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

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	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]

Fyi Only.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3543147,00.html

“US President Bush arrives in Israel”

Roi Mandel
Published: 05.14.08, 11:17 / Israel News

[Cindy]

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

#

UPDATE:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668632152&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(AP)

JPost.com » Middle East » Article

May 14, 2008 11:56
“Jordan’s court sentences three men in Bush assassination plot”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
AMMAN, Jordan

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Jordan’s military court has convicted three men for plotting to assassinate US President George W. Bush during a 2006 visit to the kingdom and sentenced them to 15 years in jail.

Wednesday’s verdict comes about a year and a half after the young Jordanian men - Nidhal Musleh al-Momani, Sattam al-Zawahrah and Tharwat Daraj - were arrested on Nov. 28, 2006, the day before Bush’s arrival in the Jordanian capital Amman.”

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran

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

####

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/7330.htm

“Jomhouri-e Eslami”: Hizbullah’s Victory Near

In an editorial, the Iranian daily Jomhouri-e Eslami stated that as long as Lebanon’s “treasonous” Al-Siniora government was not toppled once and for all, a new crisis was possible, and anticipated.

The paper added, “Hizbullah’s victory in Lebanon this summer is near.”

Source: Jomhouri-e Eslami, Iran, May 13, 2008

Posted at: 2008-05-13

###

http://www.beirutpress.com/pages/?cid=3346
http://www.beirutpress.com/pages/?cid=3338
http://www.beirutpress.com/pages/?cid=3278
http://www.beirutpress.com

#

http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/7329.htm
“Images from Iranian PressTV – The Events In Lebanon”
(Posted May 13, 2008)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/france
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/paris

#

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668632104&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(AP)

JPost.com » International » Article

May 14, 2008 11:56
“Paris court convicts 7 men linked to Iraq terror recruitment cell”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A Paris court has convicted seven men suspected of links to a cell recruiting fighters for Iraq on terrorism charges.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Five of the suspects are French and two are from North Africa.”

[Cindy]

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

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/russia

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015694/posts

“Russia urges security guarantees for Iran”
afp ^ | 5/13/08 | afp
Posted on May 14, 2008 2:22:20 AM PDT by Flavius

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Wednesday on the top UN powers to give Iran security guarantees to help resolve the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear programme, Russian news agencies reported.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19432&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080514-01
May 14, 2008

SOI, IA unearth cache after tip (Say Fahal village)

Multi-National Division – Center PAO

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Sons of Iraq, members and soldiers with the 22nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, discovered a cache of weapons and ammunition near Say Fahal village, approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, May 12.

The SOI and IA found the cache by acting on information about munitions and weapons in the area.. Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), assisted in the recovery.

The cache consisted of 100 kilogram explosive devices, more than 180 60mm mortar rounds, 130 mm high-explosive projectiles, a 122 mm rocket, and a 155 mm rocket along with various fuses and ammunition.

The weapons and ammunition were destroyed by explosives ordnance disposal personnel.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19434&Itemid=21

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080514-03
May 14, 2008

Iraqi Army finds cache in support of Operation Lion’s Roar (Mosul)

Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – During independent operations in support of Operation Lion’s Roar, Iraqi Army soldiers found a large cache during combat operations near Mosul May 13.

The cache consisted of 600 pounds of unknown bulk explosive, four fragment grenades, two rifle grenades, 10 35-round AK-47 magazines, 15 6-volt batteries, 200 pounds of linked 7.62mm ammunition, 16 Motorola radios, three mortar tubes, one RPG launcher, eight AK-47s, one Katyusha rocket with launch rail, 10 TNT blocks, five pipe bombs filled with approximately 25 pounds of UBE, 250 gallons of unknown chemicals used to make homemade explosives, and various 14.5mm and 7.62mm ammunition.

The cache was reduced in place and the unknown chemicals were disposed of. The cache find was solely an Iraqi Army operation. .

“The Iraqi Army is becoming increasingly proficient in discovering these caches,” said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for Multi-National Division - North. “The Iraqi Army is paving the way for a safer and more prosperous nation.”

-30-

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3543203,00.html

“Al-Zahar: Right of return nearing, we can beat Zionists”
Published: 05.14.08, 12:42 / Israel News

[Cindy]

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/bush_terror_attack/2008/05/13/95820.html
“
Bush Worried Dem Victory Could Lead to Terror Attack”

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 10:01 PM

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday he was disappointed in “flawed intelligence” before the Iraq war and was concerned that if a Democrat wins the presidency in November and withdrew troops prematurely it could “eventually lead to another attack on the United States.””

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=84569

OU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Sudan Demonstration May 14
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Sudan
13 May 2008

#

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=84502

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Sudan Threat of Armed Conflict Continues
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
Sub-Saharan Africa - Sudan
12 May 2008

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html

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

This information is current as of today, Wed May 14 2008 03:37:58 GMT-0700 (PDT).

