Posted on 07/28/2008 8:37:15 AM PDT by DAVEY CROCKETT
Is U.S. Bioterror Attack Just A Matter of Time?
The overriding question is whether the U.S. is “ready” for a bioterror attack. The answer could well rely on the “other” question of what bio-agent and what’s the source? In 1991, 40,000 Russian scientists dispersed throughout the World, with knowledge of what the U.S.S.R. was doing in chemical and biological weapons. The question is to whom did they sell their knowledge? Some believe former Soviet scientists sold technology to countries like Iran, Syria, and North Korea. Lurking is the spectre of al-Qaeda, a group that the Pentagon says continues to pursue biological weapons.
Another scenario is an outbreak of a pandemic. How would the U.S. deal with an infectious disease outbreak? The picture, despite reassurances, is not pretty. Until now, the U.S. has experienced two major biological attacks.
In 1984, the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers attempted to take over the town of the Dalles, Oregon by contaminating salad bars in the town. In 2001, there was the as yet unsolved mystery of the anthrax letters that killed five people.
But the question of bioterrorism extends to potential threats against our food supply and our clean water resources. It also extends to the threat of outbreaks of diseases in our animals populations. Here, the concern are diseases that attack animals but that can jump to humans. These are referred to as zoonotic diseases. The World Health Organization defines zonnotic diseases as:
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11000 Wilshire Blvd C Los Angeles, CA 90024 C 310-996-3343, 3342, 4402 C C www.losangeles.fbi.gov
For Immediate Release: August 1, 2008
FORMER COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOAN EMPLOYEE, SECOND MAN ARRESTED FOR DOWNLOADING AND SELLING IDENTITIES OF COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOAN CUSTOMERS
Two men were arrested today on charges related to the illegal access of computers containing personal identification information of Countrywide Home Loan customers and the illegal sale of the data, announced Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, and United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien.
Rene L. Rebollo Jr., 36, of Pasadena, a former employee of Countrywide Home Loan, was arrested this morning without incident at his residence by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rebollo is scheduled to make his initial court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
A second man charged in the case — Wahid Siddiqi, 25, of Thousand Oaks – was arrested this afternoon by FBI agents, who received the assistance of the Simi Valley Police Department. Siddiqi allegedly purchased the identification data; he is expected to make his initial court appearance on Monday.
According to a criminal complaint filed last night, the FBI, as well as investigators with Countrywide Financial, discovered a security breach at the company and initiated a joint investigation. The complaint alleges that Rebollo was employed as a senior financial analyst for Countrywide Home Loan’s subprime mortgage division, Full Spectrum Lending in Pasadena. In his position, he had access to Countrywide computer databases, many of which contained sensitive information of Countrywide clients. Countrywide terminated Rebollo’s employment in July 2008.
According to the complaint, Rebollo was interviewed by FBI agents last month and acknowledged that he was responsible for giving out account information belonging to Countrywide customers to third parties over the course of two years.
Rebollo said he obtained the information from Countrywide computers at his workspace and saved the reports to personally owned flash drives, according to the complaint. After Rebollo saved the Countrywide Home Loan data on the flash drives, he left the Countrywide Home Loan premises with the intent to sell the data.
Rebollo opened a personal bank account specifically for the purpose of depositing and holding the illegal proceeds of the Countrywide data sales, and he estimated that he profited approximately $50,000 to $70,000 from the sale of the Countrywide-owned data, according to the complaint.
Rebollo was requested by other individuals to obtain specific types of data from Countrywide, and he was able to provide the information because of his access to many of Countrywide’s databases that contained information about clients from around the United States, according to the complaint.
Siddiqi was recorded by a confidential witness working for the FBI when he placed an order for personal profiles at a negotiated price, according to the complaint. Siddiqi subsequently met the confidential witness and delivered the data, in exchange for cash. Copies of the discs were provided to Countrywide investigators for verification and authentication. Countrywide investigators are currently analyzing evidence to determine if any of their customers’ identities may have been compromised so that they can be formally notified and assisted in the immediate future.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Rebollo is charged with of exceeding authorized access to the computer of a financial institution, a charge that carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Siddiqi is charged with fraud and related activity in connection with access devices, a crime that carries a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
This case is a result of an investigation by the FBI. Investigators at Countrywide Financial provided considerable assistance and continue to fully cooperate with the FBI in this investigation.
###
CONTACTS:
FBI Press Office in Los Angeles: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343
United States Attorney’s Office: Thom Mrozek: 213 894-6947
Countrywide Financial: 800 796-8448
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/safety.htm
SAFETY TIPS
Parents Reminded to Keep There Kids Safe
Keeping our children safe on the internet
Safety precautions in the event of a terrorist attack
How to Guard against Child Abduction
KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE ON THE INTERNET
Children, especially adolescents, are sometimes interested in and curious about sexuality and sexually explicit material. They may also be moving away from the total control of parents and seeking to establish new relationships outside their family. Numerous FBI investigations involving child victims suggest that many children have been exploited and lured away from home as a result of unsupervised meetings on-line with sexual predators. Evaluation of the results of these investigations also conclude that many of these situations could have been prevented if several simple steps had been followed by parents.
