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Apocalypse Now, or Alottanukes Soon
Asia Times ^ | November 15, 2002 | Pepe Escobar

Posted on 11/14/2002 7:48:21 AM PST by newuserOH2002

Edited on 11/14/2002 8:03:24 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

At a time when a tape handed over to the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television station has received widespread expose for its purported comments by Osama bin Laden in praise of recent terror events around the world, another al-Qaeda message released to the same station has received little coverage.

Al-Jazeera was granted an interview with one Mohammed al-Usuquf, allegedly al-Qaeda's number three. Al-Usuquf is said to be a doctor in physics and to hold a masters degree in international economics. A copy of the interview was sent to the prestigious Arab-language daily Al Quds Al Arabi, edited in London, but it was not printed.

Asia Times Online has obtained a copy of the interview, and reproduces excerpts here, with the caveat that the identity of the man has not yet been confirmed, nor has his membership within al- Qaeda.

Al-Usuquf says that al-Qaeda's Kuwaiti spokesman, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, and bin Laden himself, suggested that he grant the interview. Bin Laden, he says, is "alive and healthy, along with his commanders Mohammed Atef, Khalid Shaik Mohammed and Mullah Omar".

Al-Usuquf starts by criticizing Washington's disrespect of the Kyoto Protocol on climatic change, the International Criminal Court and the Palestinian cause, as well as the "financial greed" engendering speculative gains over Third World countries. He also criticizes the manner in which America wastes wealth, like US$80 billion a year on gambling. "They [have] lost the notion of spirituality and only live in sin."

For this reason, America must be destroyed, and al-Usuquf insists that "aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and spy satellites will be worthless in the next war".

Al-Qaeda, according to him, has 5,000 first rank operatives and around 20,000 all over the world. Of all the prisoners in the US, only "20 or 30" are al-Qaeda, and all of them "second-rank". Confirming Asia Times Online information, he swears that there are no first- rank prisoners in Guantanamo in Cuba. Al-Usuquf says, "We have more than 500 first-rank and 800 second-rank [operatives] inside the US." "First rank" are considered ones that have lived in the US for more than 10 years, most of them married with children. "They have an idea about the plans, and they are just waiting for a call." "Second-rank" operatives arrived in the past five years and "have no idea about the plans". They are all willing to die.

Al-Usuquf insists that September 11 "was just the beginning. It was a way to call the world's attention to what's going to happen." He then details a plan to destroy the US by "attacking the heart of what they consider the most important thing in the world: money".

"The American economy is an economy of false appearances," says al-Usuquf. "There's no real economic weight. American GNP is something around $10 trillion, but only 1 percent comes from agriculture, and only 24 percent from industry. So 75 percent of its GNP comes from services, and most of it is financial speculation. For someone who understands economics, and apparently America's Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill does not, or cannot, the US as a whole behaves like an immense dot.com, and dollars are its stocks. The value of stocks from a given company is directly proportional to its profitability. When a company only provides services, but does not produce goods, the value of its stocks depends on its credibility. What I'm saying is if US credibility is affected, its stocks - the US dollar - will fall at tremendous speed, and the whole American economy will collapse."

Al-Usuquf is absolutely positive, "because, in a smaller scale, this is exactly what big financial conglomerates do with Third World countries to collect profits in one month that no Swiss bank would guarantee in four to five years". Al-Usuquf says that al-Qaeda could do the same by "provoking a deficit of $50 to 70 trillion, the equivalent to five to seven years of the GNP of the US". How? By "destroying America's seven largest cities and some other measures". The means? "Atomic bombs." Al-Usuquf's most startling revelation is that the bombs "won't be launched, they are already there". "Seven nuclear heads have already been positioned on American soil, before September 11, and they are ready to be detonated. Before September 11, American security was a fiasco, and even later, if we needed, we could position the bombs there. They arrived through seaports, as normal cargo. A nuclear head is not bigger than a fridge, so it can easily be camouflaged as one. Thousands of containers arrive at a seaport every day, and even with very efficient security, it's impossible to check and examine each one of them."

Al-Usuquf says that the bombs were bought on the black market: five from the former USSR and two from Pakistan. The five Russian heads "are from T-3 missiles, also known as RD-107, and their power is around 100 kilotons each, that is five times the Hiroshima bomb. The Pakistani ones are less powerful, something around 10 kilotons each."

