Posted on 08/25/2007 2:26:58 PM PDT by DAVEY CROCKETT
Lowry: The CIA's record leading up to Sept. 11 was one of failure By Rich Lowry Article Last Updated: 08/25/2007 09:07:06 AM MDT
The new report from the CIA's inspector general about the spy agency's pre-9/11 failings could be titled, ''What We Did During Our Holiday From History.'' The stretch between the end of the Cold War and the Sept. 11 attacks was supposed to be a shiny new era of globalized peace and prosperity, to which an intelligence service was considered quaintly irrelevant.
The CIA conformed to the zeitgeist by remaining quaintly irrelevant. George Tenet presided over the agency, failing his way to the second-longest tenure of any director of central intelligence, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a $4 million book advance. He made the Peter Principle work for him not just by advancing to his level of incompetence, but by benefiting from it handsomely.
Congressional Democrats pushed for the release of the scathing IG report, completed back in June 2005, to embarrass the Bush administration. But most of the failures identified in the report took place during the Clinton administration, which set the CIA's skewed priorities and selected Tenet in the first place. President Bush should be embarrassed only because he didn't fire Tenet upon taking office or after 9/11, while Bush also has failed to undertake a serious retooling of the sclerotic bureaucracy that is the CIA.
Tenet took terrorism seriously, ''sounding the alarm about the threat to many different audiences,'' in the words of the report. Maybe he should have gone on a lecture tour. Where Tenet fell down was in managing his agency. The thought may be father to the deed, but without the actual deed, the thought is only political cover in after-the-fact memoirs.
Tenet insists that he had a ''robust plan'' against al-Qaida. In reality, he only thought he had. He directed that such a plan be formulated, but according to the IG report, it never happened. Worse, Tenet did not ''work with the National Security Council to elevate the relative standing of counterterrorism in the formal ranking of intelligence priorities.''
In Tenet's defense, he operated within the context of a Clinton administration that basically was uninterested in intelligence. Tenet notes that the intelligence community lost 25 percent of its personnel in the 1990s and ''tens of billions of dollars in investment compared with the 1990 baseline.'' He implored the administration for funding increases in 1998 and 1999, but had to go ''outside established channels to work with then-Speaker Gingrich to obtain a $1.2 billion budgetary supplemental.''
Even with more resources, his managers repeatedly moved funds from counterterrorism programs to other needs, without ever raiding other programs to fund counterterrorism, according to the IG report. What could be more important than counterterrorism? Analytic resources were poured into addressing more pressing matters like the Balkans and the environment.
After 9/11, Clinton officials and Tenet argued whether the CIA had been granted the authority to kill Osama bin Laden, with the Clintonites, in a bout of retrospective bloodlust, insisting that it had. The IG report finds that restrictions on the CIA killing bin Laden had been ''arguably, although ambiguously, relaxed'' for a brief period in late 1998 and early 1999 (how Clintonian). But CIA managers refused ''to take advantage of the ambiguities,'' and even if they had, the agency didn't have the covert-action capability to kill bin Laden. Such was life during history's holiday.
What's more scandalous is how the CIA has escaped serious reform even today. Two CIA directors in a row have resisted the IG report's recommendation for an accountability board to evaluate the pre-9/11 performance of CIA officials. That word - not ''board,'' but ''accountability'' - raises hackles at Langley, where everyone is above-average at fighting al-Qaida. Even though as many as 60 CIA employees knew that two of the hijackers were in the U.S. before 9/11 and no one managed to get the word to the FBI, CIA Director Michael Hayden thinks holding anyone accountable for that or other failures would be ''distracting.'' And so the band plays on.
Terror Website Offers How To Fly A Boeing 747 Video Set
September 28, 2007
A pro-terrorist web site last week posted a series of video links that reveal how to teach people to fly a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, an indication that terrorists are still planning to use hijacked aircraft in future attacks.
The web site posted a statement “On the Anniversary of Manhattan’s Attack, 18 Videos Teaching You How To Fly a Boeing 747.” The statement contains a link to Wikipedia.org to learn about the Boeing 747 aircraft and 18 links to videos teaching how to fly a Boeing 747 aircraft with narration in Arabic.
A translation of the web site stated that the “very important” videos will assist in learning “the rules and steps for take of an fly the famous Boeing 747 aircraft.”
The 18 videos were made available for downloading and were described as “high-quality.”
The videos include several sections including numerous Flight Management Computer videos, instruction on taxi, take off, ascending and autopilot, as well as gradual descent. Additional videos explain how to conduct an approach and landing, taxi to terminal, and turning off the engines.
“Then, to those who do not need to learn the last three parts, choose any target you wish and continue what the lion Sheikh Osama Bin Laden , God protect him, started,” the report said.
Source - World Tribune
[Has anyone found later or more detailed reports on this one?]
Suspicious Items Found In U-Haul Truck In Tempe Arizona
September 29, 2007
There were some tense moments at a U-Haul facility in Tempe on Friday.
A 15-foot truck was returned to the company’s Priest Drive location around 3 p.m.
When a manager opened it up, he spotted some items he thought looked suspicious.
According to Vice President of Product and Safety, “It didn’t take me long to call people let’s put it that way.”
Doug Matteson from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office explains what happened next.
“We opened it up, we saw some items that kinda looked linked to suspicious activity…we are not saying this is involved with terrorism…we saw some items that kinda bring some attention to our Deputies that work anti-terrorism. We called them out to make sure, have them go through everything.”
The Sheriff Office confirms there were no guns, explosives, or hazardous materials found in the truck.
They do say there was a messy pile of suspicious documents and files.
There were also some other items that the Sheriff’s Office said it was not prepared to comment on.
Investigators will continue combing through the documents and are trying to dig up more information about the person who last rented the truck.
Matteson would not divulge exactly what the other items were or what they were related to, only saying it was significant enough for the Maricopa County’s anti-terrorism group to be called out to investigate.
Authorities are currently checking where the truck came from and who last rented it.
Matteson said that he believes the truck has been at that U-Haul location for 3 to 6 months and that as far as he knows no one has had access to it during that time. The rental center is surrounded by fences and has a security unit, Matteson said.