A parent’s job is never done. Just as we would not allow our children to talk to a sexual predator in person, we should not allow our children to talk to a sexual predator on-line. However, if we do not have proper controls in place and if we do not monitor the behavior of our children while they are on the computer, we are in effect permitting our children to talk to a sexual predator on-line.
The truth is, the internet should be used by our children for education and not socialization. Also, children should use the internet only under a parent’s supervision.
The following information will help you identify behavior of your children which may indicate they are “at risk on-line.” You will also find information which should help prevent your children from being victimized. Additionally, you will find information regarding what you should do if your children are receiving inappropriate information on-line.
What are the warning signs that your child might be at risk on-line?
1. Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night.
2. You find pornography on your child’s computer.
3. Your child receives phone calls from people you don’t know, or your child is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don’t recognize.
4. Your child receives mail, gifts, or packages from someone you don’t know.
5. Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
6. Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
7. Your child is using an on-line account belonging to someone else.
What can you do to minimize the chances of an on-line predator victimizing your child?
1. Keep the computer in a common room, not in the child’s bedroom. It is difficult for an on-line predator offender to communicate with a child when a parent or other member of the household can see the computer screen.
2. Use parental controls from your service provider or blocking software which can be helpful but should not be relied on exclusively. On-line predators usually meet victims in chat rooms. Accordingly, any time your child spends in a chat room should be heavily monitored.
3. Always maintain access to your child’s on-line account and randomly check their e- mail.
4. Review on-line safeguards at your child’s school, library, and homes of friends to make sure proper controls and reviews are in place.
5. Teach your child the responsible use of on-line resources.
6. Teach your child about sexual victimization and potential on-line dangers.
7. Other things to teach your child:
a. Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met on-line.
b. Never upload (post) pictures of themselves on-line to people they do not know.
c. Never give identifying information, such as school names, team names, etc.
d. Never download pictures from an unknown source, since they may be sexually explicit or contain computer viruses.
e. Never respond to messages or bulletin board postings that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or harassing.
f. Whatever they are told on-line is probably a lie.
8. Take the time to learn how your computer works, and stores information.
9. See what different types of chat programs your child is using, learn about the programs and then limit your child’s contact with others as appropriate.
10. Spend time with your child on-line.
What should you do if you suspect your child is communicating with an on-line sexual predator?
1. Consider talking openly with your child about your suspicions. Tell them about the dangers of computer sexual predators.
2. Review what is on your child’s computer. If you don’t know how, ask a friend, coworker, relative, or other knowledgeable person. Pornography or any kind of sexual communication is a warning sign.
3. Use Caller ID or Block services to identify or block people you don’t want to call your child.
4. Should any of the following situations arise, via the internet or an on-line service, you should immediately contact the FBIs National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.ncmec.org, state or local law enforcement.
a. Your child or anyone in the household has received child pornography.
b. Your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows your child is under 18 years old.
c. Your child has received sexually explicit images from someone who knows your child is under 18 years old.
If any of these scenarios occurs, keep the computer turned off to preserve any evidence law enforcement may need. Unless directed by law enforcement, do not attempt to copy or print any of the images or text found on the computer.
For more information click on “A Parent’s Guide To Internet Safety” or contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.ncmec.org.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN THE EVENT OF A TERRORIST ATTACK
Terrorists typically want to frighten a population by inflicting mass injuries. By educating ourselves we give ourselves the ability to minimize the number of injuries which might result in the event of an attack, thereby defeating the terrorists goal. Accordingly, the more prepared we are, individually and as a country, to take immediate mitigating action in the event of an attack or other emergency, the more secure we are as a country.
The FBI asks everyone to remain alert in an effort to prevent attacks. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something unusual, evaluate it. After evaluating for a short time, if you cannot determine if a threat exists or if you think a threat may exist, notify law enforcement. By doing so you will be taking part in the nationwide neighborhood watch program.
The FBI does not recommend private citizens attempt to use gas masks. Without proper training gas masks can be dangerous and cause death. There are a number of recorded cases in which gas masks were used improperly and children died from suffocation as a result.
The following guidelines are based on protocols developed jointly by Special Agents of the Los Angeles FBI office and the Los Angeles County Health Department. These guidelines are not provided because of any known terrorist threat. They are provided to educate you so, if in the event of a terrorist attack, you will be better prepared to react in a manner which will minimize injuries. These guidelines will also help you in the event of an emergency which does not involve terrorism.
If you are exposed to an unknown hazardous chemical liquid you should:
1. Move away from the liquid.
2. Take cover if a liquid is falling on you, or use clothing to protect your skin from contact with the liquid.
3. If you get some of the liquid on you: once you are no longer in contact with the source of the liquid, take your clothing off and immediately wash with soap and cool water. First, wash body parts which were not covered with clothing, and then wash your entire body. If soap is not available wash with cool water.
4. Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
5. Call 911 as soon as possible.
If you are exposed to an unknown hazardous chemical gas you should:
1. Move away from the gas which may be in the form of a cloud.
2a. If you are outside, cover your nose and mouth with a folded cloth, breathe through the cloth, and continue to move away from the gas.
2b. If you are in a vehicle, roll up the windows, close all roof openings, and close the ventilation system so external air does not enter, and turn the ventilation system “off”. Also, cover your nose and mouth with a folded cloth and breathe through the cloth as you drive away from the gas.
2c. If you are at home, stay in the house, close the windows and doors, and turn the ventilation system “off”. You may also want to breathe through a folded cloth until the threat has passed.