Each of the Russian bombs would have cost around $200 million. Al-Qaeda was able to raise the money "because we have many sponsors. Many countries sponsor us, and also some very rich people." And not all of these are Arab countries. "Some European countries as well are also interested in the fall of the US." As to the "rich people", they are "people who are also tired of seeing the US bleeding the rest of the world."

And Iraq's Saddam Hussein, says Al-Usuquf, is not one of these people, "but just a collaborator, represented by Abdul Tawab Hawaish, his vice prime minister and responsible for Iraq's arms program".

Al-Usuquf says that the bombs cannot be detected by US authorities. "Even if they are old, they were modernized and are very well hidden. Even if they were located, they have autodetonation mechanisms in case something or someone gets close. Even an electromagnetic pulse is not capable of deactivating them." The bombs allegedly cannot be detected because "they are enveloped in thick layers of lead". They could be detonated "by various methods - cellphone call, radio frequency, seismic shock or by their regressive clock".

Al-Usuquf details the whole plan. "First, one head would be detonated, which would cause the deaths of 800,000 to 1 million people and a chaos never seen before. During this chaos, two or three planes, which are now disassembled inside barns near empty roads in the US countryside, would take off in suicide missions to pulverize another two or three big American cities with chemicals. Once the disease was identified, all seaports and airports would be quarantined. Land borders would also be closed. No plane, boat or car would enter or leave the US. This would be total chaos." The first target would be the city "that would offer the best conditions, for example bright sky and winds of eight or more miles an hour blowing towards the center of the country, so radioactive dust can contaminate the largest possible area".

This attack would not knock out the US, recognizes al-Usuquf, "But the process would be initiated. As with the World Trade Center, it would be just a question of time for the whole economic structure to be turned to dust. If the objectives are reached with one bomb and diseases, probably we will save the lives of other people, but it's risky, and probably six more bombs will be detonated, one a week, and more attacks with chemical weapons will be launched." According to estimates made by al-Usuquf "and Ayman al- Zawahiri", al-Qaeda's number 2, about 15 million people would die, victims of the bombs and the radiation. Among those contaminated by diseases, "25 percent will die, a figure around more than 5 million, plus many others due to the chaos and disorder".

Al-Usuquf does not fear an American military response. "Even if five or 10 cities are chosen at random to be destroyed, it will still be a small price to pay. The problem is that the economic despair will be so great that even if it saves [money] by not using weapons, American liquidity will be near zero, and the US will make more money selling a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to Turkey or Italy for $5 billion, because they will urgently need to recapitalize. But it will be too late. Moreover, what will remain of an American soldier's morale to fight knowing that his whole family died and his country ceased to exist? To fight for what?"

The world economy would not collapse, says al-Usuquf, although "in the beginning, it will be very difficult. But without the US the world will soon rise in a more just and fraternal manner. Nothing can stop the plan."

And whatever America does, "it's too late". When will the attack begin? "I can't tell."

(Excerpt) Read more at atimes.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; alqaedanukes; alqaedastrategy; alusuquf; escobar; globaljihad; hoax; pepeescobar; terrisom; withdrawn
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To: 556x45; newuserOH2002
While this is an unlikely scenario, IMHO, it is possible. We here are more or less unable to comphrehend the true motivation and sickness that these Al-Qaida ba$tards have. In any case, I do agree that if they, or anyone else, wanted to smuggle in nukes, germs or anything else to this country, we couldn't stop them. We have thousands of miles of coastline, and the War on (Some) Drugs proves that where there's a will, there's a way.

Interesting...Im not sure why they need anything more than conventional weapons to meet their goal of financial collapse. The biggest buying season is nearly upon us - one that retailers depend on to keep them going. If that is significantly interrupted then most companies are in a world of hurt. If its done in such a way to keep shoppers away for a long period they'd fold. Look at the financial fall out from 9/11. Most of the airlines are on or nearly on the ropes.

I was surprised that they didn't do something last year like put a few guys into 100 different malls with guns. Between the anthrax attacks that seriously slowed down the Post Office and the package delivery people, and an attack like that, the whole economy would've shut down.