[unknown url]
Violence smolders in Algeria
Associated Press
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
By AIDAN LEWIS, Associated Press Writer
The president escapes an apparent assassination attempt but nearly two
dozen others are killed. A suicide bombing by an al-Qaida affiliate
leaves at least 28 coast guard officers dead. A car bombing targets
European workers and their Algerian police escorts.
September delivered a string of spectacular setbacks to government
efforts to bring calm and prosperity to this oil- and gas-rich country.
Witnesses to the bloodiest years of Algeria’s insurgency are still
coming to terms with horrors of a decade ago even as new ones resurface.
The government’s unwillingness to examine the past and embark on reforms,
analysts say, is fueling the revived violence.
From their base in the Kabylia region just east of the capital Algiers,
isolated armed hardline Islamic groups have aligned with al-Qaida to
stage a comeback. Mostly they target local police or Algerian
authorities allied with U.S. anti-terrorism efforts, but they have threatened
French and Spanish interests, too.
Over the last year, violence has escalated with a series of bombings -
many of them suicide attacks, a new tactic in the country - against
state targets.
Algeria’s conflict began in 1992 after the army canceled the second
round of the country’s first-ever multiparty elections, stepping in to
prevent likely victory by the fundamentalist Islamic Salvation Front,
commonly known by its French acronym, FIS.
Islamist armed groups turned to force to overthrow the government, with
up to 200,000 people killed in the ensuing violence.
Recent bombings have been claimed by al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa.
That was the name adopted in January after the remnants of Algeria’s
Islamic insurgency, the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC,
formally linked with al-Qaida.
Analysts say the group appears split between militants positioning
themselves within the context of global holy war and those still focused on
toppling the Algerian government.
“As the Algerianist Islamists have either given up or postponed their
mission, you’re left with only a group of extremely radical ‘jihadis’,”
said Geoff Porter, an analyst with Eurasia Group in New York.
But he said it was not clear that this jihadist faction was in control
of the group. “It’s hard to distinguish between the former targets of
the GSPC and the newer targets of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb,”
Porter said.
Over the summer the army has bombarded and burned forests believed to
harbor rebels. The crackdowns have been focused on Kabylia, which became
a haven for armed groups because of its mountains and forested
terrain.
Algerian authorities explain the new violence as a sign of weakened
rebel groups trying to raise their profile through attacks with a high
media impact. But despite the army’s efforts to eradicate them, militants
have continued to strike.
Observers say Algeria’s instability is rooted in a closed political
system influenced by a powerful military that has failed to address
problems of social and economic distress and corruption.
In Kabylia’s provincial capital of Tizi Ouzou, some residents are
afraid to inform on militants, after seeing those they had previously
informed on return home after an amnesty.
During the height of the insurgency in the 1990s, Kabylie was
relatively calm. Now, “our first problem is insecurity, terrorism. Our second is
unemployment,” said Djilali Arar, a 29-year-old with a small video
rental business in Tizi Ouzou.
Still, Algerians are quick to point out that the violence is nothing
like it was a decade ago.
Two years ago, Algerians overwhelmingly approved Bouteflika’s peace
charter, which offered a broad amnesty to former rebels and some
compensation to victims. The charter also blocks militant leaders from
participating in politics.
In recent months, former FIS politicians and even a former armed group
leader have been pushing to form a new party.
But authorities have repeatedly ruled out such an opening. Interior
Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said earlier this month that those who
talk about a return of the FIS “should not forget that the wound is
still wide open,” according to the Algerian daily El Watan.
The wound in neighborhoods that suffered massacres a decade ago is hard
to close.
The violence in the sleepy Algiers suburbs of Bentalha and Sidi Rais in
August and September 1997 was among the worst Algeria has seen.
Throats were slit, heads severed, bodies mutilated. Bentalha residents
recount how some 200 men dressed in black shot and hacked to death as
many as 400 people in a six-hour killing spree. Women and children were
not spared.
Residents say they are still angry that security services stationed
nearby did not immediately intervene. Other witnesses, often speaking from
abroad, have accused the security forces of complicity in the
massacres.
Algeria’s government says any abuses by security forces were carried
out by rogue elements. The country’s Charter for National Peace and
Reconciliation shields security forces from accusations over their role in
the conflict.
Some in Bentalha said they were uneasy now that former rebels have been
amnestied while the victims remain unclear about who exactly
perpetrated the massacre.
“They were Algerians, they spoke our language, that’s all we know,”
said Fouad Tlidjine, 32, who saw his father and one sister killed and two
other sisters abducted during the massacre.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
US Plans Sale of RAM Missiles to Egypt
Egypt - RIM-116B Block 1A Rolling Airframe Missiles
(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; dated Sept. 28,
web-posted
Oct. 1, 2007)
[With thanks to www.defense-aerospace.com ]
WASHINGTON -— The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified
Congress of
a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of up to 139 RIM-116B Block
1A
Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) as well as associated equipment and
services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as
high as
$125 million.
The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of up to 139
RIM-116B
Block 1A Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) with MK-44 Guided Missile
Round
Packs, containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts,
publications
and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training
equipment,
U.S. Government, contractor engineering and logistics technical support
services, and other related elements of logistics support. The
estimated
cost is $125 million.
This proposed sale would contribute to the foreign policy and national
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a
friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force
for
political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. This sale
is
consistent with these U.S. objectives and with the 1950 Treaty of
Mutual
Cooperation and Security.
This proposed sale of 139 MK-116B Block 1A RAM and MK-44 Guided
Missiles
Round Packs (GMRP) provides the weapons employed by the MK-31 RAM
Guided
Missile Weapons System (GMWS) included on the Egyptian Fast Missile
Craft
(FMC).
The RAM- GMWS and missile, when coupled with the MK-15B PHALANX
Close-In
Weapon System, provides the FMC and the Egyptian Navy with an effective
defense against helicopters, anti-ship missiles, aircraft, and small
surface
craft. This capability is critical for the FMC to effectively provide
security in the approaches to the Suez Canal and the Egyptian littoral.
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Systems Corporation, Tucson,
Arizona.
There are no offset agreements associated with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of
any
additional U. S. Government or contractor personnel in country.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result
of
this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean
that
the sale has been concluded.
