Threat Matrix: May 2008

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[nwctwx]

U.S. Wary Of Small Boat Terrorism

As boating season approaches, the Bush administration wants to enlist America's 80 million recreational boaters to help reduce the chances that a small boat could deliver a nuclear or radiological bomb somewhere along the 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways.

According to an April 23 intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press, "The use of a small boat as a weapon is likely to remain al Qaeda's weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given its ease in arming and deploying, low cost, and record of success."

While the United States has so far been spared this type of strike in its own waters, terrorists have used small boats to attack in other countries. Read More

	U.S. Confirms Somali Missile Strike
	Fight Al Qaeda's Plan, Not its Ideas
	FACTBOX: Major al Qaeda Leaders Killed or Captured

Threat Matrix:
May 2008

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[Cindy]

Let’s take a look at this graphic first:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00666/china-nuclear-big_666891a.jpg

#

blog:

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/192573.php

May 03, 2008

“’Secret’ Chinese Submarine Base on Hainan Island”

SNIPPET: “The communist Chinese People’s Liberation Army is building an underground nuclear submarine base near Sanya on Hainan Island. It is reported to be a “vast, James Bond-style edifice capable of concealing up to 20 nuclear-powered submarines, which will enable China to project its power across the region.””

[Oorang]

'Lost' NHS equipment sparks dirty bomb fear (U.K.)
4th May 2008

Nine items that could be used to build a dirty bomb are missing from British hospitals, fuelling fears that Al Qaeda terrorists are trying to steal material to build a radioactive device.

The revelation comes as a new US State Department intelligence report highlights fears over terror suspects working in the NHS and reveals Britain has launched an urgent operation to track down all radiological material used in its hospitals.

A State Department counter-terrorism official said there was high-level "concern" in Washington about the large number of foreign-born workers in European hospitals with access to materials that could be made into a dirty bomb. He added: "There is little doubt that eventually a dirty bomb made from radiological materials stolen from a hospital would be exploded."

The operation to track down the material was launched last year by the Environment Agency with assistance from MI5. It has identified and disposed of more than 10,000 disused items. Officials are now trying to account for more than 1,000 other pieces of equipment containing radioactive material. So far, nine items are definitely believed to have been lost or stolen.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "While all the lost sources contained relatively small amounts of radioactive material, any exposure to radiation gives rise to a risk to health."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=563849&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Cindy]

Thank Oorang.

I’ll link to this.

[MamaDearest]

Up to 400 State Department laptops missing

The computers belong to the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program, run by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which protects diplomats during stateside visits and trains and equips foreign police, intelligence and security forces. Anonymous sources say that officials are "urgently" scouring offices in the Washington, D.C. area to account for the equipment.

E-Coli warning issued for ground beef

The agency has issued a warning about frozen Steakhouse Beef Burgers, sold at M&M Meat Shops across Canada, and frozen Pure Ground Beef Patties, made by Belmont Meat Products and sold at Costco stores in Ontario.

[Cindy]

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08050012.htm

Friday, May 2, 2008

“Mission Organization to Hold Special Disaster Training Conference”

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “BARTLESVILLE, OK (ANS) — In recent years, there has been an increased risk for missionaries, aid workers and humanitarian groups working in unstable regions of the world, particularly the Middle East.

These increased safety concerns underscore the need for proper training and preparation for those individuals.

With that in mind, an Oklahoma-based mission organization will be holding a Christian disaster training conference in July, with a focus on field survival, disaster assessment and emergency medical training.

Hosted by Strategic World Impact (SWI), the 10th annual Disaster Assistance Response Training (DART) Conference will be held from July 13 – 18, 2008 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

SWI is a Christian ministry that specializes in working in war-torn areas of the world.”

[Cindy]

Even 1 laptop missing is a concern, but 400?
Something wrong there.

[MamaDearest]

Cruise ships take terrorism threat onboard

Tightened regulations for shipping require the bridge – from where the captain controls the vessel – to be sealed from public access. This will make no difference to passengers, who were never allowed on the bridge. However, the regulations could result in the famous steam engines inside Waverley being blocked from public view.

The paddle steamer’s operator, Waverley Excursions, pledged to ensure permanent staffing of the engine room when the ship is in use, and passengers will normally be able to watch the machinery. But if Britain is put on increased security alert, a barrier will be placed around the engines.

Islamic insurgents in Somalia threaten revenge on America

A U.S. airstrike that killed the suspected al-Qaida leader in Somalia brought warnings of vengeance from Islamic insurgents Friday and the threat of a boycott that could jeopardize peace talks with the U.N.-supported government.

Petition criticizes design of Flight 93 memorial

Opponents of the proposed United Airlines Flight 93 memorial yesterday presented a petition with more than 5,000 signatures of people who believe the design contains Islamic symbols and should be scrapped.

Sydney man sends death threats

A SYDNEY man sent death threats to a State MP, telling him Muslims would "blow up" his family for opposing the controversial development of an Islamic school.

Libya, Italy in row over anti-Muslim lawmaker

A Libyan charity chaired by leader Muammar Gaddafi’s son has said ties between Libya and Italy will suffer “catastrophic repercussions” if a lawmaker known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric becomes an Italian minister.

Muslim rebels expel over 1,000 Christians from village

Muslim rebels drove off more than 1,000 Christians from a southern Philippine farming village and took over their land, the guerillas and a mayor said Friday.

