Threat Matrix: June 2007

Previous Thread ^

[nwctwx]

British Intelligence: Al-Qaida Expanding
-Full Story-

British intelligence officials said they believe that al-Qaida has a secure base in Pakistan's Waziristan region and is planning terrorist operations.

The group is reaching out to Muslims in North Africa, The Telegraph reported. Last year, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, an Algerian terrorist group, merged itself into al-Qaida, a move announced by Osama bin Laden's chief lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in a tape promising action against the "apostates" in the Algerian government and "the treacherous sons of France."

Al-Qaida is also believed to be planning expansion into Lebanon and Syria, the newspaper report said.

	U.S. Battles al-Qaida in Baghdad
	U.S. Terror Expert Says Nuclear Risk Low
	Is North African Militant New Face of al-Qaida?

Thread Forty-Nine

Previous | TM Index

TM Terrorism Handbook

TM 'Be on the Lookout'

Godzilla's Summaries

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

Search: News | Images

Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston

[Oorang]

Secret Pakistan Plutonium Plant Revealed
June 22, 2007

Pakistan has almost built a previously unknown plutonium-producing reactor at Khushab, approximately 109 miles south of Pakistan's capital Islamabad, the third of its kind, a satellite photograph revealed. Developing such new generation weapons are much more dangerous as it can be easily launched via missiles. David Albright, the president of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), along with DigitalGlobe, provided the satellite image to ABC News.

The Pakistani Embassy did not comment on the revelation suggesting that Pakistan may be planning to expand its nuclear weapons cache. Pakistan's nuclear plants at Khushab are not subject to safeguard inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, as it has not signed the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. India and Israel are the other two countries that opted out of the international treaty designed to promote cooperation in achieving nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20070622\ACQRTT200706220221RTTRADERUSEQUITY_0061.htm&selected=9999&selecteddisplaysymbol=9999&StoryTargetFrame=_top&mkt=WORLD&chk=unchecked&lang=&link=&headlinereturnpage=http://www.international.nasd

Hack Attack Forces Pentagon To Take Computers Offline
Jun 22, 2007

The U.S. Department of Defense was hit by a security breach Wednesday that forced the military agency to take an estimated 1,500 computers offline. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates said at a press conference on Thursday that the e-mail system in the Office of the Secretary of Defense was penetrated by hackers, and "elements" of the unclassified e-mail system were shut down in response.

Gates said the computers weren't expected to be offline for long. "The reality is that the Defense Department is constantly under attack," he said in the press conference. "We obviously have redundant systems in place, and there is no anticipated adverse impact on ongoing operations. There will be some administrative disruptions and personal inconveniences. It will come as no surprise that we aggressively monitor intrusions and have appropriate procedures to address events of this kind. But, as I say, we get perhaps hundreds of attacks a day. " He added that the DoD is investigating the security breach.

Excerpted

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=200000073

Suspicious Package Found Outside Holland Tunnel Police Activity At The Scene
Thursday, 21 Jun 2007

Most of the traffic into the Holland Tunnel is being diverted. There is a big police presence at the entrance on the New Jersey side in Jersey City. Port Authority officials say there was an accident at the tunnel and following the accident a suspicious package was found.

A robotic device is set up outside a gas station. Use alternate routes to get into New York City.

http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=3565577&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[Cindy]

Thank you Oorang.
I’ll check for updates tonight on the Holland Tunnel situation.

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1854970/posts

Terrorists killed as result of Blast in compound in Datakhel (Miramshah) identified
Online News (Pk) ^ | Saturday 23rd June, 2007

Posted on 06/22/2007 10:48:25 PM PDT by Perdogg

The terrorists who have been killed in blast in Datakhel area near the Afghan border in abandoned area of Miramshah have been identified.

Military sources while talking to Online confirmed that explosion in the suspected religious seminary in Datakhel area near the Afghan border on Wednesday claimed 33 lives out of which 27 persons including four injured have been identified as foreigners.

Military sources further confirmed that out of 23 deceased, 19 have been identified as Arab, while four belonged to Turkmenistan.

(Excerpt) Read more at onlinenews.com.pk ...

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1854972/posts

U.S. military intercepts target ballistic missile in Hawaii test (First intercept from a destroyer)
Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | June 22, 2207

Posted on 06/22/2007 11:16:38 PM PDT by HAL9000

Excerpts -

HONOLULU (AP) - The US military intercepted a mid-range target missile in a test off Hawaii today.
~ snip ~

It hit the mid-range target’s simulated warhead 100 miles above the Earth.

The target separated mid-flight, meaning the interceptor missile had to distinguish between the warhead and booster rocket for the kill.

The test marked the first time a Navy destroyer intercepted a target missile.

Previously only Navy cruisers had done so.

~ snip ~

(Excerpt) Read more at khnl.com ...

[Cindy]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070622/NATION04/106220092/1008

Inside the Ring
Bill Gertz
June 22, 2007

“China cyber-war”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Chinese military has “developed a very sophisticated, broadly based capability to attack and degrade our computer systems and our Internet systems,” he said. The computer warfare effort by China is focused on penetrating U.S. networks to disrupt them, stealing information, “as well as computer network attack programs which would allow them to shut down critical systems at times of contingency,” he said.”

Page 2 -

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070622/NATION04/106220092/1008&template=nextpage

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “”First of all, the capability is there. They’re growing it; they see it as a major component of their asymmetric warfare capability,” Mr. Lawless said.”

[Cindy]

stepping back in time...a bit...

QUOTE - SNIPPET:

http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/005983.html

29 March 2007
New Entries
New site motto
Asymmetric Warfare: It’s not just for the other guys

New album added to the iPod
Johnny Rivers, Totally Live at the Whisky a Go Go

Quote of the day
“Espionage is not a nice thing, nor are the methods employed exemplary. Neither are demolition bombs nor poison gas... ...We face an enemy who believes one of his chief weapons is that none but he will employ terror. But we will turn terror against him...”
~ Wild Bill Donovan

[Cindy]

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070621chicago.htm

June 21, 2007

4 Bosnian nationals arrested, face deportation for concealing military service during 1995 genocide
Four Chicago-area men lied about military past to enter U.S. as refugees

CHICAGO - Four Bosnian men residing in local suburbs were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Tuesday for concealing their prior service in the Bosnian-Serb military so they could enter the United States as refugees. All four failed to disclose on their immigration applications that they had served in the Bosnian military which was involved in the genocide of thousands of Bosnian Muslims in the former Yugoslavia in 1995.

The four men arrested include: Dalibor Butina, 33; Radovan Jankovic, 61; Vlado Kecojevic, 53; all of Loves Park; and Branislaw Cancar, 47, of Schiller Park. ICE agents arrested the men on immigration charges for fraudulently entering the U.S. as refugees between 1997 and 2004. The four Bosnian men committed immigration fraud by concealing their prior service in these Bosnian-Serb military units when filing immigration applications with the U.S. government. The fraudulent applications enabled the individuals to gain refugee status, which allowed them to enter and reside in the United States.

After entering the United States and receiving refugee status, all four subsequently applied for and received U.S. permanent residence. They have been placed in deportation proceedings. They will be scheduled for hearings before a federal immigration judge who will make the final determination in their cases.

“A top priority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is to ensure that our nation’s immigration system is not exploited by those who wish to illegally gain refuge in the United States,” said Elissa A. Brown, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. “We focus our efforts on those individuals who enter this country under false pretenses, especially those who hide their military past.” Brown oversees a six-state area which includes: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Identifying and removing persecutors and human rights violators from the United States is one of ICE’s top enforcement programs. To achieve this goal, ICE created its Human Rights Violators Unit, with a specific mandate to deny safe haven to human rights violators by bringing to bear a full range of investigative techniques and legal authorities to identify, locate, investigate and remove them from the United States. ICE has currently identified more than 800 cases from 85 countries involving suspected human rights violators.

ICE encourages the public to provide any information they may have regarding human rights abusers living in the United States. Nationwide, anonymous tips may be reported at 1-866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423).

— ICE —

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070621puertorico1.htm

June 21, 2007

Dominican citizen attempting to conceal $25K arrested in Puerto Rico by ICE

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico— A 39-year-old Dominican citizen who attempted to leave the Mayaguez Seaport without declaring excess currency in the amount of approximately $25,000 was arrested here Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents.

ICE worked jointly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify Maria Elena Jimenez who attempted to circumvent U.S. laws by lying to CBP inspectors. Jimenez, who was traveling from Mayaguez to the Dominican Republic, informed CBP inspectors at pre-clearance that she only had $3,000 to declare.

Further inspection revealed that Jimenez was traveling with approximately $25,000 concealed in her luggage.

ICE special agents charged Jimenez for failure to report U.S. currency in excess of $10,000 in violation of Title 31, United States Code (USC), Section 5316. The case has been accepted for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.

“Those who think that they can circumvent our laws undetected must think twice,” said Manuel Oyola Torres, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. “ICE and CBP will continue working as a team to identify and arrest those who attempt to break our laws.”

Jimenez is in U.S. Marshal’s custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico awaiting the outcome of her case.

The ICE investigation into this case is ongoing. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

— ICE —

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070621sanjuan.htm

June 21, 2007

Woman attempting to smuggle more than 3 kilos of cocaine into the U.S. arrested by ICE in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—A 46-year-old woman who attempted to smuggle approximately 3.59 kilograms of cocaine into the United States was arrested Friday at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents acting on a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lead.

Beatrice West Viola arrived in San Juan from Dominica and was referred to a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The inspection revealed that she was carrying approximately 3.59 kilograms of cocaine wrapped around her waist and thighs.

“It is very sad to see to what lengths drug smugglers will go to evade detection,” said Manuel Oyola Torres, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. “Smugglers seeking to bring their drugs into our community must think twice. You will be found and arrested.”

West Viola was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo where she is awaiting the outcome of her case.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood.

The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

— ICE —

[Cindy]

UPDATE...

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_173080525.html

Jun 22, 2007 9:14 am US/Eastern

“Huge Delays At Inbound Holland Tunnel
Police Detonate Suspicious Package At Height Of A.M. Rush”

(CBS) NEW YORK

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Police detonated a suspicious package shortly after 8 a.m.

The tunnel reopened to traffic before 8:10 a.m., but motorists should expect huge delays.”

[Cindy]

Adding to post no. 1065...

PREVIOUSLY...

WASHINGTON TIMES.com - Inside the Ring: "CHINA ARMING TERRORISTS" by Bill Gertz (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "New intelligence reveals China is covertly supplying large quantities of small arms and weapons to insurgents in Iraq and the Taliban militia in Afghanistan, through Iran.") (June 15, 2007) (Read More...)

[Cindy]

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/4603/2047488870101589692S600x600Q85.jpg

blog:

http://laotze.blogspot.com/2007/06/beneath-planet-of-taliban-according-to.html

22 June 2007
“Beneath the Planet of the Taliban”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hamas

#

NOTE: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1854989/posts

‘We Will Try to Form an Islamic Society’: Hamas co-founder
Der Spiegel Online ^ | 06/22/2007 | Ulrike Putz

Posted on 06/23/2007 2:02:00 AM PDT by Republicain

Mahmoud Zahar — a founder of Hamas, and one of its most militant hardliners — has called for an Islamic state in the Gaza Strip. After the Hamas takeover of the territory last week, he’s also threatened Fatah with more violence in the West Bank.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: After heavy fighting, Hamas won control over the Gaza Strip last Saturday. But it’s not clear what your party now intends to do. The assumption in the Western world is that Hamas wants to establish an Islamic state in Gaza. Is this true?

Zahar: Of course. We want to do that, but with full support of the people. At the moment we can’t establish an Islamic state because we Palestinians have no state. As long as we don’t have a state, we will try to form an Islamic society.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: How would a Hamas-led Islamic state look?