3. Call 911 as soon as possible.
4. Monitor radio or television stations for official information regarding the threat. “On scene” police and fire officials may provide information regarding the status of the threat.
5. Once the threat has passed, get a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
If you believe you are being exposed, or that you have been exposed, to a biological hazard you should:
1. Move away from the material.
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a folded cloth and breathe through the cloth.
3. Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
4. Call 911 as soon as possible.
If you are in the area of an explosion you should:
1. Take cover behind a substantial object to decrease the chance of being hit by flying debris. Make sure to stay clear of glass windows which may be above you, since they could become a source of dangerous secondary debris. If cover is not available lay flat on the ground.
2. Try to stay away from vehicles in the immediate area of the blast. Terrorists have been known to detonate secondary explosions in vehicles in order to increase the number of injuries.
3. As soon as debris has stopped falling move away from the location of the blast.
4. Get a medical evaluation from emergency responders.
5. If you witnessed the blast tell law enforcement what you saw.
If you believe you have been exposed to radiological material from a “dirty bomb” you should follow the guidelines regarding an explosion, and:
1. As soon as debris has stopped falling move away from the area of the blast and stay away from the debris cloud. A debris cloud could contain radioactive particles.
2. If you cannot avoid the debris cloud, use clothing to cover your skin. Clothing will give you some protection from particles.
3. Cover your nose and mouth with a folded cloth, breathe through the cloth and exit the cloud as soon as possible.
4. Once you are out of the debris cloud and a safe distance from the initial explosion remove your clothing, because it may have trapped radioactive particle.
5. Then, first wash body parts which were not covered with clothing, and then wash your entire body with soap and cool water. If soap is not available wash your entire body with cool water.
6. Get a medical evaluation from emergency responders.
7. If you witnessed the blast tell law enforcement what you saw.
8. If a dirty bomb were to explode, most injuries would result from the initial explosion and not from contamination of radioactive material. This is because it is very difficult to disperse radiological material, with a bomb, in amounts sufficient to cause a significant health impact. For those who take proper immediate steps to protect themselves after such an explosion, the chance of a significant health impact is diminished even further.
Police and firefighters are commonly referred to as “first responders” because they are often first to arrive on scene after the onset of an emergency. By virtue of being at the scene when an emergency occurs “first responders” should be those private citizens at the scene who may have already suffered injury or may suffer injury if they do not take the proper immediate action. By knowing some simple things you can do if you are involved in an emergency, and by taking immediate action, you “the private citizen” become a “first responder.”
In most cases, following the above guidelines could greatly diminish, if not eliminate, injuries which could result from a chemical, biological, explosive or radiological event regardless of whether the event is the result of an accident or terrorism.
In many cases you will be at greater risk of injury in a rush to evacuate than you will be from an attack itself. Accordingly, in any emergency, try to stay calm, keep those around you calm and follow the appropriate steps noted above.
Finally, statistics show you are far more likely to be injured in an automobile accident than in a terrorist attack, so, drive safely.
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En Espanol
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/la072408usa.htm
NEWS RELEASE
Thomas P. O’Brien
United States Attorney
Central District of California
Thom Mrozek, Public Affairs Officer
(213) 894-6947
thom.mrozek@usdoj.gov
www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac
For Immediate Distribution
July 24, 2008
PROMINENT LOS ANGELES ATTORNEY INDICTED FOR MAKING ‘CONDUIT CONTRIBUTIONS’ TO A FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Los Angeles litigator Pierce O’Donnell was indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of making $26,000 in “conduit” campaign contributions through employees of his law firm and others to a political committee supporting the election of a candidate for president of the United States.
O’Donnell, 61, was named in a three-count indictment returned late this afternoon by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles.
The indictment alleges that O’Donnell conspired to solicit employees of his law firm and other individuals to make contributions to the campaign that he would reimburse, thus concealing the true nature of the contributions. The illegal contributions are called conduit contributions because the person who makes the “contribution” is reimbursed, thus serving as a conduit for the real contributor.
The indictment also alleges that O’Donnell caused 13 illegal campaign contributions to be made when 13 people made “donations” to the campaign in 2003 that O’Donnell reimbursed. The third count in the indictment accuses O’Donnell of causing the campaign to make false statements to the Federal Elections Commission by concealing the true nature of the contributions that he reimbursed.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The campaign that received the alleged conduit contributions, which is not named in the indictment, is not suspected of having any knowledge of the illegal contributions.
If he is convicted of the three counts in the indictment, O’Donnell faces a statutory maximum sentence of 12 years in federal prison.
O’Donnell will be summoned to appear for an arraignment in United States District Court in Los Angeles in August.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Now who are all these people that are being polled?????<<<
I would think that the other polls were taken from a group who came to hear Obama speak...........LOL [my twisted mind.]
Poll says Russians feel ex-president Putin is still calling the shots<<<
And I think Putin is still calling the shots.
He has taken over so many major businesses that it is once again a state run country.
As the democrats are attempting to do in America.
I think I forgot to tell you I am going to be a Grammy again, first of Jan. and it is another boy!<<<
Wonderful news, I am so glad for you.
You are right, it is not safe for our kids to be out in public.
The shooting of the kids in Wisconsin upsets me, and the beheading on the Greyhound bus.............I did both when I was younger, Greyhound was the method of taking a trip when I was young.