-ends-
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BRUTAL SHOOTING CAUGHT ON TAPE Open this result in new window
The Jersey Journal - 5 minutes ago
County homicide detectives have recovered video footage that captures the brutal murder of a Jersey City man Sunday, including images of the gunman continuing to pump bullets into the victim after he was lying on his back in the street, officials said.
* 2.
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Bridgeton News - 9 minutes ago
Good morning! Dill’s Crab & Oyster Bar will reopen Thursday at 4 p.m. and be open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to closing. They want to thank everyone for their kindness in the tragic loss of their son.
* 3.
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Everett Herald - 12 minutes ago
I did something last week that I knew was wrong, something I’d advise you never to repeat. It all started when a frazzled-looking fellow approached me outside a Marysville restaurant as I was heading in for dinner.
* 4.
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The Athens News Courier - 14 minutes ago
A sixth-grader at Owens Elementary School has been expelled from Limestone County schools for one year for pointing a BB gun at another student’s head and threatening him.
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Six Sideways, Side by Side Open this result in new window
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Northwest Herald - 25 minutes ago
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Independent Florida Alligator - 45 minutes ago
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High school violence alarms community Open this result in new window
Orion - 53 minutes ago
Shots rang from the Las Plumas High School band room in Oroville on Friday - a frightening reminder to Chico State staff and students that no campus is completely safe. Chico State officials kept their students informed by e-mail as the incident unfolded. Las Plumas teachers locked their classroom doors to protect the students and waited for an hour for police to resolve the standoff, said ...
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Bali bombers’ sentences likely cut for Ramadan
By Cindy Wockner
October 02, 2007 01:00am
* Cuts likely due to end of Ramadan
* Announcement made on bombing second anniversary
TEN terrorists involved in the Bali bombings are all likely to get
sentence
cuts to celebrate the end of Ramadan, it was revealed yesterday.
As victims and families gathered in Bali late yesterday to commemorate
the
second anniversary of the second Bali bombings, which killed 20 people
including four Australians, the list of radicals responsible for the
carnage
and who have been earmarked for remissions was being made public.
The announcement was received as an insensitive blow by families of
those
killed and injured in both murderous attacks. Kerobokan Jail boss Ilham
Djaya said yesterday he had recommended that all 10 terrorists in his
jail
be given remissions of one month to one month and 15 days.
The controversial remissions are awarded for good behaviour and
humanitarian
acts such as blood donations and take the place of the parole systems
which
operate in Australia.
There is no provision for parole under Indonesia’s sentencing regime
which
delivers a straight sentence which can be reduced by remissions.
Del Ponte: SFOR Could Kill Karadzic
http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=85950
Del Ponte: SFOR Could Kill Karadzic
Karadzic knows that he is in danger, because if they (SFOR, NATO) find
him, he will not be transferred to the Hague alive, says del Ponte.
Joseph Stedul
Hina
On Monday, Banja Luka’s “Nezavisne Novine” (independent newspaper)
reported the first part of the stenograph of the official talks of the
prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, Carla del Ponte from 2004, in Banja
Luka, with the president of Republika Srpska at that time, Dragan
Kalinic, in which Del Ponte warns that SFOR could kill Radovan
Karadzic.
“Since September 1999, Karadzic was in contact with our office. He
talked to us of his free will, but did not want it to look like he
turned himself in voluntarily, so I arranged for his arrest in
Switzerland, but then he changed his mind and did not want to turn
himself in”, said Carla del Ponte.
According to her words “NATO and SFOR will try to carry out an arrest
operation”.
“Karadzic knows that he is in danger, because if they (SFOR, NATO)
find him, he will not be taken back to the Hague alive”, said Carla
del Ponte.
Karadzic – HolBrook agreement
She then explained that she personally investigated the story of the
agreement between Karadzic and the American diplomat Richard Holbrook,
according to which it was promised that he would not be extradited to
the Hague, if in return he step down from the political stage.
Del Ponte said that she received “some evidence that it (the Karadzic
– Holbrook agreement) is true”.
“If this is true, then it only confirms the assumption even more, that
Karadzic was to killed”, added Carla del Ponte.
She, according to the stenograph, said that Karadzic needs to have the
possibility to defend himself in a normal court process, but not to
kill him.
She requested from Kalinic to convey the message to Karadzic, about
organizing his arrest in Switzerland, or in some other way, as she
said, without the involvement of SFOR.
Kalinic answered Del Ponte by saying that (conveying Karadzic’s
message), he had done that once before in cooperation with a former
American official responsible for war crimes, named Prosper, after
which he was exposed to direct threats by Karadzic’s family.
Rejecting Del Ponte’s request, Kalinic said that by sending a new
message, Karadzic’s life would be in danger.
“It would be little satisfaction for my family if one day you put a
candle on my grave”, said Kalinic to the Hague prosecutor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2007
Release #08-001
QVC’s Recall Hotline: (800) 367-9444
Salton’s Recall Hotline: (800) 233-9054
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Salton Inc. and QVC Recall Electric Toasters Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Cook’s Essential Electric Toasters
Units: About 5,200
Retailer: QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pa.
Distributor: Salton Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill.
Hazard: The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite
items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: QVC has received information that ten toasters
reportedly turned on spontaneously, including one incident of fire
damage to kitchen cabinets and two incidents of toaster covers burned.
No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves the “Cook’s Essential” four-slice
wide
slot electric toasters model CET 401. These toasters are made of
stainless steel and measure 12 inches long, 13 inches wide and 8 inches
high. Each toaster has “Cook’s Essentials Classic Look Toaster, Model:
CET401” printed on a plate located on the underside of the toaster.
Sold by: QVC through its television station, its Web page; its
toll-free
number, outlet, and its employee and Studio stores from January 2003
through June 2003 for between $63 and $69 plus about $8 for shipping
and
handling. Some recalled toasters may have been sold at various
retailers.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the toaster immediately, unplug it,
and cut off the power cord where it enters the body of the toaster.
Consumers who return the power cord in the prepaid envelope that will
be
provided will receive a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Consumers who bought a toaster from a QVC’s
television
program or at QVC.com were sent a package by mail containing
information
on how to receive a refund. Consumers who have not received the
information packet should call QVC at (800) 367-9444, from 7 a.m. to 1
a.m. ET, seven days a week or visit QVC’s Web site at www.qvc.com.