Zahar: There would be no difference from how it looks today, because our customs and traditions in Gaza are already Islamic. Marriage, divorce, daily business — everything is Islamic. As soon as we have a state, then everyone will have their freedom. Christians will remain Christians, parties could be secular or even Communist.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: If an Islamic state is the ideal, why are there not more of them?

Zahar: If there were free and fair elections throughout the Arab world, Islamic forms of government would win everywhere. Islam is against the corruption, weakening, and materialism which have destroyed societies in Europe and America. Families are broken (in the West); there are AIDS and drugs. We don’t have such things here.

(Excerpt) Read more at spiegel.de ...

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12480&Itemid=21

June 23, 2007
Release A070623a

3 suspects detained for questioning

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained three suspects during operations before dawn on Saturday in Sadr City as part of an effort to deny Iranian influence in Iraq.

Saturday, Coalition Forces working with Iraqi informants conducted an operation to capture suspected terrorists with ties to Iran. The assault force detained three suspects for questioning.

Iranian surrogates are suspected of smuggling explosively formed projectiles (EFP) and other munitions to be used against Coalition Forces and civilians in order to further destabilize Iraq and fuel sectarian violence.

“Coalition Forces are determined to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, pursuing those suspected of smuggling arms and other forms of lethal aid into Iraq. Disrupting the bombing network in Baghdad remains a high priority for us, and we will continue to target the cells’ leaders and members,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12469&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070622-05
June 22, 2007

Suspected terrorists attempt to escape in ambulance
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Coalition Forces intercepted an ambulance carrying seven suspected al-Qaida operatives attempting to circumvent security elements operating in Baqouba, June 19.

Local doctors called the Diyala Provincial Joint Coordination Center and reported five children injured near Khatoon, a neighborhood in southwest Baqouba, Iraq. The PJCC dispatched an ambulance to that location.

Later, the ambulance was seen heading north on a road northwest of New Baqouba when it bypassed the road that led to the hospital.

The ambulance was stopped by alert Soldiers from 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., who are conducting missions in the area as part of Operation Arrowhead Ripper.

Soldiers checked the ambulance and found a driver and six men, who appeared to be in their 20s and 30s, two of which were injured. There were no children in the ambulance.

CF provided medical treatment to the wounded men and detained all seven.

“Using emergency service vehicles to move fighters and equipment is a common tactic of al-Qaida in Iraq,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of 3rd SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. “We are controlling ambulances and other service vehicles in the city to ensure they are being used legitimately.”

ISF and Coalition Soldiers continue to use a variety of security measures to prevent al-Qaida operatives from using emergency response vehicles to move fighters, munitions or as a disguise for car bombs.

-30-

[Cindy]

http://www.billroggio.com/cgi-bin/cms/mt-search.cgi?tag=Pakistan&blog_id=7

http://www.billroggio.com/cgi-bin/cms/mt-search.cgi?tag=Afghanistan&blog_id=7

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=waziristan

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1854999/posts

“Eight killed in N Waziristan air raid”
The News ^ | June 23, 2007 | Staff

Posted on 06/23/2007 3:48:31 AM PDT by csvset

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sat Jun 23 2007 04:10:14 GMT-0700.

LEBANON

June 14, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_922.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sat Jun 23 2007 04:11:30 GMT-0700.

ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA

January 17, 2007

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Jun 23 2007 04:13:31 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated October 11, 2006 and expires on October 9, 2007.

The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

Ongoing events in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.

In August 2006, British authorities arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. The September 2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and the March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan illustrate the continuing desire of extremists to strike American targets.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. The bomb attacks targeting buses carrying foreign workers in March 2007 and December 2006 in Algeria, a series of bombings in Thailand in May and September 2006 that targeted commercial and tourist destinations in the far south, and the bombings in the the Egyptian resort town of Dahab in April 2006 all illustrate how terrorists exploit vulnerabilities associated with soft targets. Additional examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Financial or economic targets of value may also be considered as possible venues; the vehicle-based suicide attack on an oil facility near Mukalla and Marib in Yemen in September 2006 and the failed attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late February 2006 are such examples.

In the wake of the August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, numerous terrorist attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July 2005 London Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov .

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov . In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

[Cindy]

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