And we had a spot to swim in El Paso, that we went to.
May these evil ones rot in hell.
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: BRUSH FIRE THREATENS BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION
August 1, 2008 (4:22 PM) — Fire crews are battling a roughly 100-acre brush fire off El Monte and Willow roads in the Lakeside area that is moving toward Barona Indian Reservation, according to Cal Fire. Homes have been evacuated on Blue Sky Ranch Road . According to a Cal Fire spokesman, ground and air crews are making good progress in putting out the blaze.
Log on to http://www.cbs8.com/ for further details on this story.
[San Diego news:]
http://www.10news.com/news/17060224/detail.html
Con Man Poses As Water Employee In Escondido
POSTED: 5:59 am PDT August 1, 2008
UPDATED: 6:16 am PDT August 1, 2008
ESCONDIDO — Escondido police searched Friday for a con man who posed as a city water employee and threatened to turn off a resident’s water if a cash payment wasn’t made immediately.
continued.
http://www.10news.com/news/17047652/detail.html
Attempted Copper Thefts Delay Cancer Therapy
POSTED: 4:49 am PDT July 31, 2008
VISTA, Calif. — Sheriff’s deputies searched Thursday for a would-be thief who dismantled copper plumbing at a private outpatient clinic in Vista, forcing about 60 cancer patients to skip radiation therapy, a newspaper reported.
continued.
http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/fs/107632.htm
[Note the end, reads as though this is an alert, lots of photos at link..granny]
Fact Sheets: MANPADS: Combating the Threat to Global Aviation from Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (Second Edition)
Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:29:57 -0500
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Washington, DC
July 31, 2008
MANPADS: Combating the Threat to Global Aviation from Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (Second Edition)
Two insurgents in Iraq with SA-7b and SA-14 MANPADS. [Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityCountering the proliferation of Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) is a top national security priority of the United States. MANPADS, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, in the hands of criminals, terrorists, and other non-state actors pose a serious threat to passenger air travel, the commercial aviation industry, and military aircraft around the world (over 40 civilian aircraft have been hit by MANPADS missiles since the 1970’s). The United States and other concerned countries have recognized this and taken steps to counter this threat. After the November 2002 attempted shoot-down by terrorists of a civilian airliner in Mombasa, Kenya, the United States redoubled its efforts to keep MANPADS from falling into the wrong hands, and is working closely with numerous countries and international organizations to keep the skies safe for all. With U.S. assistance, this cooperation has led to the destruction of over 26,000 excess, loosely secured, illicitly held, or otherwise at-risk MANPADS since 2003.
The White House launched an initiative in late 2002 to prevent the acquisition and use of MANPADS by terrorists and other non-state actors. At the direction of the White House, the U.S. Department of State, supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, leads the United States’ international efforts on this critical issue. Within the Department, the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, and the Bureau for International Security and Nonproliferation have the lead responsibility in this area.
This updated fact sheet provides a brief description of MANPADS, their origins, examples of MANPADS attacks on civilian aircraft, and highlights some of the United States’ efforts to cooperate with other countries to counter the threat.
WHAT ARE MANPADS?
Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), commonly described as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, are surface-to-air missiles that can be carried and fired by a single individual or carried by several individuals and fired by more than one person acting as a crew. Most MANPADS consist of: 1) a missile packaged in a tube; 2) a launching mechanism (commonly known as a “gripstock”); and 3) a battery. More modern MANPADS also contain a separate missile ejection motor. The tubes, which protect the missile until it has been fired, are normally disposable. Rudimentary sights are mounted on the tube. The missiles themselves are usually comprised of a flight motor, a warhead, a control section and a guidance section that directs the missile toward the targeted aircraft. A single-use battery is typically used to power the missile prior to launch.
MANPADS launch tubes typically range from about 4 feet to 6 1/2 feet (1.2 to 2 meters) in length and are about 3 inches (72 millimeters) in diameter. Their weight, with launcher, ranges from about 28 pounds to just over 55 pounds (13 to 25 kilograms). They are easy to transport and conceal. Some of the most commonly proliferated MANPADS can easily fit into the trunk of an automobile.
Photo of MANPADS
Photo of MANPADS ,SA-14,
There are three main types of MANPADS: 1) Infrared (IR) seekers that hone in on an aircraft’s heat source, usually the engine or the engine’s exhaust plume; 2) Command Line-of-Sight (CLOS) systems whereby the MANPADS operator visually acquires the target aircraft using a magnified optical sight, and then uses radio controls to guide the missile into the aircraft; and 3) Laser Beam Riders in which the missile flies along the laser beam and strikes the aircraft where the operator has aimed the laser.
MANPADS were designed to be used by legitimate national military forces to protect their troops and facilities. With their relatively short range, MANPADS are regarded as the last missile-based air defense available to protect against aerial attack, to be deployed in tandem with gun-type systems that seek to defeat attacking aircraft by destroying them with a barrage of projectiles. They can attain a speed of about twice the speed of sound and strike aircraft flying at altitudes up to approximately 15,000 feet (4.57 kilometers) at a range of up to 3.2 miles (5 kilometers).
Although superficially similar in appearance, MANPADS should not be confused with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). RPGs are also portable and shoulder-fired. However, RPGs are unguided weapons designed primarily to be used against ground targets and are generally ineffective against aircraft, except at very close range. Some RPG attacks on low-flying aircraft have been mistaken for MANPADS attacks.