Consumers who bought a toaster at a QVC outlet or retail store should
return the toaster at the store where it was purchased to receive a
full
refund. For all non-QVC purchases, contact Salton at (800) 233-9054
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the
firm’s Web site at www.esalton.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08001.html
********************************************************
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2007
Release #08-002
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 440-0680
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Target Recalls Plush Boys Rattles Due to Choking Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Plush Boys Rattles
Units: About 82,000
Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.
Hazard: The recalled rattles can break open releasing the small beads
inside, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled rattles were sold in three styles: a white
baseball with red stitching, a brown football with white stitching, and
an orange basketball with black stitching. The tag sewn into the rattle
contains: “Reg. No. PA5706(CN), Distributed by Double Nice Co Ltd. 3f-2
No. 325, Wu Chuan Road, Taichung, Taiwan, Made in China.”
Sold exclusively at: Target stores nationwide from March 2007 through
May 2007 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled rattles away from young
children immediately and return them to any Target store for a full
refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800)
440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit
the firm’s Web site at www.target.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08002.html
********************************************************
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2007
Release #08-003
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 939-4836
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Honeywell Recalls Gas Valves Used in Decorative Fireplaces and Stoves
Due To Burn Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Gas Valves Used in Decorative Fireplaces and Stoves
Units: About 4,000
Manufacturer: Honeywell International Inc., of Morristown, N.J.
Hazard: The activation knob on the valve can be left in a position
between OFF and PILOT, which can cause the pilot gas to leak and
accumulate prior to burner ignition. This can pose the risk of thermal
burns to consumers when they light the pilot of the fireplace or stove.
Incidents/Injuries: Honeywell has received one report of gas
accumulating and combusting when the consumer lit the fireplace,
resulting in a minor injury when the hair in the back of the consumer’s
hand was singed.
Description and Models: This recall involves gas valves used in
liquid-propane-fueled decorative fireplaces and Franklin-type stoves.
These stoves and fireplaces have direct pressure relief vents via a
spring-loaded door. Fireplaces and stoves with a side or rear vent are
not included in this recall. The recalled valves were installed in
these
fireplaces and stoves.
Sold at: Honeywell sold the gas valves exclusively to original
equipment
manufacturers for use in fireplaces and stoves from April 2004 through
August 2007. Those manufacturers sold fireplaces and stoves at
retailers
nationwide.
Manufactured in: Mexico
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact
Honeywell for information on how to receive a free inspection and
replacement valve.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honeywell at
(800)
939-4836 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the
firm’s web site at www.nvp-hearth.honeywell.com
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08003.html
Brisbane Qantas Workers Sidestep Security (back)
October 1, 2007
Qantas has employed casual staff to work at Brisbane airport without Australian Federal Police security clearances.
The airline has rushed to hire 60 extra staff from an outside agency for Qantas Flight Catering Ltd, which prepares food for its own and many other international airlines.
The Transport Workers Union, which says other staff have had to undergo full security clearance checks, has expressed major concerns about the risk of terrorist or criminal infiltration.
‘Under the present climate of terrorism around the world, I don’t think anybody should be working in the airline industry, particularly near food preparation, without first having full and thorough security checks,’ TWU state secretary Hughie Williams said.
Qantas says the casuals will work in the washing-up area at the airport catering facility to cope with the busy period before Christmas.
A former Qantas catering employee said this area was next to the room where food for passengers, pilots and crews was stored and loaded on to trays and airline trolleys.
‘There’s nothing to stop them walking from one area to another,’ he said. ‘There are already people from that agency working in the food areas.’
Australian National University terrorism expert Clive Williams said there should be security and criminal checks to clear any catering employee who prepared airline food or worked close to and had access to food preparation areas.
FOLLOW LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE
Source: www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,23483,22506862-27977,00.html?from=mostpop
TERRORISM RESPONSE
al-Qaeda Terrorist Arrested in Italy ; Targetted US Bases (back)
September 28, 2007
Italian police arrested a 35-year-old Iraqi man in Venice on Friday, accusing him of planning terrorist strikes in Iraq using ultralight helicopters bought in Italy .
Saber Fadhil Hussien, allegedly the head of an al-Qaeda cell, was arrested as he boarded a plane bound for Syria . Investigators said he was intending to meet a contact in the network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda leader in Iraq .
According to Venice prosecutors, who had been probing Hussien since the end of 2006, the suspect was a longstanding resident of Italy with a home and family in Padua , where he ran a pizza and kebab shop.
Investigators said he had already arranged to buy several light aircraft from a manufacturer in Italy , pretending that he wished to set up a dealership in the Middle East .
His plan was to send the helicopters to Iraq where they could be used by terrorists to attack international forces there. The aircraft can fly low enough to avoid radar and could transport up to 250 kg of explosives.
It is believed to be the first time terrorist groups in Iraq have considered using light aircraft to overcome the tight security surrounding international forces in the country.
Venice’s chief prosecutor Vittorio Borraccetti said Hussien had been providing logistical support for an al-Zarqawi cell in Iraq for some time, sending around 4,000 euros a month for the purchase of weapons and to recruit suicide bombers.
‘No terrorist act was planned against Italy ,’ Borraccetti said.
After Hussien’s arrest, police searched the homes of four Iraqis living in the Veneto region who are believed to be connected with him in some way.
Another Iraqi, an immigrant labourer living in Treviso , is also under investigation for terrorist activity because of his close relations with Hussien.
Thanks to wiretaps, investigators heard the two Iraqis voicing fiery support for al-Zarqawi-organised terrorist attacks on international forces in Iraq .
Hussien and his group were driven by a hatred of Iraq ‘s Shiite population and also, more recently, of Sunni tribes in the al-Anbar region of Iraq who oppose al-Qaeda, Borraccetti said.
‘The material gathered will be made available on the international network so as to aid the fight against terrorism,’ he added.
Source: www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=13360
TERROR ON TRIAL
‘Cyber Jihadist’ Trial Opens New Front in Anti-Terror Fight (back)
September 28, 2007
In the first case of its kind in Germany , a man went on trial this week in the northern city of Celle for posting al-Qaeda hate messages and audio and video recordings, by Osama bin Laden among others, in an Internet chartroom for Islamists.
