Missiles smuggled into U.S.

Washington Times ^ | 5/31/02 | Bill Gertz

[kattracks]

The U.S. government has alerted airlines and law enforcement agencies that new intelligence indicates that Islamic terrorists have smuggled shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles into the United States.

Classified intelligence reports circulated among top Bush administration policymakers during the past two weeks identified the missiles as Russian-made SA-7 surface-to-air missiles or U.S.-made Stinger anti-aircraft missiles obtained covertly in Afghanistan, said intelligence officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

[Marine Inspector]

I agree with swarthyguy in post #15.

CYA. This way, no matter what happens, they are covered.

[rwfromkansas]

What is up with Bill Gertz here......did he not read what he was writing?.....first he said they are saying the missile are here. Then, he says they aren't. Huh?/

[Cultural Jihad]

One official said that intelligence report was given credence by Abu Zubaydah, the al Qaeda organization's operations chief, who was captured in Pakistan in March and who has been providing information about the terrorist group.

There's always some unnamed official being quoted, but Abu Zubaydah's name always gets a lot of play in the media. Disinformation campaign to keep the terrorists guessing?

[Jeff Chandler]

Can you say Flight 800 ?

[Freedom2specul8]

Ok this is not a joke..what's the difference between "intelligence" and a "specific threat".. Reports and observation?

[lavaroise]

I thought there was a ban on destructive devices? Maybe NYC could use one of these in case they would target the Empire state building or someth'n. Cheaper than F16s.

[goody2shooz]

...think about all those trucks and trains carrying nuclear reactor waste thru cities...Las Vegas has video of a spent fuel tank being punctured by a hand held, despite the gov propaganda saying it is soooooooooo safe.

I've been involved with the nuclear power industry for over 30 years. Never heard of a spent fuel "tank". Nuclear reactor containments can take on a jet liner crashing into it without much damage, however it isn't a tank and isn't portable. So, just what're you talking 'bout here?

[goody2shooz]

Intelligence is information gleaned from communications traffic interception (newspapers, radio broadcasts, cell phone conversations, etc.), discarded spent munitions discovered lying near military installations (Saudi Arabia) or actual observation via satellites.

A threat is, well, a threat.

[opinionator]

George Stephanopoulus did! On the morning of 911. Oops!

[Freedom2specul8]

Ok....so intelligence such as that mentioned in the article can be uncomfirmed threats, and true threats are confirmed. I get it now..thnx!

[goody2shooz]

Not exactly. Gathering intelligence is like collecting little pieces to a puzzle that eventually make up a picture. It is only confirmed when you have direct evidence, such as a terrorist standing at the east end of the LAX runways with a missile launcher perched on his/her shoulder.

A direct threat is what Osama bin Laden liked to make in his infamous videos. I guess you could call that confirmed.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

OK. So....when are they going to come out and say that TWA800 was definitely shot down like we all know it was. 13,500 feet is in range.

[TomGuy]

The most prominent assumption is that the missles, if in the US, would be related to airplanes/airports. However, we can't necessarily assume that. Consider:

Boxcutters are to airplanes as surface-to-air missles are to ?????.

They could be intended for a totally non-aircraft related purpose.

[upchuck]

I'd bet my left you-know-what this type of missile was used against TWA 800. Tin foil hat on firmly :) Asbestos suite fully buttoned up :)

[goody2shooz]

Of course. A weapons use is only limited by the lack of creativity (deviency?) exhibited by the individual who wields said weapon.

I just happened to use the LAX runway as an expample of a physical sighting used as an intelligence confirmation. Sheesh!

[exodus]

Can you say Flight 800 ?- Jeff Chandler

George Stephanopoulus did!
On the morning of 911.
Oops!
# 29 by opinionator

********************

Please, can you quote what Stephanopoulus said about Flight 800?
Better yet, do you have a link to the quote?

[UCANSEE2]

Well, they did have some in the U.S.

But, they mostly got used up on TWA800, and some other targets.

[goody2shooz]

I believe STEPHANOPOULOS has made those statements. TWA800 was shot down by friendly fire. The CLINTON Whitehouse knew about it when it happened because the President's staff was watching the Navy operations on closed circuit TV.