Threat Matrix: September 2007

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=maldives
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_961.html

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http://www.minivannews.com/news

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Maldives&ie=UTF-8&scoring=n

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http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=3685

“Police Seek Help Of “Counterparts Overseas””
By Ajay Makan
September 29, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Maldives police service has contacted “counterparts overseas” as they begin investigating the explosion in Malé on Saturday afternoon, the government’s chief spokesman has told Minivan News.

Mohamed Hussein Shareef stressed this did not mean police suspected international involvement in the explosion.”

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7020319.stm

Last Updated: Saturday, 29 September 2007, 21:38 GMT 22:38 UK

“Two arrested over Maldives bomb”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Two people have been arrested in connection with a bomb blast in the Maldives which left 12 tourists injured, local police have said.

Two Britons, two Japanese and eight Chinese tourists were hurt by the bomb in a park in the capital Male.

The injured British couple have been named as Christian Donelan, originally from Rotherham, and his wife Jennifer, whose maiden name is Green.
The Maldives Police Service said forensic tests were being carried out.

‘Burns and cuts’

Local media said a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a gas cylinder triggered the bomb - reported to have been homemade.”

Article Snippet:
“A witness reported seeing scattered nails after the blast.”

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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gw4Prf18Iq-lpbCEh5Gx_toy0OyAD8RVK6NG0

“Maldives Bomb Wounds 12 Foreign Tourists”
By KRISHAN FRANCIS – 2 hours ago

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Maldives police have arrested two local men after a nail-packed bomb exploded in a busy park Saturday and wounded 12 foreign tourists, a government spokesman said Sunday.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Government spokesman Mohamed Shareef said that police arrested the suspects hours after the blast. But no motive has been established yet, and it was unclear whether they would be charged.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Shareef said Saturday was too early to say whether the bomb targeted the tourism industry or determing whether an Islamic jihadist organization was involved.

Some Western diplomats have expressed concern about the potential for violence in this Sunni Muslim country. Half the population is under 18, reasonably well-educated and with few prospects for good jobs. Some young people have turned to drug use, while others have embraced a conservative strain of Islam that had been virtually unheard of on the islands just a few years ago.”

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STEPPING BACK IN TIME...
In Other News...

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1870270/posts

http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=3446

“Gang Rapists” Given Eight Months Exile”
By Ajay Makan
July 19, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Four men who had sex with a twelve year old girl after breaking into her home have been cleared of rape. A judge found the girl from Kurendhoo, Lhaviyani atoll, had consented to have sex with the men after they smashed her bedroom window with an axe.

The judge sentenced the four men to eight months exile from Kurendhoo for sex outside marriage. The sentence contradicts a government commitment to the UN in May that child sex offenders would be imprisoned rather than banished.

On January 31 the four men aged between nineteen and twenty-five used an axe to smash the window of the girl’s bedroom before taking her from her bed and having sex with her.

The state charged the four men with rape.

But in his summation the judge noted “the girl had reached puberty” and found “she was a willing partner,” because she had not screamed, struggled or told her sister-in-law or step mother about the event.”

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1828108/posts

http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=3200

“Aniya Arrested Over Article “Against Islam””
By Will Jordan in Male’
May 3, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Aishath Aniya was arrested on Thursday morning in connection with an article she wrote criticising the wearing of the veil.

She was apprehended by police at around 9:40am outside the offices of Minivan Daily newspaper as she parked her motorcycle. Aniya was lifted into the back of a police van and taken to Police Headquarters, before being transferred to the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs for questioning.”

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/018310.php

September 30, 2007

“Has Islamic terrorism arrived on Maldives?”
By Philip Sherwell and Ben Leapman in the Telegraph:

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Fears have been growing in the Maldives that Islamic radicals would bring violence to the Muslim island state.

There were concerns that yesterday’s bombers had deliberately targeted foreign tourists – as Islamic terrorists did on the holiday island of Bali in 2002.”

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=74017

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
“Warden Message: Kenya Kidnapping Threat to American Citizens”
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Sub-Saharan Africa - Kenya
28 Sep 2007

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, Sun Sep 30 2007 02:37:18 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

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

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14344&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070930-01
September 30, 2007

Coalition Forces seize mortars, rockets in operation

4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrested four individuals, rescued two kidnapped victims and seized multiple mortar systemsand rockets Sep. 27 in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital.

“This successful mission is the result of outstanding cooperation across the brigade,” said Col. Ricky Gibbs, Commander of the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Combat Team, “Dragon Brigade.” “This is a good news story about taking a significant amount of weapons and munitions permanently out of the hands of extremists.”

