Threat Matrix: July 2007

Threat Matrix:
July 2007

June 2007

Threat Matrix Index

Theat Matrix Handbook

Theat Matrix 'BOLO'

Invaluable Tips

Preparedness

US Steps Up Security Following Attack in Britain

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff made appearances on several television talk shows.

He told ABC's This Week program there is no indication of a linkage between the events in Britain and any specific attacks on the United States. "We do not have, at this point, specific, credible intelligence that there is an attack, a particular attack, focused on this country," he said.

But at the same time, speaking on CNN's Late Edition program, Chertoff said U.S. authorities are concerned about the threat of terrorism, especially in the coming months. "We have had a number of al-Qaida leaders quite publicly talking about how they want to carry out their threats against the West. So, given that and given the history that we have had over past summers, with attacks in Britain, I think we were clearly focused on this as a possibility," he said. Full story...

	More United Kingdom Attacks Possible
	More US Air Marshals on Flights to Europe
	Officials: Car Bomb Plot Bears al Qaida's Trademark

I have two of these, I think I will throw them away.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,289859,00.html

FDA: Castleberry’s, Austex and Kroger Brands Chili Sauces Linked to Paralyzing Botulism

Thursday, July 19, 2007

WASHINGTON — Federal health officials warned consumers Wednesday to throw away certain cans of hot dog chili sauce after the product was linked to the first cases of botulism in commercially canned foods in decades.

Four people were hospitalized. The warning applies to 10-ounce cans of Castleberry’s, Austex and Kroger brands of hot dog chili sauce with “best by” dates from April 30, 2009, through May 22, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration said. It wasn’t immediately clear how widely the products were distributed.

The contamination by the toxin is extremely rare for a commercially canned product. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention medical epidemiologist Dr. Michael Lynch said the last such U.S. case dates to the 1970s. The roughly 25 cases reported each year typically involved home-canned foods, Lynch said.

Thanks for the heads up dryman’s wife.

Let’s add the links from the local WATE-TV news.

http://www.wate.com/

http://wate.images.worldnow.com/images/6812001_BG1.jpg

http://wate.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/news/Roy_Oakley_charges.pdf

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=6812001

“Former Bechtel Jacobs contract worker charged with trying to sell nuclear secrets”

July 19, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “KNOXVILLE (WATE) — A former Bechtel Jacobs contract worker is charged with trying to sell stolen, classified Department of Energy material used for enriching uranium to foreign governments.

Roy Lynn Oakley, 65 (some sources have said he’s 67), of Roane County, has reportedly been arrested twice in the investigation. His first arrest and release came months ago. Then, he was arrested again on Thursday by the FBI.

Oakley appeared in federal court in Knoxville Thursday afternoon. He’s charged with two counts of possessing hardware used in uranium enrichment, according to the federal indictment unsealed in court.

If he’s convicted, he would have violated the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office says Oakley is accused of taking the material to his property from October 17, 2006 until January 26 of this year. He’s also accused of disclosing to someone that he had the material on January 26.

Oakley is accused of trying to sell the material to undercover FBI agents at McGhee Tyson Airport on January 26, the same day he and his wife’s mobile home was raided in Roane County’s Midtown Community.”

Chemical found in canisters underground at Newcastle airport (U.K.)
Thursday July 19 2007

A smoking chemical found in glass bottles has caused a scare at Newcastle airport today. Workers excavating land close to a runway at the airport discovered ten canisters filled with an unknown liquid.

The area, which is only yards from the terminal building, has been made safe and the chemical removed for analysis by the Fire and Rescue Service. A spokesman says the substance isn't thought to be explosive and may have been underground for some time.

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/world-news/europe/chemical-found-in-canisters-underground-at-newcastle-airport-1040337.html

Were terror notes a joke? (Minnesota)
07/18/2007

A search warrant filed in Hennepin County connects a shooting investigation to a possible terror plot. According to court documents, four Somali teenage males were riding in a cab on June 24 the same night a man was shot in the chest around 9:00 p.m. Video surveillance at the Glendale Housing Projects captured the cab fleeing near the scene of the shooting.

Police were able to identify the taxicab and located the vehicle at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport four days later. Inside the cab, police found a handwritten note describing acts of terrorism and bombings. Police questioned an 18-year-old relative of the cab owner who confessed to being the driver of cab on June 24.

