http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=greece
Note: The following translation is a quote:
http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/001142.htm
May 18, 2007
Greek Authorities Keep Muslim Extremists in Greece Under Close Surveillance
Translated from the Greek Athens Ta Nea paper by OSC:
The authorities are looking for traces of al-Qa’ida after related reports by European authorities. Dozens of Muslims are under discreet surveillance, while the arrest in Greece of an al-Qa’ida operative has raised the alertness level.
According to intelligence sources, operatives working for the terrorist organization have used Greece as a “support country,” and after the capture of an operative in Greece, Europol has asked our government to intensify the search for potential Islamist extremists.
High-ranking Counter-Terror Squad officials told Ta Nea that “in practice, this means that branches of al-Qa’ida active in Europe and North Africa may use Greece as an initial point of entry into Europe for their members, either through the use of forged travel documents or through illegal immigration routes.”
Arrest in Kipous
The most significant capture of a Muslim terrorist linked to the al-Qa’ida network occurred on 13 September 2005, when Moroccan national Anwar Mazrar was arrested at the Kipous Customs Station on the Greek-Turkish border.
Mazrar was wanted by the French and Moroccan authorities for membership in an organization of fanatical Muslims acting as an al-Qa’ida branch in Morocco. The fundamentalist organization had been accused of a number of bombings in Morocco, and sources claims Mazrar was one of its top officials. Hunted by the Moroccan police, he had managed to escape to France, where with the help of fellow Muslims he is reported to have set up a network of extremists. He had next traveled to an Arab country on a forged French passport.
Extradition to Morocco
French intelligence informed the Greek authorities that Mazrar would try to enter Greece from Turkey on a bus route between Istanbul and Thessaloniki. Immediately after his arrest, all the necessary procedures were put into effect, and Mazrar was extradited to Morocco, where he was tried for his membership in the Islamic extremist organization. The Moroccan refused to reveal the reason for his trip to Greece, although related reports indicated he was planning to stay for some time.
Under Surveillance
A high-ranking Counter-Terror Squad official had told Ta Nea that groups of immigrants from North African countries, primarily from Morocco and Algeria, are currently under surveillance. A total of around 7,000 North African immigrants are currently living in Greece. Counter-Terror Squad note, however, that few of them draw the attention of the authorities. Sources report two imams from North Africa suspected of membership in extremist Islamic organizations in Algeria are currently under surveillance. Several groups of Pakistanis that have reportedly been joined by fundamentalists are also being watched. Another group is made up of Kurds from Iraq and Turkey, and Arab nationals. Authorities are focusing on 20 mosques that usually operate under the label of cultural associations.
Concern About the Arrests of “Hellenized” Arabs
Another element that increases concerns within the authorities is the fact that over the past five years, a number of Arab Muslim fundamentalists carrying Greek passports have been arrested in European countries. “Hellenized” Arabs have been arrested in Britain, Portugal, France, Italy and Holland. It was discovered that the Arabs had acquired the forged documents from networks of forger compatriots, some of whom were not even in Greece. Around 10-15 of those arrested while carrying forged Greek documents were suspected of membership in extremist Islamic organizations.
According to Public Order ministry officials, he forged passports had been issued based on the old system, and that there are no reports from Europol about arrests with the new passports. Authorities in other European countries, however, report that Muslims travel across other EU countries with forged Greek passports that allows them to travel from country to country without any control.
In response to calls for clarifications about the ease with which illegal immigrants have crossed into Greece and then used forged documents to cross to other European countries, domestic authorities cite the difficulties they face in protecting borders.
Posted on 18 May 2007 @ 16:30 GMT
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.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, Fri May 18 2007 18:00:38 GMT-0700.
Middle East and North Africa
May 14, 2007
This Public Announcement is being updated to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East and North Africa, including ongoing violence in Iraq. 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 20, 2006 and expires on November 20, 2007.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. 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. The September 2006 attack by assailants used improvised explosives, gunfire, and vehicles laden with explosives on the U.S. Embassy in Syria. A bombing targeting a bus transporting foreign workers of a U.S. company in Algeria took place in December 2006. There was a series of bombings in Morocco in March and April 2007, two of which occurred simultaneously outside the U.S. Consulate General and the private American Language Center in Casablanca. Additionally, an attack took place on the American International School in Gaza in April 2007. These events underscore the intent of terrorist entities to target facilities perceived to cater to Westerners. Potential targets are not limited to those companies or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance, terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores, bars, casinos, or any similar type establishment, regardless of whether they are owned and operated by host country nationals. Due to varying degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when visiting these establishments.
The violence in Iraq and the clashes between Palestinians and Israelis have the potential to produce demonstrations and unrest throughout the region. In addition, 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 on the Arabian Peninsula. 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. Tourist destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners were attacked in April 2006, resulting in many deaths and injuries, including Americans. 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. Financial or economic venues of value also could be considered as possible targets; the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 and the September 2006 attack on oil facilities in Yemen are examples.
Americans considering seaborne travel near the Horn of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been several incidents of armed attacks and robberies at sea by pirates in the last year. Military action by U.S. and allied navies in several subsequent incidents resulted in the capture or death of pirates threatening international commerce. No U.S. citizens have been hurt in these attacks. When transiting around the Horn of Africa or in the Red Sea near Yemen, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and maintain good communications contact at all times.
On occasion, the travel of official personnel at embassies and consulates 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 Canada and, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.