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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Preparedness

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3545448,00.html

IDF targets Qassam cell responsible for fire on Sderot
Published: 05.20.08, 08:44 / Israel News

IDF forces struck the Qassam cell believed to be responsible for the rocket fire on Sderot, Tuesday morning.

The troops reported hitting their target. (Hanan Greenberg)

###

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3545436,00.html

2 Qassam rockets fired at Sderot; none injured
Published: 05.20.08, 08:05 / Israel News

2 Qassam rockets fired from northern Gaza Tuesday landed near Sderot. Color Red alerts were sounded in the area.

No injuries or damage were reported. (Shmulik Hadad)

[Cindy]

May 19, 2008

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://newyork.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/translatersent051908.htm

U.S. ARMY TRANSLATOR SENTENCED TO 121 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT
FOR UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS
CONCERNING IRAQI INSURGENCY AND FOR USING A FALSE IDENTITY

Defendant’s United States Citizenship is Revoked

BROOKLYN, NY – A U.S. Army contract translator was sentenced today to 121 months of imprisonment for illegally possessing national defense documents, and using a false identity to procure his United States citizenship and to gain access to classified military materials. In addition, the court issued an order pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1451(e) stripping the defendant of his United States citizenship on the basis of his conviction for unlawful procurement of citizenship.

The proceedings were held before United States District Judge Edward R. Korman at the U.S. Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York.

Previously, on February 14, 2007, the defendant, whose true identity is still unknown and who goes by various names including, Abdulhakeem Nour, Abu Hakim, Noureddine Malki, Almaliki Nour, and Almalik Nour Eddin, pleaded guilty to the unauthorized possession of classified documents charge, and on December 20, 2005, pleaded guilty to the false identity charge. The government’s investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

In August 2003, the defendant used a false identity to apply for and gain a position as an Arabic translator for the L-3 Titan Corp., which provides translation services in Iraq for U.S. military personnel. He then used the same false identity fraudulently to obtain “Secret” and then “Top Secret” security clearances. Subsequently, during assignments in Iraq, the defendant took classified documents from the U.S. Army without authorization.

While assigned to an intelligence group in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army at Al Taqqadam Air Base, he downloaded a classified document and took hard copies of several other classified documents. The documents detail the 82nd Airborne’s mission in Iraq in regard to insurgent activity, such as coordinates of insurgent locations upon which the U.S. Army was preparing to fire in January 2004, and U.S. Army plans for protecting Sunni Iraqis traveling on their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in late January 2004.

During a later deployment to a U.S. Army base near Najaf, Iraq, the defendant photographed a classified battle map identifying U.S. troop routes used in August 2004 during the bloody battle of Najaf, where the U.S. and Iraqi security forces sustained serious casualties. In September 2005, the JTTF recovered these classified documents during a search of the defendant’s Brooklyn apartment. One of the documents remains classified and is not described here.

“Those who would compromise military plans and intelligence will be met with aggressive investigation and prosecution,” stated United States Attorney Benton J. Campbell. Mr. Campbell extended his grateful appreciation to the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for spearheading the government’s investigation, and thanked the U.S. Department of Defense for its assistance.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Buretta and Jeffrey Knox.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://kansascity.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/pipebomb051608.htm

MAY 16, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOUNTAIN GROVE MAN SENTENCED FOR MAILING PIPE BOMB

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Mountain Grove, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for mailing a pipe bomb with the intent to injure and intimidate another person.

Donald W. Schamber, 60, Mountain Grove, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to 10 years in federal prison without parole, which is the statutory maximum sentence for the violation.

Schamber pleaded guilty on Feb. 8, 2008, to mailing a pipe bomb. A postal carrier found the pipe bomb in a mail collection box in West Plains, Mo., on June 1, 2007. The explosive device was wrapped in brown packing paper and addressed to the West Plains Police Department. A mail carrier notified law enforcement officers about the suspicious package, which was x-rayed to reveal the pipe bomb. The functional explosive device was designed to initiate upon the opening of the box.

Investigating officers learned that Schamber (who had not yet been identified) had purchased the materials to make the pipe bomb from a local Wal-Mart Supercenter. Photos from the store’s surveillance video were placed on a reward poster, which was distributed to the media. A citizen contacted the West Plains Police Department on June 3, 2007, and identified Schamber from the reward poster. Schamber was arrested the next day when he was encountered by law enforcement officers in front of the police department.

Schamber told investigators that he mailed the pipe bomb as part of a plot to incriminate his ex-wife’s current husband, in an effort to restore his relationship with his ex-wife. Schamber also deposited the remnants of the items used to make the bomb in his ex-wife’s yard as part of the plot.

This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Oliver. It was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Howell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office; the Oregon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office; the Texas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office; and the West Plains, Mo., Police and Fire Departments.

[Cindy]

View Poster regarding Suspicious Mail/Suspicious Packages:

http://www.usps.com/news/images/poster_large.jpg

[Cindy]

Note: To read the entire report; click on the link below.

#

ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

Weekly Piracy Report
13-19 May 2008

The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 13 to 19 May 2008.

ALERT

Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong

Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.

