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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, Thu Jul 12 2007 05:10:54 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.

Adding 1 link to post no. 1151 for archival purposes.

July 13, 2007

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://philadelphia.fbi.gov/doj/pressrel/2007/ph071307.htm

FORMER WILKES-BARRE MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTING TO
PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO AL-QAEDA AND RELATED CHARGES

Thomas A. Marino, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Michael Curtis Reynolds, age 49, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was convicted by a jury of attempting to provide material support to Al-Qaeda and related charges. He faces 67½ in prison. The jury returned the guilty verdicts in the courtroom of United States Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik after about an hour of deliberation.

According to U.S. Attorney Marino, the evidence at trial established that starting in October 2005, Michael Curtis Reynolds began an attempt to aid a foreign terrorist organization—Al-Qaeda. Reynolds’ plan was to help Al-Qaeda units that he believed existed in Canada and this country to make an attempt to destroy fuel pipelines servicing the United States. He was motivated to solicit and assist in this proposed attack because he disagreed with war in Iraq, was angered by the revocation of his passport while he was in Thailand, and by his own personal greed.

Fortunately Reynolds’ plan was reported to the FBI just as it was beginning. From that point, a cooperating witness and later an FBI Special Agent posing as an Al-Qaeda terrorist communicated with Reynolds over the Internet about his scheme. Posing as that terrorist, for approximately a month they discussed with Reynolds his targets and other details of his plan. This communication over the Internet involved more than 50 messages and lasted until December 5, 2005, when FBI Special Agents arrested Reynolds at a desolate rest stop near Pocatello, Idaho, commonly known in the area as Hell’s Half Acre. Reynolds was arrested when he arrived to pick up what he believed would be $40,000, which was partial payment for his services and future services to the Al-Qaeda terrorists.

The evidence at trial also established that Reynolds possessed an unregistered grenade within his storage locker in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Reynolds was convicted of attempting to provide material support to Al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization; attempting to provide material support and resources to be used in maliciously damaging or destroying property by means of force or explosive; soliciting others to engage in a felony using physical force against property; distributing over the Internet information to be used in furtherance of a crime of violence; and possession of an unregistered grenade. The jury acquitted him of another unregistered-grenade charge.

U.S. Attorney Marino stated, “Because of the astute work of the FBI, the diabolical plans of a wouldbe Al-Qaeda sympathizer were uncovered. Individuals such as Reynolds represent a threat to our safety. I commend the FBI and everyone involved in the prosecution of this case for bringing him to justice.”

Reynolds is presently imprisoned at the Lackawanna County Jail in Scranton, Pennsylvania, pending his sentencing which will occur in approximately five months.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus.