Threat Matrix: November 2007

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[nwctwx]

U.S. to Offer Turkey Help on PKK

The U.S. is to offer Turkey a package of measures to dissuade Ankara from mounting a large-scale military incursion into Iraq to attack PKK Kurdish guerrillas, who have killed scores of Turkish soldiers in recent weeks.

Ahead of a meeting in Washington on Monday between President George W. Bush and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, U.S. officials said Ankara would have to get concrete American help to combat the PKK, which has bases in northern Iraq from where it frequently launches attacks into Turkey.

“Erdogan has to go back with the belief that for whatever reason, the U.S. is serious” about tackling Turkey’s concerns regarding the PKK, said Matthew Bryza, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. state department responsible for Turkey policy. Full story...

	Turkey Imposes Sanctions on Iraqi Kurdistan in Bid to Halt PKK
	Ambassador Ryan Crocker to Turkey: Stay Out of Iraq
	Deaths in Baghdad Hit Yearly Low

Threat Matrix:
November 2007

October 2007

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[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/MoreThanCartoons.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=cartoonjihad

#

A break from the cartoon jihad...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071127/FOREIGN/111270041/1003

Page 1 of 2 next

“British teacher held over prophet ‘insult’”
Agence France-Presse
November 27, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “KHARTOUM, Sudan — A British teacher in Sudan yesterday faced lashes and deportation as she languished in police custody, accused of insulting the Muslim prophet for allowing young children to name a teddy bear Muhammad.

Sudanese police arrested Gillian Gibbons in Khartoum on Sunday after parents complained that she allowed 6-year-old boys and girls at an expensive English school to name the bear, and so “insult” the prophet Muhammad.”

[Cindy]

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/FeaturedCategories.aspx?sid=1821&cid=1807

#

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=280970971933186

“The Meltdown Of Hugo Chavez”

By INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Monday, November 26, 2007 4:20 PM PT

SNIPPET: “Latin America: Hugo Chavez’s reaction to being fired as mediator between Colombia and his narcoterrorist pals shows the evil game Venezuela’s dictator has played against his neighbor. It also signals trouble at home.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=youths
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=france
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=paris

#

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931018/posts

77 police officers hurt in Paris riots
Yahoo ^
Posted on 11/27/2007 2:07:48 AM PST by Sub-Driver
77 Police Officers Hurt in Paris Riots AP By NICOLAS GARRIGA,Associated Press Writer AP - 38 minutes ago

VILLIERS-LE-BEL, France - Rampaging youths rioted overnight in Paris’ suburbs, hurling Molotov cocktails and setting fire to dozens of cars. At least 77 officers were injured and officers were fired at, a senior police union official said Tuesday.

The violence was more intense than during three weeks of rioting in 2005, said the official, Patrice Ribeiro. Police were shot at and are facing “genuine urban guerillas with conventional weapons and hunting weapons,” Ribeiro said.

Some officers were hit by shotgun pellets, Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said. She said there were six serious injuries, “people who notably were struck in the face and close to the eyes.”

The riots were triggered by the deaths of two teens killed in a crash with a police patrol car on Sunday in Villiers-le-Bel, a town of public housing blocks home to a mix of Arab, black and white residents in Paris’ northern suburbs.

Residents claimed that officers left the crash scene without helping the teens, whose motorbike collided with the car. Officials cast doubt on the claim, but the internal police oversight agency was investigating.

Youths first rioted Sunday and again overnight Monday to Tuesday, when the violence apparently got worse.

Police barricades were set on fire and youths threw stones and Molotov cocktails at officers, who retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets. In Villiers-le-Bel and surrounding areas, youths set fire to 36 vehicles, the area’s prefecture said.

Youths were seen firing buckshot at police and reporters. A police union official said a round from a hunting rifle pierced the body armor of one officer who suffered a serious shoulder wound.

(Excerpt) Read more at malaysia.news.yahoo.com ...

[Cindy]

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

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1931022/posts

Italy’s Open Border Problem
Human Events ^ | 11/27/07 | Stefania Lapenna
Posted on 11/27/2007 2:16:17 AM PST by xtinct
Sardinia, Italy — A girl verbally insulted and then killed by a Slavic-speaking person who used the tip of an umbrella as a murder weapon . Dozens of villas assaulted by a mix of Morroccans, Romanians and Albanians in northern Italy. Shop owners murdered at random. This is but a part of the very long list of criminal events Italians learn about on an almost daily basis when they turn over the pages of newspapers or watch the morning and evening news. The common thread linking these crimes is the fact that all of the perpetrators were in Italy illegally.

... snip

The US has always been example of a nation that holds law breakers accountable and this has contributed very much to keep social peace. On the other side, not only millions of Mexican aliens were allowed to settle with little or no opposition over the last few decades, but they’re imposing their traditions, culture and heritage, as well. What will remain of our countries?