The 36-year-old Iraqi-born Kurdish defendant, known as Ibrahim R., is accused of using the Internet as a ‘terror weapon’ and conducting his own ‘personal jihad on the computer.’
The defendant, who was under observation by security officials for a year and a half, also faces charges of attempting to recruit members and supporters for two terrorist networks, al-Qaeda and ‘al Qaeda in Iraq .’
Peter Ernst, the main prosecutor in the case, said the ‘main propaganda path for al-Qaeda is the Internet, where jihad is also carried out virtually.’
‘Virtual Supermarket for Terrorists’
Federal prosecutors said the defendant, who was arrested last October and has been jailed pending trial ever since, spent hours surfing the Internet and logged on in the chatroom under seven different pseudonyms.
FOLLOW LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE
Source: www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2800263,00.html
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\10\02\story_2-10-2007_pg7_47
All 24 on FBI’s most wanted list are Arabs
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: All 24 terrorists on the FBI’s list of the “most wanted”
are
Arabs, led by Osama bin Laden.
Osama’s name on the list is spelt with a U not an O. His aliases are
listed
as: Usama Bin Muhammad Bin Ladin, Shaykh Usama Bin Ladin, The Prince,
The
Emir, Abu Abdallah, Mujahid Shaykh, Hajj, and The Director.
His description includes the following information. He was born in 1957
in
Saudi Arabia and is 6.4 feet to 6.6 feet tall.
He weighs about 160 pounds and his build is thin. He is also said to
probably speak Pashto, besides, of course, his mother tongue Arabic.
He is left-handed and walks with a cane. He is wanted in connection
with the
August 7, 1998 bombings of US embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and
Nairobi, Kenya, which killed over 200 people. In addition, he is a
suspect
in other terrorist attacks throughout the world.
The Rewards For Justice Programme of the Department of State is
offering a
reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to the
apprehension or conviction of Osama Bin Laden. An additional $2 million
is
being offered through a programme developed and funded by the Airline
Pilots
Association and the Air Transport Association.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp
Home |
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=main_2-10-2007_pg7
National
October 2, 2007 PM Anti-Terrorism News
(Pakistan) Al-Qaeda ‘re-emerging’ in Pakistan sanctuaries: US military
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071002/wl_sthasia_afp/afghanistanusunrestpakistantalibanborder
(Pakistan) 8 Al-Qaeda linked militants arrested in Pakistan
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1845513&Language=en
http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17803&Itemid=2
(Pakistan) Militant attack in northern Pakistan kills 3 policemen — in Hungu town
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1845525&Language=en
New Pakistan violence kills 4 security officials, 2 militants
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/asia/AS-GEN-Pakistan-Violence.php
(Pakistan) ABC: Military Analysts - Pakistan Army Folding to Growing Taliban (my title)
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/10/throwing-in-the.html
Iraq: Al-Qaeda video shows attack on US military helicopter
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1376409137
Afghan violence at record levels
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071002/ap_on_re_as/afghanistan_74;_ylt=Al_00LZupDaG.iwYFaZdJyHOVooA
Afghanistan: Would-Be Suicide Bomber Speaks Of Indoctrination, Fear
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/10/f11e7d19-8e39-4dd1-b12d-4bda813b756d.html
(U.S.) Miami: Sears Tower Bomber Trial - Prosecutors say Liberty City 7 sought to topple U.S. government
http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/257718.html
(U.S.) Opening arguments in Miami ‘homegrown terrorism’ case
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071002/ts_alt_afp/ustrialattacksflorida
(U.S.) Terrorist Surveillance a ‘Legal Mess,’ Ex-Justice Official Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aAenqJzHWaaA&refer=politics
(U.S.) Online video emerges as PC security hole
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21095733/
(Syria) Assad denies his country behind killing of anti-Syrian Lebanese politicians
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/africa/ME-GEN-Syria-Lebanon.php
(Gaza) Four killed in explosion near Hamas marine police headquarters in Gaza City
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/africa/ME-GEN-Palestinians-Gaza.php
French Scholar Olivier Roy: Terrorism: ‘War on terror’ not a global fight says expert
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1376552067
(UK) De Menezes marksmen told to expect determined bombers
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2576589.ece
(Spain) Police arrest 2 members of outlawed Basque separatist party
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/europe/EU-GEN-Spain-Basque-Arrests.php
(Angola) Suspected Nigerian militant leader is in custody in Angola, official says
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/africa/AF-GEN-Angola-Nigerian-Arrested.php
(Australia) PC program predicts fallout from terrorist strike
http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/pc-program-predicts-fallout-from-terrorist-strike/2007/10/02/1191091115304.html
(North Korea) U.S. backs plan to disable North Korea’s nuclear facilities
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/02/america/NA-GEN-US-Koreas-Nuclear.php
(Sri Lanka) Arrested LTTE terrorist commits suicide by swallowing cyanide-Batticaloa
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20071002_08
Other News:
(Israel) Swastikas sprayed in Bnei Brak succa
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1191257213539&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Thank you Ruth; that sounds interesting. Perhaps we can obtain a transcript of that address.
