Threat Matrix: February 2007

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070223baltimore.htm

February 23, 2007

Indonesian Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Money Laundering
Aided Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Attempted Sale of Surface to Air Missiles, Night Vision Devices, Machine Guns and State of the Art Firearms

BALTIMORE - Erick Wotulo, age 59, a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, and a retired Indonesian Marine Corps General, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and money laundering, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, "Terrorists must not be permitted to use the United States as a source of funding or equipment. We will continue to utilize all possible means to prevent terrorism, including undercover operations targeting people who attempt to obtain munitions in violation of our laws."

Special agent in charge William D. Chase, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office, said "Terrorism is our number one priority and the FBI is committed to preventing any terrorist group from using the United States, or any other country, as a source of funding or to procure arms to commit their acts of violence."

"This case demonstrates the real threat posed by international arms trafficking and money laundering," said acting special agent in charge of ICE investigations in Baltimore. "ICE's goal is to identify, disrupt and ultimately dismantle organizations that can pose a threat to our national security."

Daniel F. Willkens, Acting Director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), welcomed the guilty plea and stated, "The illegal export of U.S. military technology and weapons is one of the most significant and growing threats to our national security. This investigation highlights the achievement of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, in cooperation with federal law enforcement and intelligence agency partners, in countering these threats. DCIS will continue to relentlessly pursue those who steal and illegally export our sensitive technology, to ensure that America's War fighters maintain their tactical and strategic advantage around the world."

According to the plea agreement, beginning in April 2006 Wotulo conspired with others to export state-of-the-art firearms, machine guns and ammunition, surface to air missiles, night vision goggles and other military weapons to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) operating within Sri Lanka, to be used to fight against Sri Lankan government forces. The conspirators contacted an undercover business located in Maryland about the sale of military weapons. Wotulo aided in the acquisition and proposed delivery of military technology to the Tamil Tigers, requesting price quotes, negotiating the purchases, and providing details of ocean routes for the transfer of the arms to the Tamil Tigers.

Wotulo contacted the undercover business on June 5, 2006 and stated that he and his associates were preparing a purchase order for the weapons. Wotulo stated that the chief of the Tamil Tigers requested that he and another conspirator travel to Baltimore to meet with undercover agents. He affirmed the need to provide the undercover agents with a 25% deposit before the weapons purchase could proceed.

Central to the plan to acquire arms and munitions for the Tamil Tigers was the transfer on August 2, 2006, of $250,000 into an undercover bank account in Maryland. This transfer was a down payment for the arms and this conduct is reflected in the money laundering charge contained in count three of the superseding indictment.

An additional $452,000 payment was transferred on September 28, 2006 for the arms. On September 29, 2006 Wotulo arrived in Guam to meet with other conspirators and undercover agents to discuss the shipboard loading of the arms and munitions destined for the Tamil Tigers. Wotulo also discussed with undercover agents future sales of weapons to the Tamil Tigers. The arrest of Wotulo and others accused in the conspiracy occurred shortly thereafter in Guam.

Founded in 1976, the Tamil Tigers has advocated the violent overthrow of the Sri Lankan government, employing acts of violence, including suicide bombings, against both civilian and military targets. Approximately 200 such attacks have been attributed to the Tamil Tigers to date. The Tamil Tigers rely heavily upon supporters throughout the world to raise and launder money, acquire intelligence and purchase military use technology. The U.S. Department of State designated the Tamil Tigers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997. As such, the Tamil Tigers cannot legally raise money or procure operational equipment in the United States.

Wotulo faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for money laundering. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for May 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Maryland James G. Warwick, Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Eisenberg, Chief of National Security, who is supervising the case.

-- ICE --

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1791516/posts

"Chavez seeks to support a rising Dominican political figure"
Dominican Today ^ | 26 Feb 2007 | Staff

Posted on 02/26/2007 12:51:16 PM PST by Kitten Festival

SANTO DOMINGO

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1777773/posts?page=1245#1245

===

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015419.php

February 26, 2007

February 26, 1993
On this day fourteen years ago, Islamic jihadists set off a bomb in the World Trade Center, killing six people, wounding 1,000, and causing $500 million in damage.

Over eight years later, Islamic jihadists brought down those same Towers.