Suspicious crafts

15.05.2008: 0900 UTC: 13:02.6N-048:50.9E: Gulf of Aden.
Four suspicious speedboats chased a container ship. Vessel increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. Thirty minutes later, the boats aborted the attempt.

Recently reported incidents

13.05.2008: 1400 LT: Fairway Buoy area, River States: Nigeria.
A supply vessel, with 11 crew, was boarded and hijacked while underway. The hijackers have demanded a ransom for the safe release of crew and vessel.

17.05.2008: 09:50 LT: Posn: 02:13.19N – 046:49.38E, Off Somalia.
Pirates boarded and hijacked a general cargo ship underway. Ship was on passage to Mogadishu, Somalia.

06.05.2008: 1400 LT: Enroute from Jolo, Sulu to Laminusa Island, Sulu, Philippines.
Four speedboats carrying 20 pirates, all armed with automatic weapons, attacked a fishing boat carrying 20 passengers. The pirates fired upon the fishing boat killing four passengers and injuring eight others. The wounded passengers were taken ashore for medical treatment.

[Cindy]

BLOG:

http://www.TheAviationNation.com/2008/05/18/uk-aerospace-co-officials-detained-at-houston-airport/
(BBC NEWS)

“UK Aerospace Co. Officials Detained at Houston Airport”

#

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7407023.stm

Page last updated at 18:19 GMT, Sunday, 18 May 2008 19:19 UK

“BAE bosses briefly quizzed in US”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Two executives of defence company BAE Systems were briefly detained when they landed in the US on business.
Chief executive Mike Turner and an unnamed senior colleague were spoken to when they arrived at Houston airport, and had electronic equipment examined.

US officials are investigating corruption allegations involving a huge arms deal between BAE and Saudi Arabia.

BAE, which denies any wrong-doing, said US officials served “a number of additional subpoenas” on employees.

The executives were not prevented from entering the US following the unexpected interruption on 12 May, and Mr Turner is now back in the UK.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) has approached the UK Home Office to formally invoke a procedure that seeks their help with the American investigation into BAE.

A Mutual Legal Assistance mechanism calls upon two countries to swap information that may aid an ongoing investigation by one or both.
The BBC’s Joe Lynam has been told that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is considering the request.”

[Cindy]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49922

“Iraqi, Coalition Forces Continue Securing Northern Iraq”

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2008

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49928

“U.S. to Provide China Satellite Images of Quake-Stricken Region”

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2008

[Cindy]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49932

“NATO Battles Poppy Cultivation, Resource Challenges in Afghanistan”

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2008

###
###

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49930

Troops in Afghanistan Capture 18, Destroy Drugs, Weapons

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces detained 18 enemy fighters and destroyed caches of drugs and weapons over the past four days in Afghanistan.

During an operation yesterday to disrupt the Taliban’s presence in the Zadran district of Paktia province, troops nabbed four militants. Military officials said the targeted network is suspected of financing extremist operations and of waging two homemade-bomb attacks against the Afghan National Police.

In a separate operation, coalition forces captured four enemy fighters yesterday while searching compounds in the Garmsir district of Helmand province. Troops also discovered and destroyed a large drug cache during the raid.

Afghan and coalition forces seized eight militants May 16 during an operation to degrade extremist operations in Nangarhar province.

Combined forces searched compounds in the Achin district targeting a Taliban militant who participated in bombing and rocket attacks against the government of Afghanistan and coalition forces. Coalition troops also discovered and destroyed explosives, weapons, ammunition, and several bags of narcotics in the course of the operation.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49931

Forces in Iraq Kill 11, Capture 24, Destroy Weapons

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2008 – Iraqi and coalition forces killed 11 militants, detained 24 others and seized weapons in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said.

Using information gleaned in previous operations, troops in Mosul today captured two individuals while pursuing a foreign terrorist associate. In a Baghdad operation meanwhile, troops detained a suspect linked to a suicide-bombing network.

“These actions, and others like it, will continue until al Qaeda in Iraq stop the violence against the innocent people of Iraq,” said Army Maj. John Hall, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

During operations in Iraq yesterday:

— Troops in the Iraqi capital’s New Baghdad district observed an armed man exiting a vehicle near their position and preparing to attack. Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers defended themselves and killed the would-be attacker, military officials said.

— Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers killed an enemy fighter attempting to plant a homemade bomb in the Iraqi capital. Troops later uncovered a weapons cache that contained mortar rounds, homemade explosives, rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, various weapons, and explosive-making materials.

— Coalition forces captured eight suspects in Mosul and prevented a planned suicide-car-bomb attack. Military officials said two of the detainees are believed to be close associates of a terrorist leader in the city.

— In two operations in Tikrit, troops nabbed six suspects, including a wanted man who allegedly leads a terrorist attack cell and funds terrorist operations. Forces also discovered a large sum of U.S. money in one of the raids.

— Iraqi special operations forces detained two terrorists in the Ghazaliya area of western Baghdad. The raid targeted individuals suspected of murder, kidnapping, planting makeshift bombs, and displacing local Iraqis. One detainee is suspected of murdering a 24-year-old woman in December.