I think America is still in time to rescue herself, but it takes more than mere electoral promises.

Are US politicians scared at the idea of fueling social tension by imposing the respect for the law? I wish they could carefully look at the Italian situation, hoping that it could teach them a lesson: on the long term, coddling illegal aliens will pave the way for civil unrest and the loss of sovereignty to criminals, who will ultimately rule our cities. Italy’s likely to become a Third World, Muslim country in the not so distant future. Even if its leaders wake up now (I doubt they will) it’s probably too late. America can make it. I’m still betting that it will, but the 2008 election may be its last chance.

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

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3873.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Tue Nov 27 2007 02:26:44 GMT-0800 (PST).

November 26, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns related to the presidential election in Lebanon. This Public Announcement expires on January 30, 2008.

The U.S. Department of State is concerned that the current presidential election season in Lebanon may pose security issues for U.S. citizens in Lebanon. Lebanese President Emile Lahoud’s term of office ended on November 24, 2007. On November 23, President Lahoud declared a state of emergency and asked the Army to take control of the country’s security.

There is a strong possibility for demonstrations and unrest during this period. The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens who live, work, or are traveling in Lebanon to exercise responsible security practices. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid potentially threatening events such as demonstrations or other public gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens should maintain a low profile in public and avoid predictable or habitual behavior.
The Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. Public access hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; however, American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours may contact the embassy by telephone at any time. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, and fax 544-209. American citizens may register with the embassy online by visiting https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. Information on consular services and registration can also be found at http://lebanon.usembassy.gov or by phone at the above telephone numbers between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday local time.
Updated information on travel and security in Lebanon may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the U.S. and Canada or, from outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. Additional details can be found in the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Lebanon, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement and “A Safe Trip Abroad,” all of which are available on the Department’s Internet site at http://travel.state.gov.

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3476148,00.html

PRC: More Qassams during Annapolis

Published: 11.27.07, 10:31 / Israel News

Abu Abir, a spokesman for the Salah a-Din Brigades, the military arm of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), told Ynet Tuesday that his organization is carrying out an operation called “Autumn Storm,” during which the PRC will increase the frequency of Qassam rockets fired on Sderot and the western Negev during the Annapolis conference.

Earlier in the day, the Salah a-Din Brigades assumed responsibility for firing a Qassam that landed in an open field, causing no injuries or damages. (Ali Waked)

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3476132,00.html

“Iran says it has built new long-range missile

Iranian defense minister claims his country developed new missile with 2,000 km range, which could hit Israel”

Reuters
Published: 11.27.07, 10:03 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Iran has built a new missile able to hit targets 2,000 km (1,250 miles) away, the Iranian defense minister said on Tuesday, matching the range of another missile in the Islamic Republic’s arsenal, the Shabab-3.”

[Cindy]

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, Tue Nov 27 2007 03:03:05 GMT-0800 (PST).

Worldwide Caution

October 09, 2007

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=76162

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
“Warden Message: Demonstrations in Turkey, November 27”
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Europe - Turkey
26 Nov 2007

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=76154

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
“Warden Message: Niger Demonstrations”
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Niger
26 Nov 2007

[Cindy]

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

[milford421]

Thanks for these stories Oorang. I’ve posted them at the site.

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Velveeta]

Thank you all for the pings and mail. Catching up with the thread is hopeless at this point.

Curious here as to what the next UBL tape will bring.
*****************

Terrorism: New Bin Laden video ‘must be posted to Western websites’

Dubai, 27 Nov. (AKI) - A new al-Qaeda video containing Osama Bin Laden’s latest message “must be posted to Western websites,” the terror network’s media arm as-Sahab has ordered cyber jihadists.

“You must spread the new message from Sheikh Osama bin Laden in every way, especially via Western websites,” said As-Sahab, which produces al-Qaeda’s videos and audiotapes.

In a web message announcing the imminent posting of bin Laden’s new message, entitled “To the European people”, As-Sahab also gives instructions on how best to distribute the new video.

“Any means of distributing the video should be used in order to get the truth across to them about their war which they are losing and reveal to them the reality which they ignore,” said As-Sahab.

These and other comments posted on the Internet by al-Qaeda followers signal that bin Laden’s new message could cover the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, where troops from various countries are deployed.

Given that it is a message aimed at a Western audience, it is believed to have already been translated and subtitled in English, as have previous messages by bin Laden and by al-Qaeda’s number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri directed at the United States.

The last two messages from bin Laden, released after three years of silence, were those of 11 September and 22 October this year.

The last one, in particular, made history in that it was the first message in which bin Laden admitted that some of his followers in Iraq had made mistakes. It called on Jihadists to unite.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1603891328

[Velveeta]

Suspect in standoff at Wachovia Bank on OBT surrenders (FL)

A standoff at a Wachovia Bank on S. Orange Blossom Trail has been resolved, after a man suspected of having a bomb walked out of the building and surrendered at approximately 2 p.m. today.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to a standoff at the Wachovia Bank at 7950 S. Orange Blossom Trail after, at approximately 10:52 a.m. a man walked into the bank with bags, a suitcase, and a briefcase, sat down, and said, “I want to go to India.”