One might have been forgiven for thinking, in the interim between February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001, that the problem of "terrorism" was under control, and that the 1993 strike was a lucky hit that would not be repeated.

These days, likewise, I am frequently asked in radio interviews whether I think there is really a problem with terrorism on American soil, since, after all, there has not been a terrorist attack here since September 11. Well, this has not been for want of trying, as the archives here abundantly illustrate. But what's more, we should note that those who grew complacent between 1993 and 2001 were wrong to do so, and so are those who have grown complacent now.

Posted by Robert at February 26, 2007 06:23 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CauDw2T7t7M&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmypetjawa%2Emu%2Enu%2Farchives%2F186695%2Ephp

"'Top Of The World'"

Added February 18, 2007
From vmMovies

===
===

VIDEO - DESCRIPTION - QUOTE:

Added February 18, 2007
From vmMovies

"In Memory of September 11"_ Although the majority of space in the WTC complex was off-limits to the general public, 1 WTC (North Tower) had a restaurant on the 107th floor called Windows on the World, and 2 WTC (South Tower) featured a public observation area aptly named "Top Of The World."

When visiting the observation deck, visitors would first pass through security checks added after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Next, visitors were whisked to the 107th floor indoor observatory and greeted with a 360 degree view of the New York City skyline, and exhibitions including a three-dimensional scale model of Manhattan, and a simulated helicopter ride around the city. Weather-permitting, visitors could take two short escalator rides up from the 107th floor and visit what was the world's highest outdoor viewing platform. At a height of 1,377 feet (420 m), visitors were able to take in a view of the North Tower and New York City unlike any other. On a clear day, it was claimed that visitors could see up to 45 miles (72 km) in any given direction. An anti-suicide fence was placed on the roof itself, with the viewing platform set back and elevated above it, requiring only an ordinary railing and leaving the view unobstructed.

Windows on the World was an elegant restaurant known as a place for big celebrations, such as weddings. In its last full year of operation, 2000, Windows on the World reported revenues of $37.5 million, making it the highest-grossing restaurant in the United States.

Local made anti-terrorism unit protecting Memphis
February 26, 2007

KNOXVILLE - It's the first of it's kind -- a mobile anti-terrorism unit for commercial use. It was developed and built right here in East Tennessee. A partnership between Oak Ridge National Lab and Knoxville technology firm, Cadre-5. The device can be used at sporting events and festivals -- where large groups of people gather. It's called the S.N.A.P.S unit, which stands for Sensor Network Area Protection System. It works using portable sensors and a camera that can be put on a pole, outside the trailer.

Police using the system would set up before an event or festival and monitor the environment, the air and any chemicals that might be in it. The system can detect any change in the air for 10 square miles, whether it's biological chemical, radiologial and explosive. A change will set off alarms inside the trailer. An officer watching screens inside the trailer will be able to assess the threat, view and record the area and figure out how to evacuate the crowd.

Excerpted

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=6144463

Terrorism inmates in Indiana
Monday, February 26, 2007

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department has quietly opened a prison unit in Indiana that houses a hodgepodge of second-tier terrorism inmates, most of them Arab Muslims, whose ability to communicate with the outside world has been tightly restricted.

At the Communications Management Unit at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, all telephone calls and mail are monitored, the number of phone calls is limited and visits are restricted to a total of four hours per month, according to special rules enforced by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. All inmate conversations must be conducted in English unless otherwise negotiated.

The unit appears to be a less restrictive version of the super-maximum facility in Florence, Colo., which holds some of the United States' most notorious terrorists, including al-Qaida operative Zacarias Moussaoui and Unabomber Theodore Kacszynski.

Excerpted

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070226/NEWS02/702260408/1025

I'll see if I can get some more local information for you.

Thanks for the ping!

Wow.... Had to slam on the brakes.

This is being marketed as anti-terror, but I wonder how long it takes before it's turned to some other purpose.

Smoke free cities buying these things to catch smokers, maybe.

My cynicism is showing, I know. I am unwilling to sacrifice freedom for security.

The idea of an electronic canary is amazing, though.

COOL...Thanks Oorang for the info.