Troops from the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment “Black Lions,” assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division conducted a coordinated air-and-ground operation to arrest extremists responsible for launching indirect fire attacks from Bayaa in Western Baghdad.

Apache helicopter crews from the 4th “Guns” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division observed an indirect fire attack in Western Baghdad at about 6 p.m. and moved to the site of the launch where they observed individuals and a truck with a tarp covering objects in the back.

The crews observed an individual place additional objects in the bed of the truck before the truck departed the site of the launch.

The aircrew maintained positive identification of the truck as it drove to a second location, where items were unloaded from the truck and taken into a house.

The aircrew then observed the truck leave the second location and drive to a warehouse at a third location. While the truck was at the third location, the aircrew alerted nearby ground forces then guided Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, to the truck’s location.

On arrival, Soldiers from Company D searched the truck, found weapons inside of it and took the suspects into custody.

The Company D Soldiers then drove to and searched the location where the truck stopped first and found a sizeable weapons cache, including 36 107mm Iranian-made rockets, four of which were wired and ready to fire.

Also found in the house were two 155mm and two 105mm artillery shells, one 82mm mortar system and one 120mm mortar system, 20 mortar rounds, numerous mortar charges and four sets of body armor complete with protective inserts.

All items were confiscated by Soldiers from the “Black Lions” battalion.

“Big Guns’ Apaches maintained continuous observation of the truck with the extremists as they attempted to depart their firing location unnoticed,” said Tampa, Fla., native Maj. Justin Hall, operations officer for 4-227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. “Our aviators played a pivotal role in assisting the ground forces with the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of the weapons cache.”

Since Operation Dragon Talon II began on Sep. 16, the Dragon Brigade has seized 24 weapons caches, detained more than 100 individuals, 17 of which are believed to be group leaders, organizers and financiers of the various extremist factions operating in the Rashid Security District.

-30-

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14346&Itemid=128

Sept. 30, 2007
Press Release A070930a

Coalition forces capture 15 suspected Special Groups members

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected criminals believed to be Iraqi Special Groups members during a combined operation in Baghdad early Sunday.

Sensitive intelligence led Coalition forces to an area known to be frequented by a suspected senior Special Groups network commander with ties to several other suspected criminals. Intelligence also indicates that he is involved in weapons smuggling throughout Iraq. Ground forces detained 15 suspected criminals at the target location without incident.

“Weapons smuggling and other criminal activities undermine the stability of this country and we will continue to dismantle the Special Groups networks,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “People who support or participate in criminal activity can expect Iraqi and Coalition forces to hunt them down and bring them to justice.”

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Thanks for keeping on top of it all, Cindy. I’m forced into lurk mode temporarily, but I’m taking it all in.

The western Pacific/eastern Indian ocean plate contact zones have been very active this year. One could almost say unusually active.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzph9DAGNX8
C-Span Book TV short: Peter Lance on TRIPLE CROSS

Thanks much Cindy.

Thank you, Cindy.

In or out of lurk mode; I’m glad you’re here, SlowBoat407.

You’re welcome Oorang.
A little vague for my taste, but
that’s about all that is new.

You’re very welcome, Donna.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904534/posts

“Calls, e-mails overwhelmingly back police crackdown in Irving (TEXAS ILLEGALS)”
Star-Telegram ^ | Sep. 30, 2007 | PATRICK McGEE

Posted on 09/30/2007 1:07:57 PM PDT by Dubya

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “IRVING — When pro-immigrant activists held a rally Wednesday against a police program that has led to more than 1,500 deportations this year, they told the crowd to call City Hall and demand an end to the program.

City officials said they were swamped with nearly 500 calls the next day. But the calls were overwhelmingly in favor of the police crackdown, called the Criminal Alien Program.

“We received a ton of phone calls at City Hall, ... and they have mostly been in support of our program,” Mayor Herbert Gears said. He said he also got 265 e-mails Thursday, only two of them opposing the program.

City Hall receptionist Edna Brown said she had about triple the number of calls she usually gets.

“It was so many calls, I even had 45 calls on hold,” she said. “The majority of them were for it, and not that many were against it.””

First we have this article "Pakistan Shuts Private News Channels" posted here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890027/posts?page=2274#2274

I'm a bit confused. Geo News has been (temporarily) silenced. Is it due to the pre-elections rallies as claimed above or due to the reporting of possible attacks as reported below.

‘Terrorists may attack twin cities’ (Pakistan)
Sunday, September 30, 2007

LAHORE: The Interior Ministry has directed all law enforcement agencies to remain alert as there is a possibility of terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the coming few days, a private TV channel reported on Saturday.