Minneapolis Police turned the terrorism note over to federal authorities and said they will "Further aid in their investigation of possible acts of terrorism against Unites States." Taxi drivers at the airport on Wednesday told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that they thought it was all a joke.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S142016.shtml

Duke, UNC to study Muslim communities
Jul 19, 2007

Researchers at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will join together for a two-year study on how American Muslims address messages of extremism in their communities, UNC-CH announced today. The study, which the Department of Justice is funding with $349,000, will examine Muslim communities in Buffalo, N.Y., Houston, Texas, Seattle and the Triangle.

"In light of the recent events in London and Glasgow, it is critically important to understand why windspread radicalization has not occurred in the United States and take steps to reinforce this trend," said David Schanzer, a visiting professor at Duke and adjunct professor at UNC, in a statement. Schanzer, an investigator of the study, directs the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security, a Research Triangle Park think tank.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/642629.html

Secretary Chertoff Visits Islamic Center in Dearborn
Thursday, July 19th, 2007

Secretary Chertoff met this week with religious leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions at the Karbaala Islamic Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Imam al-Husainy of the Karbaala Islamic Center hosted the visit.

Secretary Chertoff was joined by United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena, and Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Daniel Sutherland.

http://www.pakistanlink.com/Community/2007/July07/20/03.HTM

NY man charged over arms exports to Malaysia
Jul 19, 2007

NEW YORK - U.S. authorities charged a New York man on Thursday with illegally exporting to Malaysia parts for F-5 and F-14 military fighter jets that officials said were likely destined for Iran.

Jilani Humayun, 59, a resident of Long Island, NY, has been charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. 'Humayun is ... is alleged to have knowingly shipped technology as dangerous as F-5 and F-14 parts to Malaysia without any regard for the ultimate destination,' U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said in a statement. 'As is well-documented in public reports, the sole customer of F-14 parts is the Iranian Air Force,' he said.

Prosecutors said that in 2003 Humayun, whose nationality was not immediately available, had unsuccessfully applied for an export license to send military equipment to a company in Malaysia. But then he set up a company called Vash International and between January 2004 and May 2006 exported to Malaysia F-5 and F-14 fighter-jet parts, as well as certain Chinook helicopter parts, in 11 unauthorized shipments, prosecutors said.

'Humayun also acknowledged during an interview that the (Malaysian) company is Vash International's largest customer and that Humayun did not know who the 'end users' are of the items that were shipped,' authorities said in a statement.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/usa/news/article_1332359.php/NY_man_charged_over_arms_exports_to_Malaysia

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1741897/posts?page=326#326

Thanks to ButThreeLeftsDo for pointing/pinging to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1868383/posts

“Democrats want ‘John Doe’ provision cut”
Washington Times ^ | July 19, 2007 | Audrey Hudson

Posted on 07/19/2007 7:40:49 AM PDT by Verloona Ti

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=26305_Democrats_Want_CAIR_to_Be_Able_to_Sue_You

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YzU1NjliMGI4NTJiYzcwYTRlOWJhYTI5NDI1ZDU4NjQ=

###
###

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/WEEKEND01/70719001/1001

“Democrats want ‘John Doe’ provision cut”
By Audrey Hudson
July 19, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Democrats are trying to pull a provision from a homeland security bill that will protect the public from being sued for reporting suspicious behavior that may lead to a terrorist attack, according to House Republican leadership aides.”

326 posted on 07/19/2007 3:37:33 PM PDT by Cindy

July 19, 2007

Adding 1 press release to post no. 1727:

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/July/07_nsd_523.html

Former Oak Ridge Bechtel Jacobs Employee
Charged with Violating Atomic Energy Act

WASHINGTON—A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Tennessee has charged a former contract worker at East Tennessee Technology Park with converting to his own use restricted government materials utilized for uranium enrichment and illegally transferring these restricted materials to another person, with reason to believe the materials would be used to injure the United States and secure an advantage to a foreign country.

The indictment of Roy Lynn Oakley, age 67, of Roane County, Tennessee, was announced today by Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Kenneth L. Wainstein; U.S. Attorney James R. “Russ” Dedrick; and, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Richard Lambert. Oakley, who was arrested today by the FBI, is a former employee of Bechtel Jacobs, the Department of Energy’s prime environmental management contractor at East Tennessee Technology Park. He will have an initial appearance concerning these charges before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Knoxville on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

The indictment is the result of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Counterintelligence. The Counterespionage Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Counterterrorism Unit worked with the investigative personnel in support of the investigation and will prosecute the case.

