door on one of Western Europe's last active armed separatist movements. In a video statement, ETA said it "has decided to declare a permanent cease fire as of March 24, 2006."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060322/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/spain_basque_cease_fire

[freeperfromnj]

Suspicious package found at the White House (Fox News)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1600990/posts