October 3, 2007 Anti-Terrorism News
(Iraq) Over 200 terrorists killed, nabbed by military personnel in Iraq — official
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1845702&Language=en
(Iraq) Gunmen kidnap 13 at fake checkpoint — in Khalis
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22526634-23109,00.html
(Iraq) Poland’s ambassador to Iraq wounded in blast — three separate roadside bombs in the Arasat
district in central Baghdad
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071003/wl_nm/iraq_ambassador_dc_1;_ylt=Aq2xfJCFCgXjfgKbFQFi75tX6GMA
(Iraq) Washington Post continuing article on IEDs (my title)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100202366.html?hpid=artslot
(Iraq) FBI to be guarded by Blackwater team being probed (my title)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/2007/10/03/2007-10-03_blackwater_to_guard_fbi_team_probing_it-2.html
(Afghanistan) Taliban fire rockets on German base, attack NATO convoy — base in Faizabad
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/117983.html
(Afghanistan) Taliban burn district center in central Afghanistan in Ghazni province’s Ajristan district — killing two policemen; 5 Dutch troops wounded in clash in Uruzgan province
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/03/asia/AS-GEN-Afghan-Violence.php
(Afghanistan) U.N. says Afghan violence up 30 percent
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/afghanistan;_ylt=AqnQ6TZQ4U_JrZk0QCEEv0XOVooA
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3680949
(Afghanistan) Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary: Urgent plan needed for Afghanistan
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=1.0.1379771061
(Pakistan) Ten militants, two soldiers killed in Pakistan — clash with pro-Taliban militants
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071003/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanafghanistanunrest_071003084415;_ylt=ApqQ2pSToigA3YlZOEdnUnjOVooA
(Pakistan) Two Pakistani soldiers killed near Afghan border — outside Mir Ali town
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/October/subcontinent_October112.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
Pakistan: Radical Islamabad mosque handed back to former clerics
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1380032442
Pakistan Seen Losing Fight Against Taliban And Al-Qaeda
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100202211.html?nav=rss_world/asia
(Pakistan) Gang involved in suicide attacks busted: Cheema
http://www.dawn.com/2007/10/03/top12.htm
(Pakistan) Rice urges Moderate Pakistanis to Unite against Extremism, Lauds Musharraf Role
http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/10/03/top3.htm
(Indian Kashmir) Two officers and nine suspected rebels killed in fierce gunbattle in Indian Kashmir,
says army
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/03/asia/AS-GEN-Kashmir-Gunbattle.php
(Indian Kashmir) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader warns of ‘intifada’ in
Jammu and Kashmir
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\10\03\story_3-10-2007_pg7_6
(U.S.) The Islamist Trojan Horse — analysis of Islamist organizations and media in U.S.
http://www.nysun.com/article/63064?page_no=2
(U.S.) California: Judge denies bail for terror defendant — Rahmat Abdhir charged with
sending money and military equipment to Jemaah Islamiyah in Philippines
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_re_us/terrorism_indictment
(U.S.) Miami men plotted to overthrow U.S.: prosecutor
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071002/us_nm/usa_plot_dc
(U.S.) Federal trial on terrorism counts for 5 rescheduled in Toledo
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS02/710030422/-1/NEWS
(U.S.) Canadian Khadr’s lawyers say they will appeal ruling ordering him to trial
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=a80711fd-78d4-4fe6-861a-d8d2f37e2363
(U.S.) Questions raised over terror exercise — TOPOFF exercise next week for
three fictional dirty bombs to go off in 3 US cities and Guam
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_go_ot/terror_exercise_4;_ylt=AgtEcy4hXmUGqyEQi1BgsiwTv5UB
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/03/america/terror.php
(U.S.) Files raise questions on Gitmo transfers — Gitmo prisoners cleared even though
they pose threat, don’t show up for hearings
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/guantanamo_the_way_out_11;_ylt=AoQ.u42_152yYm1hCsCAmA8Tv5UB
(U.S.) White House Secrecy On Wiretaps Described
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100201083.html
(U.S.) Jihadism: The Web of American Bloggers and The Terrorists They Facilitate
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/189600.php
(U.S.) FBI Most Wanted Terrorist Has a US Hosted Website
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/189605.php
(Lebanon) Hizbullah’s Marijuana Enriches Financial Pot
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/134146
(Israel) 2 gunmen killed by IDF in s. Gaza Strip
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1191257218835&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(Israel) IDF arrests five suspected terrorists in West Bank
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1191257217328&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(Gaza) New poll shows growing discontent with Hamas rule in Gaza
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/03/africa/ME-GEN-Palestinians-Poll.php
Report: Hamas, Fatah agree to secret talks
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3456057,00.html
Fatah: ‘Summit failure may ignite new intifada’
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1191257216393&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Saudi Mufti Issues Fatwa Prohibiting Saudi Youth From Engaging In Jihad Abroad
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD173107
Bahrain terror clamp
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=195631&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30197
(Somalia) Fierce fighting rocks Somali capital
http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleid=320976&referrer=RSS
(Algeria) Violence Smolders in Algeria
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Oct02/0,4670,AlgeriaViolenceReborn,00.html
(Algeria) Al-Qaeda prompts legal questions in Algeria’s national reconciliation
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2007/10/02/feature-01
(Sudan) Attack on African Union forces in Darfur threatens to undermine peace talks
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/10/02/news/darfur.php
Mauritanian Guantanamo detainee freed a week after return to home country
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/03/africa/AF-GEN-Mauritania-Guantanamo-Prisoner.php
(Canada) Unclear how information on terrorist funds used, inquiry told
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=8ddbf26b-6698-4ecb-ae9c-cb82e32e5848&k=13710
(Thailand) Three dead in Thai south — shooting of soldier in Pattani on Wednesday and
shootings of two men in Pattani and Yala on Tuesday
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071003/wl_asia_afp/thailandsouthunresttoll_071003062855;_ylt=Amp91qvEKC2oh5Vz7iv7.hbuNREB
(Thailand) Police release sketch of bomb suspect - placed bomb near Army HQ
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/previousdetail.php?id=122281
Sri Lanka says no quick-fix to Tamil conflict
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/October/subcontinent_October107.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
Sri Lankan army says it sank Tamil Tiger boat in artillery battle
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/03/asia/AS-GEN-Sri-Lanka-Civil-War.php
(North Korea) Roh rejects N. Korea’s offer to extend summit
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21090918/
North Korea Nuclear Accord Reached — Side Deal With U.S. Involves Terror List
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100202223.html?hpid=topnews
Other News:
(U.S.) Rosie O’Donnell’s representative rejects terrorists’ invitation
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57954
(U.S.) Pentagon observes Muslim holy month — White House in preparation for iftar feast
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071003/NATION/110030089/1001
(Israel) What next for Israel? Apologize to enemies
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57952
(UK) Muslim Public Affairs Committee calls dates “Israeli blood dates”
http://www.mpacuk.org/content/view/4069/34/
France: Mosque and Catholic university to give imam training
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2007/10/france-mosque-and-catholic-university.html
Netherlands: Muslim Bible teachers in Christian elementary schools
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2007/10/netherlands-muslim-bible-teachers-in.html
You are welcome.