U.S. Attorney Dedrick said, “One of our top priorities in east Tennessee is to protect the mission, facilities, and personnel at Oak Ridge from both external and internal threats.”

Assistant Attorney General Wainstein said, “While none of the stolen equipment was ever transmitted to a foreign government or terrorist organization, the facts of this case demonstrate the importance of safeguarding our nuclear technology and pursuing aggressive prosecutions against those who attempt to breach the safeguards and put that technology in the wrong hands.”

“The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Reservation is entrusted with safeguarding sensitive materials and we remain vigilant in detecting and reporting all potential threats to these materials to federal authorities. Security is essential to the mission of the Department of Energy. This investigation demonstrates the strength of our system and importance of a coordinated federal effort in bringing justice to individuals who pose a threat to our security,” said Gerald Boyd, Manager of the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

Representatives from DOE also stated that scientists have examined the materials and have determined the “barrier” and related materials involved in this investigation posed no threat to persons who may have wittingly or unwittingly come in contact with them. Specifically, Count 1 of the Indictment charges that on January 26, 2007, Roy Lynn Oakley, having possession of, access to, and having been entrusted with sections of “barriers” and associated hardware used for uranium enrichment through the process of gaseous diffusion which constituted appliances within the meaning of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and which involved and incorporated Restricted Data within the meaning of Title 42, United States Code, Section 2014(y), and the said, Roy Lynn Oakley, having reason to believe that such data would be utilized to injure the United States and secure an advantage to a foreign nation, did communicate, transmit, and disclose such data to another person in violation of the Atomic Energy Act, specifically Title 42 United States Code, Section 2274(b).

If convicted of this offense, Mr. Oakley could be imprisoned for up to ten (10) years, ordered to serve a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years, fined up to $250,000, and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.

Count 2 of the Indictment charges that beginning on or about October 17, 2006, and continuing up to and including on or about January 26, 2007, Mr. Oakley, did willfully and knowingly convert to his own use property which belonged to the United States Department of Energy, specifically, sections of “barriers” and associated hardware used for uranium enrichment through the process of gaseous diffusion which involved and incorporated Restricted Data within the meaning of Title 42, United States Code, Section 2014(y), and which had a value exceeding $1,000.

If convicted of this offense, Mr. Oakley could be imprisoned for up to ten years, ordered to serve a term of supervised release, fined up to $250,000 and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

###

07-523

Ahmadinejad: It will be a 'hot' summer

It's going to be a "hot" summer in the Middle East, said Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad following a surprise meeting with Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah in Damascus on Thursday evening, Channel 10 reported.

Nasrallah allegedly entered Syria via an underground tunnel, the television channel said.

"We hope that the hot weather of this summer will coincide with similar victories for the region's peoples, and with consequent defeat for the region's enemies," Ahmadinejad added, in an apparent reference to Israel.

During his one-day trip to Damascus, Ahmadinejad held talks with counterpart Bashar Assad which focused on the Iraq situation, Palestinian territories and Lebanon, where both Teheran and Damascus wield influence.

"The enemies of the region should abandon plans to attack the interests of this region, or they would be burned by the wrath of the region's peoples," the hardline Iranian leader said at a joint press conference with Assad.

Ahmadinejad, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was greeted at Damascus airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem ahead of the official reception by Assad at the People's Palace. Assad was sworn in Tuesday for a second seven-year term.

He described Syrian-Iranian relations as "amicable, excellent and extremely deep," adding that the two countries have common stands on regional issues and face common enemies.

Assad said Ahmadinejad's visit came in the context of the continuous developing relations between the two nations whose "farsighted policies" have proven to be correct.

The Syrian leader said they also discussed "ways of restoring dialogue among all Palestinian factions." Syria also backed Iran's right to pursue a nuclear program and the two called for the "departure of all occupation forces" from Iraq - a reference to US troops.

Earlier, Ahmadinejad told Islamic Jihad Secretary General Ramdan-Abdullah Shalakh that Iran's role in the Middle East was "to support the armed struggle of the Palestinian people."

The Iranian president stressed the importance of unity between all Palestinian factions.

Ahmadinejad also called on all countries in the region to be vigilant of Israel's attempts to revive itself following its "failure" of the Second Lebanon War.

Ahmadinejad's visit posed a snub to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has called on Syria to cut its relations with Iran as a precondition to restart peace process, deadlocked since 2000.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.