Iraqi Security Force member performs a foot patrol, armed with an RPG. [Photo: Courtesy of a U.S. Marine Corps
Iraqi insurgent firing a MANPADS. [Photo: Courtesy of U.S, Department of Homeland Security]
WHEN HAVE MANPADS BEEN USED AGAINST CIVIL AVIATION?
Since the 1970s, over 40 civilian aircraft have been hit by MANPADS, causing about 28 crashes and over 800 deaths around the world. The following list is a sample of reported incidents involving civilian aircraft. All of the incidents listed below, except the Mombasa incident, took place in zones of conflict.
A DHL Airbus air cargo jet with left wing on fire returns to the airport in Baghdad to make a controlled landing shortly after being hit by a MANPADS fired by an Iraqi insurgent. Fortunately, there w
* March 12, 1975
A Douglas C-54D-5-DC passenger airliner, operated by Air Vietnam, crashed into inaccessible, hostile Vietnamese territory after being hit by a MANPADS. All six crew members and 20 passengers were killed in the crash.
* September 3, 1978
An Air Rhodesia Vickers 782D Viscount passenger airliner crash landed after being hit by a MANPADS fired by Zimbabwe Peoples Revolution Army rebels. Four crew members and 34 of the 56 passengers were killed in the crash. 10 survivors were shot to death afterwards.
* December 19, 1988
Two Douglas DC-7 spray aircraft, chartered by the U.S. Agency for International Development to eradicate locusts, en route from Senegal to Morocco, were struck by MANPADS fired by POLISARIO rebels in the Western Sahara. One DC-7 crashed killing all 5 crew members. The other DC-7 landed safely in Morocco.
* September 22, 1993
A Tupolev 154B aircraft operated by Transair Georgia was shot down by Abkhazian rebels, crashed onto the runway and caught fire, killing 108.
* April 6, 1994
A Dassault Mystère-Falcon 50 executive jet carrying the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi and its French flight crew was shot down over Kigali, killing all aboard and sparking massive ethnic violence and regional conflict.
* October 10, 1998
A Boeing 727-30 Lignes Aeriennes Congolaises airliner was downed over the Democratic Republic of the Congo jungle by Tutsi rebels, killing 41.
* December 26, 1998
A United Nations-chartered Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport was shot down over Angola by UNITA rebels, killing 14.
* January 2, 1999
A United Nations Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules transport was shot down by UNITA rebels over rebel-held territory in Angola, killing 9.
* November 28, 2002
Terrorists fired two MANPADS at an Arkia Airlines Boeing 757-3E7 with 271 passengers and crew as it took off from Mombasa, Kenya. Both missiles missed.
* November 22, 2003
A DHL Airbus A300B4-203F cargo jet transporting mail in Iraq was struck and damaged by a MANPADS. Though hit in the left fuel tank, the plane was able to return to the Baghdad airport and land safely.
* March 23, 2007
A Transaviaexport Ilyushin 76TD cargo plane was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia, killing the entire crew of 11.
MANPADS Attacks on Civil Aircraft Since 1975
WHO MAKES AND POSSESSES MANPADS?
Some 20 countries have produced or have licenses to produce MANPADS or their components. These include Bulgaria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Japan, the Netherlands, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
It is estimated that over 1 million MANPADS missiles have been manufactured worldwide since they were first produced in 1967. The United States believes that most of these systems are either in national inventories or have been destroyed. However, in many cases, these systems have not been accounted for properly.
MANPADS are found in the stockpiles of many countries around the world, including those of manufacturing military nations. The United States believes that thousands are outside of the control of national governments and a number of terrorist organizations, including al Qaida, have MANPADS in their possession. The total number of MANPADS remaining in the global inventory is difficult to estimate with precision because the destruction of MANPADS systems—either by warfare, accident or systematic demilitarization—is not always tracked or publicized. Even more uncertain is the number of operational systems within that total inventory, as a number of variables—age, storage conditions, and quality of maintenance—influence the life-expectancy of such systems. Even vintage systems may remain functional long after their projected life-span, particularly if properly stored and maintained.
Given the unique threat posed by MANPADS to aviation due to their ease of use, relatively small size and portability, the United States exercises strict controls over production, storage, and transportation of its MANPADS. The U.S. exercises diligence when selling them to other governments in order to ensure that they are properly secured and not sold or transferred to others without prior consent.
The black market cost of MANPADS can vary widely, ranging from as little as a few hundred dollars, to several thousand dollars, depending on the model and its condition. Given the relatively low cost of some of these systems, there is a heightened risk for acquisition by terrorists or other non-state actors.
WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES DOING TO COUNTER THE PROLIFERATION OF MANPADS?
On January 24, 2008, the White House announced that in keeping with the priority placed on this issue, President Bush had accorded the Personal Rank of Ambassador to Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr., who serves as the Department of State’s Special Envoy for MANPADS Threat Reduction (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/jan/99683.htm). Special Envoy Bloomfield leads the interagency task force that is implementing the United States International Aviation Threat Reduction Plan — a component of the broader National Strategy for Aviation Security— to protect global aviation from MANPADS. The Special Envoy engages high-level foreign government officials on U.S. efforts to reduce the worldwide threat from excess, loosely-secured, or otherwise at-risk MANPADS.