According to Geo News, the National Crisis Management Cell suspects that terrorists might attack Islamabad Club, Islamabad Police Lines, Rawalpindi Police Lines and other law enforcement agencies’ offices.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007/09/30/story_30-9-2007_pg7_50

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/018314.php

September 30, 2007

Detroit: Anti-Jewish, anti-Christian fliers found on cars
The flier said: “Kill Jews and Christians if they don’t believe in Allah and Mohammad.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “”Anti-Jewish, anti-Christian fliers found on cars,” by Gordon Wilczynski for the Macomb Daily (thanks to MG):

Police said anti-Jewish and anti-Christian fliers were found on cars parked in a lot on the northwest corner of 15 Mile and Ryan roads.

Sterling Heights police Detective Sgt. Paul Jesperson said three separate complaints were filed by residents Tuesday who found the fliers on their windshields.

He said the flier said: “Kill Jews and Christians if they don’t believe in Allah and Mohammad.”

It further advises people to “Fight those who do not believe.””

http://www.longwarjournal.org/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?tag=Pakistan&blog_id=7

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OPINION:

The answer is both.

The pending attack(s) seem to be more pressing.

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_930.html

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

This information is current as of today, Sun Sep 30 2007 13:49:44 GMT-0700.

PAKISTAN

September 21, 2007

This Travel Warning updates information on security incidents and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated December 5, 2006.

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against non-essential travel to Pakistan in light of the threat of terrorist activity.

The presence of Al-Qaida, Taliban elements, and indigenous sectarian groups poses a potential danger to American citizens, especially along the porous border with Afghanistan. Continuing tensions in the Middle East also increase the possibility of violence against Westerners in Pakistan. Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets where Americans are known to congregate or visit, such as hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events. American fast food restaurants and other companies in Karachi were bombed in late 2005, resulting in several deaths and multiple injuries among Pakistani employees and customers. On March 2, 2006, an American diplomat, his locally employed driver, and three others were killed when a suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives in front of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi. Fifty-two others were wounded.

Fatal bomb attacks have occurred in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, and other Pakistani cities in 2006 and 2007. Some of the attacks have occurred outside major hotels, market areas and other locations frequented by Americans. Other recent targets have included Pakistani government officials and buildings, and international NGOs.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Pakistan despite this Travel Warning are encouraged to register with the Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulates in Karachi, Lahore, or Peshawar. This registration can be completed online through the Department of State’s travel registration website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. Alternatively, Americans without Internet access should contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for information on registering in person. Registration enables citizens to obtain updated information on travel and security within Pakistan via the emergency alert system (warden network). Americans in country should take appropriate individual precautions to ensure their safety and security. These measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and demonstrations and keeping a low profile. Americans should avoid setting patterns by varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should ensure that their travel documents and visas are valid at all times.

From time to time, any post in Pakistan may temporarily suspend public services for security reasons. Official Americans may be prohibited from traveling to certain areas of Pakistan due to security concerns. Therefore, they may not be able to render immediate service to American citizens in distress. The websites of the Embassy and Consulates are regularly updated with the latest information on more specific travel restrictions and conditions.

Many areas of Pakistan, such as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Afghan border and the area adjacent to the Line of Control (LOC) in the disputed territory of Kashmir, are restricted for non-Pakistanis. The infrastructure of this region and some of the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) was devastated as a result of the October 8, 2005 earthquake. Many hospitals were destroyed and traveling even short distances can be very difficult. Travel to any restricted region requires official permission by the Government of Pakistan. Failure to obtain such permission in advance can result in arrest and detention by Pakistani authorities.

The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad is located at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5; telephone: (92-51) 208-0000; Consular Section telephone: (92-51) 208-2700; fax: (92-51) 282-2632; website: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/ .

The U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, located at 8 Abdullah Haroon Road, closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should call the Consular Section in Karachi; telephone: (92-21) 520-4200 or (92-21) 520-4400 after hours; fax: (92-21) 568-0496; website: http://karachi.usconsulate.gov/ .

The U.S. Consulate in Lahore is located on 50 Sharah-E-Abdul Hamid Bin Badees (Old Empress Road), near Shimla Hill Rotary; tel:(92-42)603-4000 or (91-92)603-4250; fax: (92-42) 603-4200; website: http://lahore.usconsulate.gov ; email: amconsul@brain.net.pk .

The U.S. Consulate in Peshawar is located at 11 Hospital Road, Cantonment, Peshawar; telephone: (92-91) 526-8800; fax: (92-91) 528-4171; website: http://Peshawar.usconsulate.gov .

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and the Pakistan Consular Information Sheet and Travel Warning can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).