I thought you might know someone close enough to go.
They might have a transcript or articles from it.
Blazes, bomb threat close School 15; police suspect Bergen case copycat -NJ
PATERSON
Blazes, bomb threat close School 15; police suspect Bergen case
copycat
Thursday, September 27, 2007
By ALEXANDER MacINNES
HERALD NEWS
PATERSON — A 20-page bomb threat, handwritten on sheets of loose-
leaf paper and scattered around School 15, could be the key in
determining who set three fires Wednesday morning inside the school.
“Let’s just say they’re important,” said Passaic County Prosecutor
James Avigliano of the threats that mostly repeated different times
that bombs would be set to explode.
No explosive devices were found after police K-9 units swept through
the building, but whoever wrote the notes probably was involved in
setting the fires, authorities said.
Investigators will also review surveillance tapes from video cameras
mounted outside the building, but as of Wednesday afternoon,
authorities said they had no suspects. Though he declined to
elaborate, Avigliano said whoever left the threat was likely taking
the lead from a much-publicized incident last week.
“This appears to be a copycat incident based on what happened in
Bergen County,” Avigliano said.
RELATED LINKS
JIM ANNESS / THE RECORD
Photo gallery: Fire at School 15 in Paterson
(
School officials in Emerson closed the district’s three schools and
dismissed about 1,200 students last Wednesday after they were told
that a bomb threat addressed to the mayor had arrived at Borough
Hall. That sparked school closures in 10 northern Bergen County
towns that sent more than 12,000 students home for a day.
Paterson’s School 15, an elementary and junior high school with
almost 900 students on Oak Street, was shut down Wednesday morning
after a fire alarm sounded at 7:34 a.m. When Paterson firefighters
responded, they discovered three fires — one on both sides of the
stage in the auditorium and another one in a basement classroom.
School officials did not know how long School 15 will be closed but
said that all displaced students will report to School 24 on Market
Street in the meantime.
There were about 30 people in the building at the time of the fire,
but Schools Superintendent Michael Glascoecould not estimate how
many of them were students.
No one was injured, except for a Passaic County sheriff’s officer
who received superficial burns around his forearms from embers,
according to Paterson fire Chief Michael Postorino.
The fire started before first period and the school’s breakfast
program and in locations that should have been off-limits to
students, Glascoe said.
Law enforcement officials, however, were careful to point out that
they did not know if the arsonist was an adult or a juvenile.
“We are interviewing people from the school and people who are
affiliated with the schools,” said Paterson police spokesman Lt.
Anthony Traina said.
Traina added that police were interviewing adults and several
children in the presence of their parents on Wednesday afternoon.
Eneyda de Dios, 10, said she was in the cafeteria for breakfast when
the fire started.
“I got scared. My heart started beating fast,” Eneyda said Wednesday
morning.
Students said the fire made them feel unsafe at their schools,
especially since the district had shut down for a time because of
fire violations at other schools earlier this month.
School 15 was not among the 26 schools labeled as an eminent hazard
by the Paterson Fire Department, but the fire officials did list
violations there, including no smoke detectors in the stairwells,
loose pull stations in two locations and no fire alarm report for
trailers near the school.
The Fire Department responded after a smoke detector in the
auditorium triggered the alarm, said Paterson fire Deputy Chief
Scott MacGilvray.
Glascoe said Wednesday that those problems have been abated, but
Postorino said the school remains on the list of 39 schools with
minor violations.
“If it happened today, what makes you think it’s not going to happen
on any other day?” asked Nadine Toldeo, 10, standing outside the New
Roberto Clemente Elementary School.
The fire on Wednesday is the second suspicious fire in the school
district in the last five months. A large fire broke out at Dr.
Frank Napier Jr. School of Technology, also known as School 4, on
Clinton Street in May. That fire caused significant damage to the
school’s auditorium.
Though it was deemed suspicious, Passaic County Chief Assistant
Prosecutor James Wilson, who heads the arson unit, said the
investigation is still open.
“I don’t know if there is a connection, other than they were two
schools,” Wilson said Wednesday.
Staff writer Ashley Kindergan contributed to this report.
Reach Alexander MacInnes at 973-569-7166 or macinnes@northjersey.com.
To visit Milford421 ‘s group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/under-investigation/
Thanks to Milford421 for this and the last post.
Bomb-making items found in Goodyear home - AZ
http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/12n-bombhouse02-
CP.html
Bomb-making items found in Goodyear home
12 News
Oct. 2, 2007 06:46 AM
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says bomb-making materials were
found in the West Valley Monday night.
continued...........
FBI Looks Into 2 Metra Train Derailments - Chicago, IL
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_275192042.html
Oct 2, 2007 11:00 pm US/Central
Trains Expected To Run Normally Wednesday Morning
TOP STORY: Oak Lawn Schools Cancel Holiday Traditions
TOP STORY: Report: Crew In Midway Crash Made Bad Decision
SLIDESHOW: Fans Cheer For The Cubs
SLIDESHOW: Openly Gay Celebrities
SLIDESHOW: Before They Were Stars
(CBS) CHICAGO An FBI investigation was launched Tuesday evening
after two trains jumped the tracks near the same spot.
Only one train remained there as of about 10 p.m. Tuesday. The first
train to derail was moved up the tracks around 9:30 p.m. minutes
ago. But dozens of workers remained at the site and expect to be
here for a better part of the night to ensure this doesn’t happen
again.
As CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov reports, Metra workers carefully inspected
portions of the South Shore Electric line tracks as two trains sat
idle on parallel tracks. The first, headed to 93rd Street from
Chicago’s Millennium Station, derailed shortly before 5 p.m.
Tuesday. The second train was trying to avoid that derailment when
it jumped the tracks an hour and a half later.
“I can say that second train was going very, very slowly and many of
the police officers here tonight were here when it happened, and
they reported the train just popped off,” said Metra spokesperson
Judy Pardonnet. “Fortunately there are no injuries.”
Pardonnet says, as far as she knows, two trains have never derailed
on the same day, so close to one another. And both these derailments
happened just eight days after Metra determined someone tampered
with Metra Electric main line tracks near 103rd Street and Dauphin.