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.memri.org/iran.html

===
===

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=iran&ID=SP147807

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1478
February 27, 2007 No.1478

"International Efforts Fail and Nuclear Plants Are Built in Several Iranian Cities by 2022 in a Tehran TV Animated Film"

SNIPPET: "To view the clip visit:http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1390 "

===
===

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=iran&ID=SP147507

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1475
February 23, 2007 No.1475

"Reports on Iran's Nuclear Progress"

===
===

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015422.php

February 26, 2007
"Ahmadinejad: Tomato price hikes an enemy plot"
(REUTERS)

===
===

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/015421.php

February 26, 2007

"Ahmadinejad says ‘no brakes’ on Iran nuclear drive"
"'Going off the rails on a Crazy Train' in Tehran"
(AFP)

TEHERAN

===
===

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254600,00.html
(AP)
"U.S.: Large Cache of Weapons Discovered in Iraq Traceable to Iran"
Monday, February 26, 2007

BAQOUBA, Iraq

===
===

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=105&sid=1072200
February 26th, 2007
"Iran Says 'Space Rocket' Was for Study"

Feb 26th - 8:36am
By NASSER KARIMI Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran (AP)

===
===

Thanks to Velveeta for pointing to this thread and article:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1791392/posts

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17312636/site/newsweek

"New York: Targeted By Tehran?"

Newsweek
March 5, 2007 issue -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "NYPD officials have worried about possible Iranian-sponsored attacks since a series of incidents involving officials of the Iranian Mission to the United Nations. In November 2003, Ahmad Safari and Alireaza Safi, described as Iranian Mission "security" personnel, were detained by transit cops when they were seen videotaping subway tracks from Queens to Manhattan at 1:10 in the morning. The men later left New York. "We're concerned that Iranian agents were engaged in reconnaissance that might be used in an attack against New York City at some future date," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly told NEWSWEEK. A spokesman for the Iranian Mission in New York said he was aware of the allegations but had no immediate comment."

You're welcome Cindy.

_______________________________

Man questioned in connection with bomb threat at post office (Florida)
February 26, 2007

Authorities are questioning a man in connection with a bomb threat at about 3:45 p.m. today at the U.S. Post Office at the corner of Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard in Golden Gate. The post office, along with nearby businesses, were evacuated and southbound traffic on Collier Boulevard was shut down at the 23rd Avenue intersection because of the incident.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Stephanie Spell gave this account:
A man walked into the post office shortly after 3 p.m. with a package to mail. The clerk then asked him routine questions about his package. “He did say that it contained a bomb” Spell said. The man then left, leaving the package behind. The clerk thought the package smelled like gasoline.

Deputies were able to detain the man and he is being questioned. He has not been arrested. Deputies also located the man’s vehicle behind the post office. “The vehicle did appear to contain some suspicious items,” Spell said. Authorities did not disclose what was found inside the vehicle. The package was still being examined.

Excerpted

http://www.bonitanews.com/news/2007/feb/26/bomb_threat_possibility_closes_section_collier_bou/?latest

I understand where you are coming from HipShot. The older I get the higher my cynicism meter reads.

Stepping back in time to November 2003:

INTERNET HAGANAH (WASHINGTON POST): "FREEH LINKS IRAN TO KHOBAR BOMBING" (December 19, 2003)

NewsMax.com: "MOSQUE LINKED TO '93 WTC BOMBING FUNDED BIN LADEN" (November 26, 2003)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Report No. 23: "THE 'ISLAMIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT' OF THE SAUDI EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, D.C." by Steven Stalinsky (November 26, 2003)

WorldNetDaily.com: "REPORT: IRANIANS HIDING BIN LADEN Disguised Al-Qaida Leaders Plotting Attacks, Tehran Helping Warlord Retake Afghanistan" (November 21, 2003)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Dispatch Series No.614: "A DEBATE IN THE SAUDI PRESS ON DIALOGUE WITH SAUDI AL-QA'IDA MEMBERS" (November 21, 2003)

INSIGHT On The News online: "ALERT SYSTEM'S DEAFENING SILENCE" by Kelly Patricia O'Meara (November 18, 2003)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER Special Dispatch Series No. 609: "AL-QA'IDA COMMANDER IN IRAQ: 'A TERROR ATTACK AGAINST THE U.S. WITH 100,000 DEATHS IS IMMINENT; WE ORDERED THE RIYADH BOMBING'" (November 14, 2003)