The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA, www.state.got/t/pm/wra) manages the United States program to eliminate or better secure excess, obsolete, loosely secured, or otherwise at-risk MANPADS that could fall into the hands of non-state actors. WRA assists countries to secure their stockpiles, to maintain reliable inventories of their systems, and/or to destroy those MANPADS stocks that are not needed for national defense. Many MANPADS currently retained in national stockpiles are aged and obsolete, hence are relatively ineffective against modern military aircraft, but could still pose a threat to slower-moving civilian aircraft.
The Office of Conventional Arms Threat Reduction (CATR, http://t.state.gov/t/isn/bureauorg/ocatr.htm) in the Bureau for International Security and Nonproliferation works through bilateral and multilateral engagement, with an emphasis on responsible export controls, to prevent illicit transfers of MANPADS or the technology to produce the weapons.
The U.S. Department of Defense supports international negotiations by providing expertise on the proper management and control of MANPADS in foreign holdings, and by enforcing stringent physical security and accountability for MANPADS in U.S. possession. The Department of Defense established the Golden Sentry program to monitor the end use of MANPADS sold through Foreign Military Sales to ensure that they are not diverted for unauthorized use. Golden Sentry is supported by the Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA, http://www.dtra.mil/salw), and the U.S. Army.
MULTILATERAL EFFORTS. Under the auspices of the Office of Conventional Arms Threat Reduction, the United States has worked in a number of international fora to obtain agreement with countries to strengthen controls over the export of MANPADS and to enhance weapons stockpile security. Over 95 countries have agreed to adopt measures that ensure the standards established are put in place.
At the June 2003 G-8 Evian Summit, leaders agreed to a U.S.-initiated MANPADS Action Plan that includes the following measures:
* provide assistance and technical expertise for the destruction of excess MANPADS;
* adopt stringent national export controls on MANPADS and their essential components;
* ban transfers of MANPADS to non-state end-users; MANPADS should only be exported to foreign governments or to agents authorized by a government;
* exchange information on uncooperative countries and entities;
* examine for new MANPADS the feasibility of adding specific technical performance or launch control features that preclude their unauthorized use; and
* encourage action in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Aviation Security Working Group on MANPADS (ICAO Resolution A-35-WP/50).
The G-8 continued to actively focus on implementation of these measures through 2004 and, in 2005 and 2006, the U.S. provided G-8 leaders with the implementation status of the MANPADS Action Plan. To date, preliminary discussions on possible MANPADS-specific agenda items are underway between the Department of State and its G-8 counterparts.
In December 2003, the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (http://www.wassenaar.org/), the first multilateral institution covering conventional weapons and sensitive dual-use goods and technologies, adopted strengthened guidelines for control over MANPADS transfers (http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/othr/misc/82052.htm). These guidelines detail how countries will evaluate exports of MANPADS; conditions they will set for recipients to receive the systems; and how systems will be stored, transported, used, inventoried, and inspected.
Similar guidelines were adopted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in May 2004 (http://www.osce.org/documents/html/pdftohtml/2965_en.pdf.html). Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) adopted these guidelines in November 2004. In June 2005, the 35th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) also adopted similar guidelines in Resolution AG/RES 2145 (XXXV-O/05; http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/62391.htm).
The United States is continuing efforts in all of these and other regional fora to emphasize the need for implementation. The United States has submitted to the Wassenaar Arrangement and the OSCE a detailed paper on how the United States controls MANPADS. Since then, over half of the participating states have submitted papers on their MANPADS control. In addition, the MANPADS guidelines were updated at the 2007 Plenary.
On February 18, 2005, the United States announced the start of a NATO Partnership for Peace Trust Fund Project to help Ukraine destroy stockpiles of its excess munitions, small arms, light weapons, and MANPADS (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/42472.htm).
BILATERAL COOPERATION. United States bilateral efforts are focused on regions and countries where there is a combination of excess MANPADS stocks, poor control, or a demonstrable risk of proliferation to terrorist groups or other undesirable end-users. The United States works with countries whose MANPADS might be vulnerable to develop a nonproliferation strategy to reduce stocks, secure remaining weapons, and ensure that the host governments have in place appropriate policies and procedures for controlling exports.
On February 24, 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Ivanov signed the “United States-Russia Arrangement on Cooperation in Enhancing Control of Man-portable Air Defense Systems” (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/42647.htm) in Bratislava, Slovakia to facilitate mutual destruction of obsolete or excess MANPADS, exchange information on controlling MANPADS including improving measures to enhance physical security, and to share information about MANPADS sales and transfers to third countries.
A group of Chechen separatists pose with MANPADS.
The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement uses the Non-proliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related (NADR) Small Arms and Light Weapons Destruction Program funds (www.gao.gov/new.items/d04521.pdf) to:
* destroy obsolete MANPADS which have little military value but could be lethal against global aviation in the hands of terrorists; and
* improve physical safety and security as well as standards of inventory control and accountability of MANPADS that may be needed for legitimate self-defense purposes to ensure that remaining stocks are not stolen or illicitly transferred.
Since 2003, the U.S. Department of State has enabled the destruction of nearly 26,000 MANPADS in 25 countries in Africa, Central America, Eastern Europe, and South East Asia.