41 posted on 11/14/2002 8:27:21 AM PST by Ancesthntr
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To: Apple Pan Dowdy
I just read my previous post and realized all the spelling typos I made...... its because my hands are shaking and I am sick at my stomach to see such hate. In my heart I know that men (even Islamic terrorist) are not capable of such hate without help. This kind of hate comes from Satan who is alive and well and spreading his evil. This kind of evil breeds of off fear. As Americans we must get a grip and stand strong, not in fear.... face these mad men and claim the power of our God. Are we still capable of doing that. I pray so!
42 posted on 11/14/2002 8:27:55 AM PST by Apple Pan Dowdy
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To: newuserOH2002
Al-Usuquf says that al-Qaeda's Kuwaiti spokesman, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, and bin Laden himself, suggested that he grant the interview. Bin Laden, he says, is "alive and healthy, along with his commanders Mohammed Atef, Khalid Shaik Mohammed and Mullah Omar".

Hmmm... I thought the Kuwaitis arrested Ghaith.

Atef was confirmed killed in an airstrike.

And why no mention of the egyptian doctor, Ayman Al Zawahiri, Bin Laden's #2 man?

43 posted on 11/14/2002 8:28:59 AM PST by DaisyCutter
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To: newuserOH2002
"with the caveat that the identity of the man has not yet been confirmed, nor has his membership within al- Qaeda. "

This guy sounds like the obnoxious spoiled brat who threatens the entire school yard with every type of bean-shooter he can think of. He paints a scary scenario, but I think it's pure BS. He claims to know about all of the weapons and details of the plan but doesn't know when it will happen? Or won't admit it. And where's the usual praise to allah?

"and the whole American economy will collapse." and the rest of the world's economy with it.

44 posted on 11/14/2002 8:30:41 AM PST by fivecatsandadog
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To: dhfnc
And also, not take the chance we would find these nuclear heads before they detonated them.

My thoughts turn to the "radioactive" cargo that turned out to be ceramice tiles. It is impossible to shield large amounts of radioactive material from sensitive detectors. I suspect there are detectors in space right now looking for suspicious ships.

The technology that was developed for radio astronomy and certainly detect any large quantity of radioactive material.

I rather doubt the feds would discuss this in any detail.

45 posted on 11/14/2002 8:30:58 AM PST by js1138
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To: Skywalk
I believe through the ruinous influence of wealth and leisure and most importantly the LEFT

I used to think this also. I think these things (except the left, that really is a huge and present danger) will, in the end, be the things that give us strength.

46 posted on 11/14/2002 8:31:06 AM PST by riri
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To: Skywalk
"I mean, who would we nuke? .....Would we just nuke terrorist states like Syria and Saudi Arabia.....Or would we just do an Israeli-type Samson Option and nuke Islam out of existence?"

Its not the point of WHO we would Nuke... the point is that we need to put the fear of God in them that we WOULD do it to to the entire Muslim/Arab world. Like I said, thats all they understand.

47 posted on 11/14/2002 8:32:21 AM PST by Apple Pan Dowdy
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To: Defiant
I more or less agree with your analysis. We wouldn't fold up and die. The Soviets lost 26 million in WW2, but turned their entire country into a giant arms factory in order to first survive and then to totally annililate their would-be conquerers. We would do no less, regardless of the casualties. And if anyone we had blood in our eye after 3,000 dead, then several million dead would literally make the Earth tremble. If something even close to this scenario takes place, then the Arab world had better have a large supply of 1 million sunblock, or their going to have a real bad forever.
48 posted on 11/14/2002 8:32:59 AM PST by Ancesthntr
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To: Skywalk
See my post #38. I don't think we would immediately retaliate, unless we could trace the attack to a specific country. Instead, we would round up all Muslims in the US, occupy their countries and de-islamify the world the same way we de-nazified it 60 years ago.

If the President wanted to nuke Mecca immediately, I wouldn't mind.

49 posted on 11/14/2002 8:33:11 AM PST by Defiant
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To: Ancesthntr
Strike "anyone" from my previous post.
50 posted on 11/14/2002 8:34:06 AM PST by Ancesthntr
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To: Poohbah
"I doubt that a bunch of camel-fornicating al-Qaeda types will have the spare parts or the technical expertise needed to perform said maintenance. "

Some of the world's best engineers come from Pakistan......I'm sure that if they purchased these devices or manufactured them they had the foresight to aquire the technical expertise and spare materials required to maintain their "investment" You don't need rocket scientists to maintain this equipment, just to build it....