The FBI believes a case of sabotage that could have caused a train
derailment was averted by alert Metra workers, who last week
discovered a dozen railroad spikes missing in an area on the city’s
South Side.
Metra employees discovered the missing spikes Monday near 100th
Street just south of the Bishop Ford Freeway, and notified police
and federal authorities, including the Department of Homeland
Security and the Transportation Security Administration, which
investigates threats to planes and trains.
Those tracks carry passengers to the south suburbs and northwest
Indiana.
The FBI said it was conducting a criminal investigation
into “sabotage” in that case. FBI spokesman Ross Rice said agents
were checking for possible connections to a domestic violence case
involving a Metra engineer.
“No one has claimed responsibility or called in a threat,” Rice
said. “No similar incident has been reported to us in the
metropolitan area. This is a serious incident, and we are
aggressively investigating.”
Investigators believe someone with knowledge of railroads meant to
cause enormous harm.
The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the FBI, is
involved in that investigation. Pardonnet says those agencies are
involved in this one, too. The cause of Tuesday’s derailments is not
yet clear.
“In this situation when our crew got out of the train the first
time, and they did have a quick visual inspection and they indicated
that all of the spikes appeared to be intact,” Pardonnet said.
The incidents also left dozens of passengers in the lurch. Some were
bussed to other locations, others left without a way home. Still
others are concerned about why this happened — again.
“It’s very scary!” said passenger William Fleming.
Pardonnet says there could be many reasons for the derailments, and
investigators will be interviewing people and reviewing the event
recorder on the train.
Metra expects to have a normal rush hour Wednesday morning, but a
portion of the intersection, where Exchange, South Shore, Yates and
71st all come together, is expected to be closed to car traffic
until at least Wednesday afternoon.
CBS 2’s Dana Kozlov and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
From Our Partners
This is from a man in the Germany/Austria area, I have been reading his posts for several years and he is reporting on the attempted bombing in Austria.
No url, as it came to me as a pdf and has only his personal return address.
Granny..........
Austrian security authorities publicly still try to give the impression that the incident at the US
embassy Vienna is just an isolated attempt carried out by a mentally disabled person without any
terroristic or Islamic background.
Most mainstread media also canceled reporting on the incident,
public broadcaster ORF even removed articles from it’s website. Read here some facts and decide
yourself:
Asim CEJANOVIC, born 1965, a native of the Bosnian city BIJELJINA, which was ethnically
cleansed by Serbian forces during the Balkan wars. Mr. CEJANOVIC is a Bosnian Muslim war
refugee to Austria and lived in the city of TULLN together with his wife and their three children. Mr.
CEJANOVIC enjoys an early retirement while his wife is working in a fast food restaurant.
One of
his sons (born 1995, therefore I will not name or picture him; dm+) is active in a local soccer club
and seems to be fully integrated in Austrian society.
On October 1, 2007 Mr. CEJANOVIC wanted to see the RSO VIENNA at around 1130hrs. When
passing security controls at the embassies entry a metal detector sounded an alarm and he fled
the embassy. Deployed private security guards were not able to take him down. Mr. CEJANOVIC
dropped his backbag and was detained by Austrian police. In his backbag were two handgrenades,
nails, screws and a book titled „Namaz u Islamu“.
Searching his house in TULLN police found
some 500g of unidentified explosive material and a workshop equipped to produce IEDs.
Now here we go: The mentioned book is only very limited available, it is said that only some 2000
copies were printed.
I understood its a guide book for Islamic prayers.
The book is released by
„Ummet - Verein zur Förderung der islamischen Kultur in Österreich“ („Ummet – Society to
promote Islamic culture in Austria“). Ummet was found on April 30, 1997 by some Nazif
BILABEGOVIC, Elvedin BOROZAN, Nermin MUTEVELIC, Emir SELIMOVIC and Samir
KEHONCJIC.
While Ummet’s website (www.ummet.at) is down, the book is available for download
here:
http://www.ikre-bismi-rabbike.net/e-knjige/Namaz%20-%20ummet.at.pdf
(Bosnian, PDF, 6.8MB)
Although the website is down it can be partially accessed here:
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://ummet.at
Interesting is that the site is registered through the same ISP used by Amir ZAIDAN for his
websites.
Mr. ZAIDAN is tasked with training for Muslim religious education teachers by the official
Austrian Muslim faith community.
Before moving to Austria Mr. ZAIDAN was under close
surveilance by German domestic intelligence and institutions found by him were subject in German
security reports and discussion points in the German Bundestag.
Anyhow Ummet is connected to the well known Vienna Al Tawheed mosque, which is a meeting
point for the „Aktivna Islamska Omladina“ (AIO, „Active Islamic Youth“). The AIO is a Bosnian
Wahabi organization trying to establish Wahabism in Bosnia with financial support of Saudi-Arabia.
AIO is also said to be connected with the inicident at the US embassy TIRANA on August 17, 1998,
as well as in one of my own threat scenarios I wrote some three years ago [for which btw I was
interrogated and my computers were snatched by Austrian domestic intel :-( dm+].
For more on
AIO see MIPT at www.tkb.org
So both, Ummet and AIO, are accessing the Vienna Al Tawheed mosque, run by Imam Vehid
PODOJAK, who appears also to be well known.
In recent interviews Mr. PODOJAK suggested
implementation of Sharia law in Austria. His mosque is located in a building belonging to Mrs
Muslima MOUSTEFAI-THIBA, an Austrian convert to Islam. Mrs. MOUSTEFAI-THIBA’s third
daughter, Aida IBRAHIM, is married to Imam Adnan IBRAHIM.
Imam IBRAHIM is a Palestinian,
who studied in Bosnia. He used to work as a librarian at the Arab League, and is a trainer of
Muslim teachers at Mr. ZAIDAN’s institution. Although Mr. IBRAHIM is described as moderate – he
issued a Fawta condemning terror in April 2005 – tapes are circulating in which he calls for a Jihad
against the US and Israel.
In early 2007 lawsuits against Mr. IBRAHIM were filed, he is accused of
calling for terror and hate speech.
So this is the environment of Asim CEJANOVIC. Connect the dots yourself. dm+
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