MAG ,Mines Advisory Group, America and the Burundian Army worked together under a U.S. Department of State Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement grant to safely destroy over 100 excess MANPADS in Bu
A few examples of some successes illustrate the Department of State’s extensive efforts. The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement assisted Bosnia and Herzegovina in destroying its government-held stockpile of almost 6,000 MANPADS between 2003 and 2004, helped to destroy 45 MANPADS in Liberia in 2003, and helped Cambodia to destroy its entire stock of 233 MANPADS in 2004 as well as better secure other weapons kept for its national defense purposes. To date, PM/WRA has facilitated Hungary’s destruction of over 1,500 MANPADS, Macedonia’s destruction of 156 MANPADS, and Montenegro’s destruction of 1,500 MANPADS, and has funded the securing of over 100 MANPADS in Afghanistan as part of a broader weapons collection and destruction effort in that country.
The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement’s MANPADS programs are supported by the DTRA’s Small Arms and Light Weapons Branch, which provides physical security and stockpile management seminars and assessments. DTRA’s programs orient host nation experts to international best practices, assess current host nation practices, and offer tailored advice to countries on how to better secure their MANPADS and other weapons retained for national defense purposes. All of this assistance is offered at little or no cost to the host nation. The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement can, in some cases, provide technical and financial assistance to implement DTRA’s recommendations. Assistance may also be provided to countries at the request of the United States’ Geographic Combatant Commanders or other elements of the U.S. Department of Defense.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS, www.dhs.gov) supports international efforts, and has established an International MANPADS Assist Visit (MAV) program within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA, www.tsa.gov). This program assists host nations in conducting vulnerability assessments to identify potential launch areas around their international airports, and develop mitigation strategies to counter the threat. Since 2003, TSA has assisted 23 countries in conducting 29 MAVs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
If you have information concerning the illegal possession of MANPADS, immediately contact the appropriate law enforcement authorities in your country.
Americans who are living or traveling overseas who wish to report the illicit possession of or location of illicitly-held MANPADS should contact the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the nearest U.S. Embassy, or the Legal Attaché at the specific U.S. Embassies listed on this website www.fbi.gov/contact/legat/legat.htm, as soon as possible.
In the United States, American citizens, other residents, and visitors who have knowledge about the possession or location of illicit MANPADS, both in the United States or in other countries, should immediately report this information to the nearest field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by telephone, or by e-mail using this web tip sheet: https://tips.fbi.gov/. Or, they may telephone the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) at this toll-free number: 1-888-ATF-BOMB (or 1-800-283-2662).
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17072819/detail.html
2 Dead After SUV Drives Wrong Way
Police Investigate 5-Car Accident
Paula Vargas, Contributing Editor
POSTED: 10:04 am MDT August 2, 2008
UPDATED: 1:22 pm MDT August 2, 2008
snipped...........
Police said witnesses reported seeing an SUV driving northbound on Santa Fe which swerved into the southbound lane on Santa Fe and collided head-on with several other vehicles.
“He just swerved over into the southbound lane and ended up cutting right in front of all the traffic as soon as it got close to him,” said Laura Scott, who witnessed the accident. “He hit the green car and we saw an explosion of debris and saw him flip up into the air and spin around. He ended up landing on the red car and then rolled from there onto the guardrail.”
continued.
[On the scanner at one of the scan denver.net links, this morning, I heard an Officer say [with strong feelings]
“this is no ‘accident it was___’, “
I couldn’t understand what he meant, as it went garbled, now that I read the article, I begin to understand.
One of the Officers said that the speed was 75 to 80 miles per hour.
Police in Denver and Las Vegas were busy last night, more arrests than usual and more calls answered, both were short on officers and some calls were 2 hours waiting for an officer to arrive.
If we do not have enough Officers for a Friday night in a town, what happens when something big comes down?
granny
http://www.850koa.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=104673&article=4031341
VIDEO: Naked Man Carjacks a Bus
Witnesses tell police the nude man punched out the glass door of the bus, climbed on board and took control of the wheel.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
VIDEO: Naked man ‘busjacks’ driver
Las Vegas police have arrested a man, who allegedly carjacked a bus driver while naked.
Witnesses tell police the nude man punched out the glass door of the bus, climbed on board and took control of the wheel.
The driver of the bus suffered a cut to his face, but managed to jump off the bus. There were no passengers aboard the handicapped CAT bus at the time of the incident.
Police arrested Charles Sell minutes later. They say he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Sell was booked for Grand Larceny Auto and Robbery.
Photo Copyright Getty Images
Copyright © 2003-2008 Clear Channel. All rights reserved.
http://www.850koa.com/pages/gunnybob.html
To listen to Freeper Gunny Bob program on air, go to above page.
Also note his topics on Obama and the democrat’s convention.
So far I can’t get his programs to play, but am attempting to.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080802/ap_on_re_us/wisconsin_shooting
Woman says man held in Wis. shootings raped her
By JAMES A. CARLSON, Associated Press WriterSat Aug 2, 1:38 PM ET
A woman said a man suspected of opening fire on a group of young adults, killing three, had raped her the night before in the same northern Wisconsin woods where the victims were slain.
The woman said she told her parents about the assault, and they reported it to authorities. She said officers came to her home late Thursday, mentioned the shootings that occurred earlier that day along a riverbank in the town of Niagara — near the same spot where she claimed to have been sexually assaulted — and asked her to describe her attacker.
