Posted on 01/30/2003 4:33:53 PM PST by 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.
People actually died safekeeping the launch date of Operation Overlord. Thousands of airmen perished on a "juke" to protect the time and place of that invasion.
I like the element of surprise in War. This UN process needs to be crumpled ... thrown onto the street ... then picked up shamefully and thrown onto the street next to a recycling bin.
Won't happen. We'll play "by the book" against Iraq in order to have the element of surprise still available should an attack against Iran or North Korea be required.
And at that point in time the U.S. response to the UN will be something along the lines of "Oh, did we say that we'd debate this matter until next week?!"
Other than that, I'm bullish on the man.
Caption should read: "OK NOW we're sure Saddam HAD one weapon of mass destruction..."
I saw it and was a bit surprised .. normally Pat makes remarks of what the Dems are doing wrong and Chris always cuts him off
But Tuesday night Pat was ripping into the Republicans and making no sense at all ..
NO! I'm shocked, I tell you... Simply SHOCKED!
Precocious 3 1/2 year old Brittany could solve a "Where's Waldo" puzzle before Hans Blix.
My hatred of Bill Clinton is only growing stronger. He presumes to address an international banking meeting .... the night before our President's State of The Union?
There is NOTHING too bad that could happen to that man. From nature, not man I need to reiterate in what is known on FR as the "Gonzo" disclaimer.
Oh yea real fair and balanced .. but the funny thing was not one of them could say anything nice about the Dems response from Locke
I just got done reading the message board on Opinion Journal for Peggy Noonan. Although there are a few of the usual "Bush is dumb" posts, most of the posters agree with Ms. Noonan, and talk about trust in the President, his humility, his honesty, the burden he bears, how much they pray for him. I was stunned.
And here we have Bill Clinton, shrinking ever smaller, acting more and more petty, actively trying to undermine America just to make himself less shabby in his own mind.
The guy looks like a walking Portrait of Dorian Gray. I think he lives in fear and emptiness. It should be a lesson to all who seek fame, power, and riches without care for the truly important things in life.
God is not mocked. Bill Clinton is learning this lesson.
Rules in case its close - your timeline is from 12:01AM on the 10th, mine until 11:59PM on the 21st.
Bush is a manager. He knows a laundry list of goodies flung toward every possible interest group is an exercise in profound bullshit. No program emerges from the slaughterhouse intact. He's not going to insult us with patronizing crap. He's not black, and he's not a woman. The utter disease of the lefty ethos is shown by the fact Bill Clinton was black and female because he sent our money to them. What a cesspool of lies.
So Bush refuses to affect glib presentations of elaborate bureaucratic structures and programs that are false, empty and fraudulent.
The lefties have no soul. They are secular lost wanderers. They would rather hear a totally fraudulent and meaningless promise delivered smoothly and articulately than an honest and workable proposal delivered with the word "nucular" involved.
I don't like those people. I won't socialize with those people. I don't trust them, I don't do business with them, and they are really humorless and soulless. They're still on the Florida recount ... good.
George W. Bush would have Bill Clinton in CheckMate within 5 minutes of their Chess match. I would bet any money on that. Chess requires intelligence of a deeper and more profound excellence. Memorization is a trick. Glib bullshit is a fraud. Deep, wise contemplation and disciplined organization is a blessing and skill. Clinton was a criminal sideshow freak. Bush is a leader and builder.
Places like DU, Bartcop and SmirkingChimp are teeming with folks whose education far exceeds their native intelligence. We're mopping the floor with them, it's a delightful chore.
Let's take the garbage out of Baghdad, whaddya say MM?
Not only that, but they project their own character and morality flaws onto everyone else.
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