Are you willing to bet they didn't?

NeverGore

51 posted on 11/14/2002 8:35:12 AM PST by nevergore
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To: SCR1
Isn't the real moral of the story that they know how to destroy us. It's all about the Economy! They know us better than we know ourselves. Did not America defeat the USSR by outspending them?? They are not looking to kill all of us (and certainly can't), but certainly reduce our global reach.

These folks are delusional. I don't doubt they can inflict pain, but when they hurt our economy, they hurt the entire world, including their own. These folks have absolutely no source of income other than oil. When there is no one to buy it they will starve.

I think of the stamping apes from the movie "2001"

52 posted on 11/14/2002 8:36:55 AM PST by js1138
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To: Skywalk
Those kind of men are still here, and would be in charge under those kind of circumstances.
53 posted on 11/14/2002 8:38:29 AM PST by Defiant
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To: denydenydeny
"openly climbing on board with the global left. It's the Axis of Unwashed Evil."

Absolutely right. Hillary CLinton, Algore, and all the American Communists could have written this list of "American crimes", couldn't she/they?

No to Kyoto

No to International Courts

No to Palestinian "cause"

Hillary and company are in league with the Islamoterrorists. Which makes the Anti-Christ Axis a lot more than Iran, Iraq, and N. Korea. It makes it Communist China, it makes it most of Europe, and now much of S. America. And of course the entire Islamic world....stretching to Malaysia and the PHillipines.

They are powerful and well funded and their target is US - the USA and our President who has firmly stood against the Anti-Christic - Global "Powers" working in concert against every man, woman, and child in America.

As Bibi Netanyahu said recently - Israel is small Satan to them. America is the GREAT SATAN - and Hillary and her Marxists friends and allies around the world could not agree more!

54 posted on 11/14/2002 8:38:52 AM PST by Freedom'sWorthIt
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To: Ancesthntr
I more or less agree with your analysis. We wouldn't fold up and die. The Soviets lost 26 million in WW2, but turned their entire country into a giant arms factory in order to first survive and then to totally annililate their would-be conquerers. We would do no less, regardless of the casualties. And if anyone we had blood in our eye after 3,000 dead, then several million dead would literally make the Earth tremble.

I have to agree with that. 9/11 induced shock, then horror, and then outrage. The giant stirred slightly and slapped aside the Taliban as one would a pesky fly interrupting your sleep. But the deaths of even just tens of thousands would so enrage the populace that these clowns would realize the true meaning of anger.

US Factories were once turned into the armory of the world, I have no doubts that they would again if the need ever arose. I don't think 9/11, as atrocious as it was, was enough to give the entire nation an "it's either us or them attitude." Something on a larger scale certainly would, and as the Japanese later discovered, you awaken the giant at your own peril.

55 posted on 11/14/2002 8:41:51 AM PST by DaisyCutter
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To: vin-one
It depends: the suitcase bombs that use tritium would fail if the tritium is not renewed. But that is not what was described. Nukes can have a very long shelf-life - several years - depending on how they are made.
56 posted on 11/14/2002 8:45:12 AM PST by eno_
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To: nevergore
Some of the world's best engineers come from Pakistan

They're too busy maintaining Pakistan's nukes...in Pakistan.

57 posted on 11/14/2002 8:46:08 AM PST by Poohbah
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To: eno_
But that is not what was described. Nukes can have a very long shelf-life - several years - depending on how they are made.

Initiators do not last several years.

58 posted on 11/14/2002 8:46:49 AM PST by Poohbah
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To: DaisyCutter
Since we know that Atef was killed in an airstrike, I guess saying that UBL is "alive and healthy, along with ... Atef" means UBL is dead as a doornail, too?

59 posted on 11/14/2002 8:48:59 AM PST by Campion
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To: newuserOH2002
War on Iraq could trigger an Armageddon, says daily (BARF) is also a fun read ;)
60 posted on 11/14/2002 8:49:15 AM PST by chance33_98
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