The suspect, whom the woman described as a casual friend, was arrested Friday after he emerged from the woods following an all-night manhunt.
Scott J. Johnson, 38, is expected to appear in court Monday or Tuesday, Marinette County Chief deputy Jerry Sauve said Saturday. He said it wasn’t yet clear if charges would be filed before that court appearance.
continued.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080802/ap_on_re_us/maui_spy_case;_ylt=ApYjh4SQITt.bMnrjgEj4I5H2ocA
Hawaii man accused of helping China design missile
By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press Writer 21 minutes ago
Cheryl Gowadia couldn’t figure out why FBI agents in riot gear, guns drawn, were storming her home on Maui’s tranquil North Shore.
At first, she thought they might be after the man building a pond in her backyard. Instead, she was stunned to learn they wanted to question her husband, a former B-2 stealth bomber engineer.
“This came out of nowhere,” Gowadia said.
A week later, on Oct. 13, 2005, agents arrested Noshir Gowadia, a native of India who received a Ph.D. at 15, on suspicion he sold military secrets to China.
continued and has more details..............
snipped.........
In Chengdu in 2003, Gowadia allegedly gave Chinese engineers and officials classified information about missile exhaust systems that emit little heat and thus are hard to detect. The city is home to the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute, which created the J-10, a state-of-the-art fighter plane China unveiled last year.
Prosecutors allege Gowadia pocketed $110,000 over two years for his exhaust nozzle design.
He’s also accused of attempting to sell classified stealth technology to the Swiss government and to businesses in Israel and Germany.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080802/ap_on_re_us/overturned_missile
ND towns unfazed by ICBM rocket booster in ditch
By JAMES MacPHERSON, Associated Press WriterSat Aug 2, 3:23 PM ET
There’s plenty to talk about at the weekly women’s coffee klatch in the small town of Parshall, and no one bothered to mention the unarmed booster rocket for an intercontinental ballistic missile lying in a ditch where an Air Force truck overturned.
“We talked about the oil boom, weddings — everything under the sun,” Arlene Zacher said Saturday. “But nobody ever mentioned that missile. I guess that shows that people aren’t worried about it — I’m certainly not.”
The Air Force said a truck carrying the booster for a Minuteman III overturned Thursday a few miles east of Parshall in northwest North Dakota, but there was no danger to the public.
The truck and booster rocket, which is 66 feet long and weighs 75,000 pounds, were still sitting along the road Saturday, under armed guard.
“The scene is still in the assessment phase,” said Maj. Laurie A. Arellano, an Air Force spokeswoman. “It’s still on its side in the ditch.”
Arellano said the wreck would stay there for a least a few more days.
“It has to be 100 percent stable for movement. It’s not a quick process — we have to make sure everything is stable first,” Arellano said.
continued.
I got it to work, the start button is so small that I could not see it.
Playing his program on the convention plans and rights.
After this [?] program, he had a heart attack and is in the hospital.
The Gunny Bob show.
I hope he is going to get well fast and not miss the convention, as he has strong Freeper opinions.
This is what I am hearing:
He says 50,000 terrorists/anarchists/democrats are expected.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055650/posts
Syrian President’s Top Aide Assassinated
ArutzSheva ^ | August 3, 2008 | Hana Levi Julian
Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2008 12:31:31 AM by ScaniaBoy
(IsraelNN.com) Syrian President Bashar Assad’s top aide and adviser, General Mohammed Suleiman, was assassinated on Friday, according to Arab news sources.
Suleiman, who was also Syria’s liaison officer to the Hizbullah terrorist organization in Lebanon, was shot and killed by an unidentified sniper in the Syrian port city of Tartous.
Syrian authorities tried unsuccessfully to prevent publication of the news. The country’s Albawaba newspaper, which reported the incident, speculated that Israel might have been behind the killing.
Both Albawaba and the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper raised the issue of last February’s assassination of Hizbullah second-in-command Imad Mughniyeh, who died in a car bombing in Damascus. Syria blamed Israel for the killing, but Jerusalem denied any involvement.
Hello granny,
Were these 2 notices linked and were they redistributed recently on the fbi site?
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1071194.html
Cities of Light ambitious or just crazy?
Multi-billion-dollar plan envisions 100 cities
From The Economist
Sun. Aug 3 - 5:34 AM
One of Osama bin Laden’s many half-brothers, Tarek bin Laden, this past week signed a deal with tiny Djibouti which might — or might not — mark the start of one of the world’s boldest engineering projects.
Djibouti’s president, Ismael Omar Guelleh, promised bin Laden 500 square kilometres of land to start building Noor City, the first of a hundred Cities of Light the vast Saudi Binladen Group plans around the world.
“A hope for all humanity, the first environmental city of the 21st century,” gushed the promotional video at the signing. The audience, mostly American military contractors near retirement age, clapped enthusiastically. Engineers elsewhere say the scheme is a fantasy.
continues.........
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24117303-401,00.html
Lost MI5 fax ‘could have stopped bombings’
By Lucy Ballinger and David Williams in London
August 03, 2008 03:29am
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
A CHANCE to stop the 7/7 London bombers who killed 52 people and
injured hundreds more may have been missed when a secret services fax
to police went missing.
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