— After receiving a tip from a citizen in northeastern Baghdad, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained an enemy fighter suspected of burying homemade bombs. Earlier in the day, troops in the area found a weapons cache consisting of assault rifles and ammo, three makeshift explosives, bomb-making materials, and one 60 mm mortar with fuse.

— Iraqi police in Mosul discovered a buried weapons cache of nearly 500 rounds of munitions. The inventory included 120 60mm, 220 82mm and 100 120mm rounds, as well as 50 artillery rounds with rockets.

In May 17 operations in Iraq:

— A coalition air strike killed six enemy personnel and destroyed a cache near Khan Bani Saad. Air support was responding to calls for assistance from ground forces that came under attack while attempting to disarm a homemade bomb.

— Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were manning a defensive position in the Sadr City district of the Iraqi capital when enemy fighters attacked with small-arms fire. Troops retaliated, killing three militants.

— Iraqi and coalition forces detained three wanted men in Mosul, including two that allegedly conspired to conduct bombing attacks on combined forces. The other man is believed to have worked as a weapons smuggler for senior al-Qaida leaders in the city.

— Troops in Abu Ghraib, about 15 miles west of Baghdad, captured a suspected terrorist during a raid targeting associates of an al Qaeda in Iraq leader operating in the northern belt around Baghdad.

— Local citizens of the Iraqi capital’s New Baghdad district turned over 10 mortar rounds and rockets of varying size to Iraqi army soldiers.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

[Cindy]

Thanks to Clive for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018440/posts

“Anti-foreigner violence escalates in South Africa-(South Africans killing Rhodesians)”
reuteurs ^ | May 19, 200
Posted on May 19, 2008 6:54:28 PM PDT by Flavius

[Cindy]

Well now, this is good news.

#

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200805/NAT20080520a.html

“Peddling Child Porn Not Protected Speech, Rules High Court”
By Pete Winn
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
May 20, 2008

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018544/posts

Skip to comments.

Bush apologises for Koran shooting in Iraq: TV
Agence France-Presse (excerpt) ^ | May 20, 2008
Posted on May 20, 2008 3:44:24 AM PDT by HAL9000

Excerpt -

BAGHDAD (AFP) — US President George W. Bush has apologised to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki over the shooting of a Koran by an American soldier near Baghdad, state television announced on Tuesday.

“The prime minister received an apology from US President George W. Bush on the incident of shooting of a Koran by a US soldier,” Al-Iraqia television said.

US military authorities in Iraq have apologised to the local community west of Baghdad where the staff sergeant fired at the Koran during shooting practice on May 11.

The unidentified soldier, who pumped bullets into the Muslim holy book and wrote an expletive inside, has since been expelled from his unit and sent home.

~ snip ~

(Excerpt) Read more at afp.google.com ...

[Cindy]

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=84837

YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Indonesia Anticipates Demonstrations
CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS
East Asia / Pacific - Indonesia
19 May 2008

[Cindy]

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

[Cindy]

Note: The following news brief is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3545499,00.html

German court sentences Muslim to 3.5 years for stabbing Frankfurt rabbi
Published: 05.20.08, 10:25 / Israel News

A Frankfurt state court has sentenced a 23-year-old German Muslim to three and a half years in prison for attacking a rabbi with a knife.

On Tuesday, the court found Sajed Aziz guilty of serious bodily injury for the September attack on orthodox Jewish rabbi Zalman Gurevitch. That was a more lenient charge than the original attempted manslaughter, after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence that Aziz intended to kill 43-year-old Gurevitch. (AP)

[Cindy]

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

#

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1210668683821&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

May 20, 2008 12:58
“China: Earthquake buried 32 sources of radiation, but situation is safe”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “More than 30 sources of radiation were buried by debris from the massive earthquake in central China last week, but all except two have been disposed of and the overall situation is safe, a state news agency reported Tuesday.”

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4180.html

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Tue May 20 2008 04:20:29 GMT-0700 (PDT).

China

May 16, 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, Tue May 20 2008 04:21:52 GMT-0700 (PDT).

LEBANON

May 19, 2008

This Travel Warning updates 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 continues to urge 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 May 13, 2008.

On May 7, 2008, violence broke out in Lebanese capital of Beirut when Hizballah militants blocked the road leading to Rafiq Hariri International Airport. Hizballah fighters then pushed into areas of Lebanon where they had not traditionally been prevalent, resulting in several violent clashes. While the Airport road has since been reopened, it is possible Hizballah militants will use the same tactic in the future.

The U.S. is concerned about Hizballah’s use of violence to achieve political ends, coupled with its anti-Western and anti-American rhetoric. The threat of terrorist attacks against Western interests in Lebanon is real. In addition to Hizballah, 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.

Currently the American Embassy urges American citizens not to travel to Lebanon; those already in Lebanon are urged to consider carefully the risks of remaining in Lebanon and review their travel plans now that air travel services have resumed. U.S. citizens who plan to remain in Lebanon despite this warning are advised to maintain adequate supplies of food, water and other essential items and minimize travel outside of their homes.

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.

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.

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. Americans are strongly encouraged to update their registration information if it is no longer current. 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]

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.”