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

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[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920368/posts

Afghanistan - German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in Kabul for unannounced visit
AFP via translation | November 3, 2007

Posted on 11/02/2007 11:39:35 PM PDT by HAL9000

via translation -

Unannounced visit to the German Chancellor in Afghanistan

KABUL - The German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived Saturday morning in Kabul for a surprise visit to Afghanistan, announced a European diplomatic source in the AFP.

The information was confirmed by a spokesman for the German embassy in Kabul, which did not provide details about the visit.

Merkel was to have talks with President Hamid Karzai, followed by a press conference around midday, and probably visit some 3,000 German soldiers stationed mostly in northeastern Afghanistan.

It came after the Bundestag had overwhelmingly approved on October 12 the extension of the deployment of their troops and aircraft reconnaissance in Afghanistan, against the tide of opinion which does more to the success of the military operation.

[Cindy]

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

#

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20071102/CULTURE/111020092/1015

“’Terrorist’ in the neighborhood”
By Sean Coit
November 2, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Council Foundation (ASCF), argues that Mr. Chavez is “turning his country into a forward base for terrorists from around the world including such organizations as Hezbollah and Hamas,” and fostering an anti-American partnership with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Proper attention has not been paid to the situation evolving in Venezuela, the ASCF said, a situation that poses a threat to U.S. national security.

Otto Reich, a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, said Mr. Chavez’s tactics in both domestic and foreign policy are similar to those of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and Mr. Ahmadinejad.

“Chavez’s first international friend was Fidel Castro, a person who was a terrorist himself, came to power through terrorism, bombings, assassinations,” Mr. Reich said. “Terrorists all the way from Mexico to Argentina and the Middle East, and other parts of the world, are Chavez’s friends and they are in Venezuela.””

####

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/10/finally_a_focus_on_the_near_an.php

“Finally, A Focus on the ‘Near’ and Lethal Enemy”
By Douglas Farah

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Despite the signs of progress in Colombia, the FARC remains a formidable, multi-billion dollar industry with significant ties to criminal and terrorist organizations, from weapons traffickers to the Lebanese expatriate communities that send significant resources to Hezbollah and, to a lesser degree, Hamas.

The FARC’s ties to the Central American gangs and weapons trafficking networks pose a challenge that is only now being studied. The pipelines of people trafficking, weapons trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering merge into one large stream from Honduras through Mexico.”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920386/posts

“The Terrorist Roundup for November 3, 2007”
11/03/07

Posted on 11/03/2007 1:15:53 AM PDT by Straight Vermonter

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3073.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Nov 03 2007 02:12:08 GMT-0700.

Fiji

November 02, 2007

This Public Announcement is updated to reflect the current security situation in Fiji. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to the Republic of Fiji due to the current unstable environment in the country. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on August 9, 2007 and expires on February 1, 2008.

On December 5, 2006, the Commander of Fiji’s military deposed the lawfully elected government of Fiji. An unelected interim government was later established. While a State of Emergency is no longer in effect, some basic rights may be denied. Some protections ordinarily afforded by the rule of law are not guaranteed in the current situation.

While Fiji is currently calm, political and economic uncertainties continue. Some nighttime police checkpoints remain in place in and around major population centers. The security situation, especially in Suva, could deteriorate without warning.

American citizens in Fiji should remain vigilant, particularly in public and near military sites in the greater Suva area, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and become violent unexpectedly. Americans considering travel to Fiji despite this Public Announcement, as well as those residing or traveling in Fiji, are urged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ . By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The Embassy is located at 31 Loftus Street in Suva. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by phone at (679) 331-4466 and by email at consularsuva@state.gov .

Updated information on travel and security in Fiji may be obtained from the Department of State 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. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Fiji and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affaires internet website at http//travel.state.gov .

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3835.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Sat Nov 03 2007 02:14:15 GMT-0700.

Mali

November 02, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to security concerns in Mali. Due to recent armed conflict, kidnappings, and the presence of landmines, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid travel to northern Mali. Areas of particular concern include the Mali-Niger and Mali-Algeria borders, the Kidal region, and the city of Tinzawaten. This Public Announcement expires on January 30, 2008.

