Al-Qaeda made 'dirty bomb' (in Afghanistan with help from the Taliban)

The Daily Telegraph ^ | January 31 2003

[knighthawk]

OSAMA bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network successfully built a crude radiological device known as a "dirty bomb" in Afghanistan, the British Broadcasting Corp has reported.

British intelligence agents infiltrated the network and learned that terrorists had built the device near Herat in western Afghanistan, the BBC said, citing unidentified British government officials.

Britain's Foreign Office said today the report substantiated expert opinion that al-Qaeda wanted to develop a nuclear weapon.

"The evidence presented in the BBC report speaks for itself," a spokesman said.

"It provides proof to substantiate expert opinion that al-Qaeda was interested in developing nuclear weapons."

According to the BBC, the Taliban regime helped al-Qaeda construct the device, which has not been recovered, by providing medical isotopes.

There has been previous evidence of al-Qaeda's interest in developing a "dirty bomb" - a conventional bomb that would scatter radioactive material. Such a radiological weapon would be far less deadly and damaging than a nuclear explosion.

Computers found by journalists and US troops at a variety of facilities in Afghanistan indicated al-Qaeda had sought to obtain and develop nuclear and other potent weapons.

During a New York trial two years ago stemming from bombings at two US embassies in Africa, a former bin Laden aide testified he was ordered in 1993 to try to buy uranium on the black market for an effort to develop a nuclear weapon. Jamal Ahmed Al-Fadl said al-Qaeda was prepared to spend $US1.5 million ($2.5 million), but he did not know if a purchase was made.

In addition, US officials have said captured al-Qaeda lieutenant Abu Zubaydah told American interrogators the terrorist network was working on a "dirty bomb".

Authorities also have said that Jose Padilla, the former Chicago gang member charged with plotting with al-Qaeda, attended two meetings in Karachi, Pakistan, at which senior al-Qaeda operatives discussed the possible use of a "dirty bomb".

A United Nations report issued by experts monitoring al-Qaeda movements warned that al-Qaeda has the potential to obtain nuclear material and build "some kind of dirty bomb".

The BBC said documents discovered by the intelligence agents were sent to the British Government's weapons research facility in Porton Down, southern England. Scientists concluded al-Qaeda had constructed a small "dirty bomb", not a full-blown nuclear device.

In November the British Government issued - and then hurriedly withdrew - a statement warning that al-Qaeda might be prepared to use a "dirty bomb", or some kind of poison gas. It was replaced with a more general warning of terrorist threats.

[RightWhale]

target the rock

What will that accomplish? They don't go in for idol worship.

[ArneFufkin]

Dirty bomb? If we can send a man to the moon, we should be able to design a 2000 lb. bomb that cleans up after itself.

[Peach]

Just saw MadIvan's post re this too. Watch this not be reported in the mainstream press but they report Mandela's rant. The media seem to want us ignorant and quite possibly dead.

[ArneFufkin]

Dog ... VX gas.

That's as serious as it gets.

[Peach]

This is why the government is rolling out the biological detectors so soon. Anyone know where they will be placed? High target areas only?

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for the ping! And who supplied the Taliban would be my question? Wouldn't surprise me if this is part of the Saddam - Al Qaeda - Taliban connection they have been mentioning.

[Peach]

Most definitely. Saddam is the one with the money, technology and motive to provide the terrorists the means to make dirty bombs.

[swarthyguy]

Whaddya think? ....

U.S. issues warnings for Kuwait, Saudi
By Eli J. Lake
UPI State Department Correspondent
From the International Desk
Published 1/30/2003 7:40 PM
View printer-friendly version


WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The State Department Thursday advised all U.S. citizens in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to consider departing, and offered staff family members at the consulates and embassies in the two countries a free ticket home.

Two separate travel warnings with nearly identical language site only "increased security concerns," as the reason for the decision to recommend departure.

They follow a worldwide cable last week to all U.S. diplomatic posts overseas which advised U.S. citizens to leave "given the potential for acts of violence, terrorism, or anti-American demonstrations."

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have both allowed the U.S. military to use bases in their respective countries for operations against Iraq, though in the case of Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan Air Force base can not be used for tactical bombings or air missions of an offensive nature.

At the same time, the Saudis in particular have said publicly they would only support a war against Iraq if approved by the United Nations. The Saudi foreign minister met with President Bush Thursday, amid recent speculation that Saudi Arabia or another Arab country may host Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in exile.


Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International


Notable, IMO, this comes after FMFaisal met with Powell today.

[Mo1]

Did you by any chance see the the news clips of the Dims up on the hill complaining that Powell is taking this info to the UN next week and not to them first??

[Dog]

Ballon is about to go up...... 10 days away maybe less.

[Mo1]

I think you're right Dog ..

[Dog]

fyi..

[cmsgop]

Thank You Fine Lady!

[ArneFufkin]

Oh, and the Iraqi version of huggable Mr. Rogers has VX gas.

Well, he had it, but he misplaced it. But Hans Blix is on the trail, and he's going to hunt down that VX storehouse just as soon as he finds Saddam's VCR remote, his 50 cent off Chunky Sirloin Beef Soup coupon, and the AC adapter to his Electrodex phone file of "Despots and Camel Humpers". Of course, the UN inspection search is always hightlighted by a sumptuous lunch and a long refreshing nap.

[cmsgop]

I did!

It's like all of a sudden the Dems want to be Americans..........LOL!!!!!

[steveegg]

Vaporize the rock and the city and...

• They're forced to pray to a radioactive hole in the ground 5 times a day.
• No more hajj, part of which requires touching the aforementioned rock.
• Maybe, just maybe, the same sense of shock that got into Emperor Hirohito after Hiroshima/Nagasaki (though I will admit that is a long shot).

[Dog]

Did you see Hans Blix being interviewed by a Fox News reporter tonight....he admitted that it was possible the Iraqis were bugging his inspectors to get info.

[steveegg]

Ballon is about to go up...... 10 days away maybe less.

No later than next Saturday.

[Howlin]

Chris Dodd!

[Petronski]

Balloon is about to go up...... 10 days away maybe less.

When SecState has his Adlai Stevenson Moment next week, he will likely (unavoidably) end up burning some intelligence sources and tip the Iraqis to some of what we know. Would we not be under significant pressure to go as soon as possible after that moment?