The man created some sort of disturbance, alarming the bank manager who order the bank to be evacuated......

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-bk-wachovia112707,0,5847828.story?coll=orl_mezz

[Velveeta]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants to hear from YOU!
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/7140

[Velveeta]

Somali Get 10 Years in Ohio Bomb Plot

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A judge on Tuesday sentenced a Somali immigrant to 10 years in prison for plotting to blow up an Ohio shopping mall with a man later convicted of being an al-Qaida terrorist.

Nuradin Abdi, a cell phone salesman before his arrest, will be deported to Somalia after serving the sentence. U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley imposed the sentence as part of a plea deal Abdi agreed to in July.

In a 20-minute statement to the court, Abdi’s attorney Mahir Sherif said his client apologized to the people of the United States, the people of Ohio and the Muslim community.

“He apologizes for the things he thought about and the things he talked about and the crimes he pleaded guilty to,” Sherif said. “He wants to make it very, very clear that he does not hate America.”......
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gBzLaRtXWmffmG6PDuz-tGbB9oyQD8T67JT00

[Oorang]

Britain is not headed down a good path. Thanks for the posts MamaD.

[Oorang]

UPDATE on article posted yesterday:

November 26, 2007 All-clear given after vehicle checked at Nellis Air Force Base

LAS VEGAS - Military authorities say a suspicious package is still being checked, but the all-clear has been given after an investigation of a construction vehicle at a Nellis Air Force Base gate.

Air Force Capt. Jessica Martin says military bomb technicians haven't said what they found in the cab of a flatbed construction truck at the gate to the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital.

"But it's been deemed safe," Martin said of the package, which drew the attention of a bomb-sniffing dog little before 11 a.m. "No immediate threat was determined." Las Vegas police reopened Las Vegas Boulevard to traffic a little before 12:30 p.m.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2007/nov/26/112610632.html

Police Detonate Suspicious Device (Nevada)
Nov 27, 2007

A suspicious brief case with tape and wires was found in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart store near U.S. 95 and Sunset in Henderson early this morning. The bomb squad was called in and detonated the briefcase. There is no word on what was found inside the case.

http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7414295&nav=menu102_2

Hospital ramps up security; Bomb threat aggravates already frayed nerves at Sudbury Regional (Canada)
Nov.27.2007

Sudbury Regional Hospital is under increased security today after officials received a written bomb threat. Hospital officials held a news conference Monday morning to announce security will be beefed up until Friday because of a bomb threat deemed to be low-risk. Hospital senior vice-president Joe Pilon said it will be business as usual despite heightened security, and it will be up to people wanting to visit patients or booked for medical procedures to decide if they want to proceed.

The alert was issued after consultation with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, said Pilon. Police spokesman Const. Bert Lapalme said police are not commenting on the bomb threat other than to say it is under investigation. Hospital patients, employees, physicians and volunteers were notified Monday about the bomb threat, and were told measures were in place to keep them safe.

Excerpted

http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=793445&auth=Carol+Mulligan

[Oorang]

Norway complains against release of Afghan bombers
2007-11-27

STOCKHOLM -- Norway has raised strong complaints against the decision by Afghan authorities to release the five Afghan bombers who attacked the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Northern Afghanistan in May this year. "It just gives a wrong signal that people who have been sentenced for such acts are allowed to walk free," Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a statement.

Stoere added that an explanation is needed of how it is possible for someone who was first sentenced to death to have the sentence reversed to 20 years in jail, only to be released because of a religious festival. The five Afghan bombers were sentenced to 20 years in jail, but Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed a decree to release them after they spent just three months in prison, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported. The bomb attack killed one Finnish and one Afghan soldier, and injured three Norwegian soldiers

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/27/content_7155890.htm

Iran to host militants for 'alternative' Mideast meet
Tue Nov 27

TEHRAN - Iran said on Tuesday that it had invited Palestinian militant factions to a meeting in Tehran aimed at countering a US-hosted Middle East peace conference seeking to kickstart the peace process. "These groups are planning to come to Tehran within the next week or two and they are all the Palestinian groups that are struggling for the freedom of their land," government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham told reporters.

Iran is one of the most vocal backers of Palestinian militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad and pledged millions of dollars in 2006 to the then Hamas government crippled by a Western aid cut. The Islamic republic does not recognise Israel and its President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has provoked outrage by calling for the Jewish state to be wiped off the map.

Excerpted

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071127/wl_mideast_afp/mideastdiplomacyiran;_ylt=A9G_Rz36iUxHg68A2gJvaA8F