On August 26-27, 2007, Tuareg dissidents attacked and kidnapped civilian and military convoys near the Mali-Niger border. On August 30, a truck transporting civilians from Algeria to Tinzawaten hit a landmine, killing at least 14 people. In September 2007, the Malian military garrison at Tinzawatan clashed with armed rebels. While the government of Mali is working to strengthen security in northern Mali and achieve a peaceful settlement, the area remains unstable.

Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has a presence in northern Mali, and was designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The presence of AQIM and other armed groups in the north present potential dangers to travelers.

Many people who reside in or visit northern Mali travel with security escorts. However, the August 2007 convoy attack on agricultural researchers (escorted by Malian military personnel) illustrated that this does not ensure safety. U.S. government employees, including those on temporary duty, must be given special permission before traveling north of the Niger River, including to Kidal, Tessalit, Lere, Goundam, Essakane, and Menaka towns.

Americans planning travel to the northern regions of Mali despite this Public Announcement, including those planning to attend music festivals like the Festival in the Desert in Essakane or Sahara Nights Festival at Essouk, as well as Americans residing or traveling in Mali, are urged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov . By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The Embassy is located at ACI 2000 at Rue 243, Porte 297. The Embassy’s mailing address is B.P. 34, Bamako, Mali. The telephone number is (223) 270-2300. The consular fax number is (223) 270-2340. The Embassy webpage is http://mali.usembassy.gov .

Updated information on travel and security in Mali may be obtained from the Department of State 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. For further information, please consult the Consular Information Sheet for Mali and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov .

[Cindy]

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15004&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071102-14
November 2, 2007

“Iraqi citizen leads Coalition Forces to EFP factory”

Multi-National Division – North PAO
HUSSEINIYAH, Iraq

###

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15005&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071103-02
November 3, 2007

“Large weapons cache located by Concerned Local Citizens”’

Multi-National Division – Center
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920393/posts

“Al-Qaida’s No. 2 threatens Libya”
Associated Press via Yahoo! News ^ | 2007 Nov 3 | Maggie Michael

Posted on 11/03/2007 2:53:07 AM PDT by Wiz

CAIRO, Egypt

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=nuclear
http://memritv.org/subject/en/121.htm

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

#

blog:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/3512.htm
(”Source: IRNA, Iran, October 30, 2007)

“Ahmadinejad in Speech to Basij Forces: ‘These are the First Steps of Our March in the Nuclear Field’”
(Posted November 2, 2007)

#

Video Clip:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NLNGpEebKos

[Velveeta]

Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri and Abu Laith Al-Libi Announce the Joining of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group with Al-Qaeda

By SITE Intelligence Group

As-Sahab issued a 28:37 minute video to jihadist forums on November 3, 2007 in which Al-Qaeda deputy leader, Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, announces the joining of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group to Al-Qaeda. The video features both Zawahiri and Abu Laith Al-Libi speaking, and uses a still-shot of Zawahiri taken from his third As-Sahab interview from May 2007. Laith speaks over a still-image of himself, as well as footage of his leading Mujahideen in training.
http://www.siteinstitute.org/bin/articles.cgi?ID=publications324207&Category=publications&Subcategory=0

[Velveeta]

Al Qaeda’s Zawahiri urges attacks on Western targets in north Africa

DUBAI (AFP) — Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri called for a holy war against North African leaders and their French, Spanish and US allies in an audiotape message Saturday in which he announced a new Libyan arm of the militant network.

In the message released on the internet, he also called on members of Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah movement to overthrow the Palestinian president, saying he had turned the movement into an “annex of the CIA”.

He urged militants to target US, French and Spanish interests in North African countries in the recording, the authenticity of which could not immediately be verified.

“Islamic nation of resistance and jihad (holy war) in the Maghreb, see how your children are uniting under the banner of Islam and jihad against the United States, France and Spain,” Zawahiri said.

He also called for the overthrow of the leaders of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco over their support for Washington’s so-called war on terror.

“Support... your children in fighting our enemies and cleansing our lands of their slaves (Moamer) Kadhafi, Zine El Abidine (Ben Ali), (President Abdelaziz) Bouteflika and (King) Mohammed VI,” he said.