LEBANON

May 13, 2008

This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on security threats and ongoing political violence in Lebanon, and informs U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State urges that Americans avoid all travel to Lebanon and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued on April 21, 2008.

Violence broke out on May 7, 2008 in the capital, Beirut, when Hizballah militants blocked the road leading to Rafiq Hariri International Airport. As of May 12, 2008, the airport remains inaccessible.

There have been reports that Hizballah fighters continue to push into areas of Lebanon where they have not traditionally been prevalent. In addition to the violence provoked by these incursions, the U.S. remains concerned about the threat of terrorist attacks against Western interests in Lebanon. Groups such as Al-Qaeda and Jund al-Sham are present in the country and have issued statements calling for attacks against Western interests in the past.

The U.S. Embassy has suspended non-immigrant visa services as of Monday, May 12, 2008. Normal visa services are expected to resume when conditions improve. The Embassy continues to provide emergency and routine American citizens services.

Currently the American Embassy advises American citizens present in Lebanon to ensure they have an adequate supply of food, water and other essential items and to remain safely inside their homes. Americans are encouraged to review their travel plans following resumption of normal air services.

Current options for exit from Lebanon include:

Exit by land to Syria. – Overland routes to Syrian border crossings are open intermittently. Those traveling by land to Syria technically need a Syrian visa issued in Washington. Syrian officials have been issuing visas to Americans at the border; however, Americans have reported that they have had to wait for between five and eight hours in order to be cleared for departure.

Exit by sea to Cyprus. – There are currently no ferry services to Cyprus. The only sea route available has been via private boat rental. The cost of a private yacht for passage to Cyprus is expensive. Americans seriously interested in this option should identify like-minded people and pool their resources.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance continually pose significant dangers throughout southern Lebanon, particularly south of the Litani River, as well as in areas of the country where civil war fighting was intense. More than a dozen civilians have been killed and over 100 injured by unexploded ordnance following the armed conflict in July-August 2006. Travelers should watch for posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and unexploded ordnance may be present.

U.S. citizens traveling to Lebanon or resident in Lebanon should be aware that the U.S. Embassy has limited ability to reach all areas of Lebanon. The Embassy cannot guarantee that Embassy employees can render assistance to U.S. citizens in areas where there is limited government control.

United States citizens are responsible for arranging commercial or private means of transportation to depart Lebanon. For Americans, individual or small-group travel out of the country remains the safest option. U.S. Government-facilitated evacuations such as took place in 2006 occur only when no safe private alternatives exist. Evacuation would be provided on a cost-recovery basis, which means the traveler must reimburse the U.S. government for the cost of the travel. The lack of valid travel documents (U.S. passport or U.S. visa, as appropriate) will slow the U.S. embassy’s ability to provide assistance. Further information on the department’s role during emergencies is provided at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html.

The Department of State considers the threat to U.S. government personnel in Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, access by U.S. Embassy officials to certain areas of the country. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.

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 United States and Canada or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. Additional details can be found in the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Lebanon, and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

[Cindy]

General reminder: If you send me email or freepmail; it must be in English.

If it’s not in English, I hit the delete button and dump it in the trash can.

[Cindy]

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08050072.htm

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

“Biography Opens Readers Eyes to Horrors of 21st-Century Slavery”

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

[Cindy]

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

[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.”

[RDTF]

thanks for the updates!

[Godzilla]

placemark

[Cindy]

You’re welcome RDTF.

[Cindy]

Note: Photos included.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3543378,00.html

“Rocket wounds 15 in Ashkelon”

SNIPPET: “Several Palestinian terror groups claim sole responsibility for launching of medium-range Grad rocket against crowded shopping mall in ‘message’ to Israel as foreign dignitaries gather in Jerusalem, including US President Bush. Paramedics race to free wounded shoppers trapped under rubble while IDF investigates why alert sirens failed to sound”

Shmulik Hadad
Latest Update: 05.14.08, 20:34 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “As US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were sitting down to an intense two-hour meeting in Jerusalem early Wednesday evening, a Palestinian Grad rocket was launched from northern Gaza towards Israel.

The rocket crashed into a women’s health clinic on the second floor of a busy shopping mall in central Ashkelon just before 6:00 pm, wounding 15 people and burying several shoppers under piles of rubble. MDA paramedics dispatched to the scene fought to extract those trapped under large pieces of debris, including four people who were evacuated in serious condition, including a mother and her 2-year-old daughter, and 11 more who suffered from moderate wounds.

Medical personnel also treated 62 people for shock at the scene.

The Salah al—Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, claimed responsibility for the attack.”

[Cindy]

http://www.infolive.tv

#

http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/may6_1308e.htm

Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
at the Israel Intelligence Heritage & Commemoration Center (IICC)

“News of the Israeli-Palestinian Confrontation”
May 6-13, 2008
(May 14, 2008)