"http://64.246.51.45/vb" - THREAD ID No. 96276 (Discussion Forum Message in Arabic) (Note: See MEMRI.org article above.)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Alert No.12: "AL-QA'IDA WEBSITE ISSUES RAMADAN WARNING OF IMMINENT ATTACKS: CALLS ON MUSLIMS IN DC, NY, AND LA TO LEAVE THOSE CITIES" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A communique issued by the previously unknown "Islamic Bayan Movement" warns Muslims that they should leave Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles. The warning initially appeared on the website of Global Islamic Media, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalislamicmedia/message/173. The same website has, in recent months, published many communiques by Jihad groups around the world, as well as Islamic ideological material. The communique has since appeared on the Al-Qa'ida affiliated website Al-Faroq.") (November 4, 2003) (Read More...)

groups.yahoo.com - DALEEL_AL-MOJAHID Message No.18: "this is the last call for muslims in newyork,the east side, and LA to start leaving. the mojahideen are now ready to teach the US a lesson it will never forget inshalaah. alaaaaaaah akbaaaaaar. daleel_almojahid" -Posted by "daleel_almojahid" (November 3, 2003) (Note: This web site closed.)

Ping

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1777773/posts?page=1272#1272

Excellent compilation of "some things just never change" information Cindy, thank you. Snicker - you even have Daleel in there :-)

Bomb Attack Prevented in Moscow
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Security officials prevented a bomb attack in Moscow the day before the country celebrated a national holiday last week, police said Monday. The Federal Security Service and city police detained a 29-year-old man from Dagestan with a 500-gram explosive device on a trolleybus in northwest Moscow on Feb. 22.

"The 'hellish device' was in a solid cylinder, and filled with buckshot, nails and other pieces of metal," the police said in an e-mailed statement. The man, identified as Farid Magomedov, was traveling to a metro station and had a remote-controlled detonator in his pocket, police said.

The arrest came one day before five policemen were killed when a bomb exploded in Chechnya on Defenders of the Fatherland Day. Five more officers lost their lives Monday in a blast in the region, Interfax reported.

http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2007/02/27/019.html

Algeria: Eight Suspected Al-Queda Militants Arrested

Algiers, 26 Feb. - Algerian police have arrested eight people suspected of being members of a Salafite group which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and is believed to have carried out deadly attacks earlier this month, London-based Arabic daily al-Sharq al-Awsat reported on Monday citing local security sources.

The suspects, aged between 24 and 45, were arrested in Tizi Ouzu and Bourmedes, in Algeria's eastern Kabylia area, and in the capital Algiers. They are reportedly charged with supporting an armed group and planning attacks against public figures.

Excerpted

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Terrorism&loid=8.0.389918319&par=0

Radical Cleric To Be Deported From Britain

London, 26 Feb. - A British court on Monday ruled the government can deport radical Muslim cleric Omar Othman - known as Abu Qatada - to his native Jordan. Home Secretary John Reid welcomed the decision, seen as the first test of a crucial part of anti-terror policies.

The government considers Othman a national security threat and wants to deport him under diplomatic assurances from Jordan that it will not torture him. But Othman's lawyers and human rights groups oppose his repatriation, saying Jordan's promises are unreliable.

Excerpted

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Terrorism&loid=8.0.389898562&par=0

Snickering back...but his link expired.
Smiling...

Good to know the terrorists' communication is restricted.
Thanks, Oorang.

UPDATING 1 LINK IN POST NO. 1272:

UPDATED URL:

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sa&ID=SA1203

Special Alert - No. 12
November 4, 2003 No.12

"Al-Qa'ida Website Issues Ramadan Warning of Imminent Attacks: Calls on Muslims in DC, NY, and LA to Leave Those Cities"

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A communiqué issued by the previously unknown "Islamic Bayan Movement" warns Muslims that they should leave Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles.

The warning initially appeared on the website of Global Islamic Media, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalislamicmedia/message/173 . The same website has, in recent months, published many communiqués by Jihad groups around the world, as well as Islamic ideological material. The communiqué has since appeared on the Al-Qa'ida affiliated website Al-Faroq. [1]

The communiqué was signed on the fifth of Ramadan, but was published on November 3, 2003, under the title "A Warning to the Muslims in America.""

Will be interesting to see what develops there.

Ah, thanks Cindy. Brings back memories of TM #1.
My goodness, we've been at this a long time.