Casinos and swinger parties in Muslim capital

Emka, who is Muslim and studied at schools with strong Islamic backgrounds, including the Government Institute for Islamic Studies in Jakarta, makes a point of omitting graphically explicit material when he writes about "after-lunch stripteases," "midnight lesbian packages" and "drive-thru sex." Like the culture of the region, his tone is more discreet as he divulges the reality of Indonesia's sex industry. And, not wishing for his work to be mistaken for a tourist sex guide, he masks the names of venues and locations.

[MamaDearest]

Something wrong there.

I agree. I once worked for a large name-identifiable corporation that allowed employees to take laptops home, but they knew exactly who had possession of each laptop at all times belonging to the corporation. 400 missing laptops is inexcusable and gross negligence IMHO, especially considering the content of the work performed on those laptops.

[Cindy]

“Muslim rebels expel over 1,000 Christians...”

I guess if there is a silver lining to this article; expelled Christians is better than beheaded Christians.

Global Jihad — another day.

[Cindy]

I agree with you 100%.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/weatherunderground

#

http://www.city-journal.org/2008/eon0430jm.html

“JOHN M. MURTAGH
Fire in the Night
The Weathermen tried to kill my family.”
30 April 2008

#

Note: 2 videos included.

blog:

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/05/03/video-john-murtaugh-on-weather-underground-attempt-on-his-life/

“Video: John Murtaugh on Weather Underground attempt on his life”
POSTED AT 9:31 AM ON MAY 3, 2008 BY ED MORRISSEY
SEND TO A FRIEND | PRINTER-FRIENDLY

SNIPPET: “Greta van Susteren interviewed John Murtaugh on Fox last night to discuss the 1970 attack on his family by the Weather Underground. Murtaugh wrote an op-ed piece last week reminding people that William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn didn’t just target military assets with their domestic terrorism.”

[Cindy]

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

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizbullah
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizballah
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hezbollah
http://www.memritv.org/subject/en/89.htm
http://www.memritv.org/subject/en/116.htm

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3539108,00.html

“Lebanon accuses: Iran is building a communications system for Hizbullah”
Published: 05.04.08, 09:25

[Captain Beyond]

bump

[Cindy]

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

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19057&Itemid=21

Press Release A080504a
May 4, 2008

Coalition forces capture two suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups criminals

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured two suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups criminals early this morning in the Rashid district in Baghdad.

Intelligence information led Coalition forces to the location of a suspected Special Groups leader wanted for facilitating the import of Iranian-made munitions into Iraq. He is also suspected of providing information to Special Groups leadership, which led to rocket attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. In addition, he is suspected of providing safe-haven to criminals wanted by Coalition and Iraqi forces.

Coalition forces entered the targeted individual’s location where he surrendered without incident.

Afterward, Coalition forces conducted a follow-on mission to a separate location, also in the Rashid district, to capture another suspected criminal. There, they detained a second individual who was identified as a Special Groups criminal.

“Coalition forces are working with the Iraqi Security Forces to remove the Special Groups thugs who foment violence and instability on the streets of Baghdad,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman.

- 30 -

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19061&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080504-04
May 4, 2008

MND-B soldiers kill 5 terrorists, detain 24, find EFPs, 3 caches across Rashid
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers killed five criminals, detained 24, found two caches and two explosively formed penetrators throughout a 24-hour period in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad May 1.

At approximately 8 p.m. May 1, Iraqi policemen from 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, and soldiers from 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were attacked by 10 criminals using small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in the Aamel community during an operation to apprehend a key criminal.

The patrol requested attack aviation support. An aerial weapons team fired a Hellfire missile and killed five criminals.

The “Regulars” soldiers detained 20 suspected terrorists and various equipment.

At approximately 8 p.m. May 2, “Regulars” soldiers from Company E, 1-22nd Inf. Regt., seized roadside-bomb making materials in the Shurta neighborhood.

At approximately 11 p.m. May 2, soldiers from 4th Battalion., 64th Armor Regiment., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. found an emplaced EFP while conducting a combat patrol. The soldiers notified an explosive ordnance disposal unit about the cache in the Risalah community.

At the same time, soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, received a tip from local Sons of Iraq, or Abna al-Iraq members of a possible IED on the side of the road in the Furat area. The patrol requested EOD support, which determined the site was a cache consisting of roadside bomb-making materials.

On their way to the Furat site, the 47th EOD Company from Fort Hood, Texas, located and removed another EFP from the side of the road in the Risalah neighborhood at approximately 12:30 a.m. May 3.

“The ‘Raider’ Brigade is a dedicated and professional unit, and remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people,” said Maj. Dave Olson, 1st BCT Spokesman. “By killing or capturing dangerous criminals and finding these bombs, the Raiders are supporting the Iraqi Security Forces to make the Rashid district safer for everyone.”

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19062&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080504-07
May 4, 2008

ISF, MND-B Soldiers seize cache in Risalah following tip
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces seized a cache in the Risalah community in southern Baghdad during a joint patrol at approximately 6 a.m. May 3.

Acting on a tip from a concerned local Iraqi, policemen from the 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, and Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, seized explosively formed penetrators, police protective vests, ballistic plates, ballistic helmets, identification cards, Iraqi Army uniforms, and machinegun ammunition.

“This find is significant because the criminals were up to no good with all those extraneous identification cards, police uniforms and accessories, and the roadside bombs,” said Maj. Dave Olson, public affairs spokesman for 1BCT, 4th Inf. Div. MND-B. “Thanks to the continuing efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces and the concerned citizens, 1st BCT Soldiers continue to apply pressure to the criminals and provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.”

-30-

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=84069

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Americans in Georgia Advised to Review Security Posture
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Europe - Georgia
2 May 2008

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

“Worldwide Caution”
January 17, 2008

SNIPPET: “This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.”

[Cindy]

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