Zawahiri, the Egyptian lieutenant of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, also focused on Palestinian leader Abbas as the Fatah leader prepares for a US-sponsored international peace meeting on the Middle East next month. SNIP

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gwwodPc1iWAWogDHpT0pFoMr9bWw

[Velveeta]

Al Qaeda Codes: When Clouds Form Animals
http://www.bloggernews.net/111405

[Cindy]

Article snippet from your post no. 131:

“”In The Hearts Of Green Birds” (Inside Green Birds)”

[Cindy]

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

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Pakistan&btnG=Search+News

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

#

blog:

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2007/11/pakistan_musharraf_s.php

“Pakistan: Musharraf suspends constitution, declares state of emergency”
By Bill RoggioNovember 3, 2007 1:08 PM

#

Thanks to Global2010 and AD for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920424/posts

“BREAKING NEWS: Pakistan in a Media Blackout due to Unrest”
CNN | Nov 3 2007

Posted on 11/03/2007 6:05:50 AM PDT by Global2010

[KylaStarr]

San Diego Pipebomb link:

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/14501163/detail.html?dl=mainclick

Man Arrested In Connection With I-5 Closure
>>Police arrested a 46-year-old man after a pipe bomb he allegedly made was found near Interstate 5.Oceanside police said Friday that they had received information on Thursday that somebody had threatened to detonate an explosive device at the Vista Courthouse complex. Investigators began working with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and said they identified Buffalo as a suspect in that incident.

Police said they contacted Buffalo, who they said then volunteered to go to the Oceanside police station for an interview. He told police that he had placed an explosive device near I-5 after his car broke down, according to investigators. Officials said the pipe bombs were located in a backpack along the shoulder of I-5 south using information they obtained from Buffalo, who was brought to the location, NBC 7/39 reported.

All lanes of I-5 were closed down while police conducted their investigation and detonated the devices. <<

[Cindy]

Thanks to KylaStarr for post no. 134.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1919875/posts?page=134#134

ping.

[Cindy]

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15023&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071103-06
November 3, 2007

“Iraqi Army detains al-Qaeda-linked terrorists upon Mosque entry”
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

PRESS RELEASE SNIPPET: “BAGHDAD — Elements of the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division entered the Abu Hanifa Mosque in the eastern Adhamiyah neighorhood of the Iraqi capital in an early morning operation and detained 12 individuals, including two known terrorists who were using the mosque as a base.

The captured terrorists are suspected of improvised explosive device emplacement, kidnapping, murder of Iraqi civilians and attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces throughout Baghdad.

They are also known to have links with al-Qaeda, said Capt. Phillip Dow, a staff officer with the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. unit responsible for security in the area.

The operation was a result of tips received from local citizens.”

[RDTF]

is this definately a link?

[Cindy]

http://www.serbianna.com/news/2007/02832.shtml
(AP)

“Kosovo Albanian fugitive terrorist found shot dead in Macedonia”
Thursday, November 01, 2007 12:49 PM

SKOPJE, Macedonia-A fugitive gunman who broke out of a Kosovo jail two months ago was found shot dead in Macedonia on Thursday, police said.

Xhavid Morina, 44, was found dead on a road outside Tetovo, near Macedonia’s border with Kosovo.

Morina was one of seven inmates, convicted of terrorism, murder and theft, who broke out of the maximum security Dubrava prison in August after being helped by gunmen on the outside.”

[RDTF]

Maybe that one will remain unsolved. I’d like to think it’s a result of a successful covert cooperative operation. But shhhh.

[MamaDearest]

Isn’t that just the most special article. Who knew?

A brief statement

Muslim social scientists and researchers have spent a great deal of time trying to determine the number of Muslims in the United States. Most accept the estimate of from 5 million to 8 million. That is to say at least 5 million people in North America claim Islam as their religion and/or practice. What is represented in this report is based on estimates made in 1991, the World Almanac reports that Muslim in the United States number approximately 5,220,00. The total worldwide Muslim population is generally estimated at slightly more that 1 billion.