Fox: US/Mexico seeking 6 terrorists with chem/radiation materials

Fox News Channel | 3/21/03 | FNC

[Diddle E. Squat]

Carl Cameron on now.

[CygnusXI]

Nitroglicyrin (SP) is more stable when kept cold.

[FairOpinion]

Fox said it could be radiological or biological.

Toxic chemical is bad, but radiological or biological is much worse. I actually don't think radiological really requires temperature control, that leaves biological, which could be nasty.

This was in Editorial of The Washington Times, but it gives a good overview of Iraq's chem & bio weapons. As I am looking down the list, I would guess smallpox, I don't think the others(like anthrax) would require refrigeration.



Chemical and biological agents in Iraq
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20030321-77404251.htm


The war with Iraq has begun. Coalition forces are now fighting to liberate the Iraqi people and to rid the world of the threat of terrible agents that Iraqi scientists have worked on.

''Weapons of mass destruction." The phrase says it all. Over the years, Saddam Hussein is believed to have built up a terrible arsenal of chemical and biological weapons. He already has unleashed them against his own people, and he could be preparing to use them against coalition soldiers and civilians. While the symptoms and effects of the agents heavily depend on the method and amount of exposure, here's a rundown of what agents Iraq is believed to possess, their typical effects and their possible treatments.

Chemical agents

• Mustard gas: A potent and insidious weapon. It causes skin burns and blisters, eye irritation and respiratory problems, including coughing and bronchitis. Those symptoms appear some time after exposure — between two and 24 hours. There is no specific antidote, although mustard gas disables far more than it kills. Iraq has used mustard gas in the past, and some units of the Iraqi army are believed to be equipped with it.

• Ricin: Poison made from castor beans. It can be inhaled, ingested or swallowed. After a few hours, symptoms include nausea, breathing difficulties and aching muscles, followed by internal bleeding and organ failures. Death follows between 36 and 48 hours of exposure. There is no known antidote.

• Sarin: Nerve toxin also known as "GB." Exposure can come via skin or eye contact, inhalation, or ingestion of poisoned water. Effects, which are almost immediate after exposure to the vapor form, include small, pin-point pupils, blurred vision, rapid breathing, followed by convulsions, paralysis and death from respiratory failure. Antidotes are available, but they must be applied quickly. High exposures are almost certain to cause death.

• Tabun: Nerve toxin similar to sarin, also known as "GA." Exposure is possible through inhalation, skin or eye contact and drinking poisoned water. Symptoms are similar to sarin. Antidotes are available, but they must be given soon after exposure.

• VX: Considered to be the most potent nerve agent of them all. Exposure is most likely through inhalation, and skin or eye contact. Symptoms are similar to sarin and tabun. Treatments are available, but must be applied quickly. U.S. military officials believe that some of Saddam's Republican Guard units are equipped with VX-filled munitions.

Biological agents

• Aflatoxin: Aflatoxins are made by some species of fungus. Best known for their ability to cause cancer, particularly in the liver. Their level of lethality in the short term is not clear.

• Anthrax: Caused by the bacteria bacillus anthracis. For inhalation anthrax (the most lethal form), cold- and flu-like symptoms begin within seven days of exposure, followed by shock and respiratory failure. U.S. soldiers have been vaccinated against it, and antibiotics are also effective. While cutaneous anthrax (a skin infection) is rarely fatal, inhalation anthrax could potentially be quite deadly.

• Clostridium botulinum toxin: The nerve toxin that causes botulism. Symptoms commonly begin between about 12 and 36 hours of ingestion and include blurred vision, slurred speech and general muscle weakness, followed by paralysis and death. An antitoxin is available, and if administered early, it can greatly reduce effects.

• Ebola: The terrifying virus that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms usually begin between two and 21 days of exposure to either the virus itself or fluids from an infected individual. Those sickened experience flu-like symptoms followed by internal and external bleeding, and often, death. There is no known antidote.

• Smallpox: One of the most frightening of all biological agents. After an incubation period of between 12 and 17 days, flu-like symptoms are followed by an outbreak of a rash. Smallpox will kill one-third of the unvaccinated people it infects. Pre- or quick post-exposure inoculation is the only effective treatment.

With the coalition troops in harm's way, committed to "no outcome but victory," we hope that Saddam fails in any attempt to use any of those horrific weapons.

[valleygal]

They said temp. control means it could be radiological or biological.

I still haven't gotten any duct tape or plastic.:)

[ksen]

I thought Hans Blix stated the Iraqis didn't have any bio/chem/nuke weapons?

They don't, they're in Mexico on their way to a city near you.

[adam_az]

"Tell us where the WMD's are or you will learn to feel he sting of Habanero on mucous membrane..."

[KantianBurke]

If there EVER was a time and place to get pissed at Bush's actions on our border its now when his dereliction is made all too clear!

[Lokibob]

Last time I took a 6 pack of MGD to the Arizona desert, it required "temperature control". I used a cooler and ice.

[John H K]

Hoping they find these guys.

If they exist, of course.

[Petronski]

A Carl Cameron scoop? Will his next revelation be that the "Iraqis" are really Mossad recurited Israeli art students on their wanderjahre spying on U.S. defense facilities under cover of selling clown paintings and Ecstasy in American shopping malls?

LOL> Nice mini-rant. Excellent smack.

[CaptSkip]

"Searching for 6 suspected Iraqis with toxic chemicals that need temperature controlled environment"

How did they get WMD stuff????????

Way bad bump.

[Diddle E. Squat]

http://santafenewmexican.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2144&dept_id=493858&newsid=7452751&PAG=461&rfi=9

FBI Issues Alert for Suspected Saudi Terrorist; Steps Up Iraqi Interviews

By CURT ANDERSON | Associated Press 03/21/2003

WASHINGTON - A Saudi man being sought by the FBI because he may be plotting terrorist attacks against U.S. targets has been linked to Jose Padilla, an American citizen charged with plotting to detonate a radiological "dirty bomb" in the United States.

The FBI on Thursday asked law enforcement agencies and the public to be on the lookout for Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, 27, who senior law enforcement officials said has received flight training and possesses a Florida driver's license.

"El Shukrijumah is possibly involved with al-Qaida terrorist activities and, if true, poses a serious threat to U.S. citizens and interests worldwide," the FBI said in a statement.

Officials said El Shukrijumah's organizing capabilities are comparable to those of Mohammed Atta, the suspected organizer of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudis and some, including Atta, received flight training in Florida.

A federal law enforcement official, speaking Friday on condition of anonymity, said authorities were tipped to El Shukrijumah by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, al-Qaida's chief operational planner who was arrested March 1 in Pakistan.

Information recovered after Mohammed's capture includes references to Padilla and El Shukrijumah, who at one time lived near each other in the Miami area, according to the official.

The FBI previously has said that Mohammed met with Padilla in early 2002. Padilla was arrested last May as an "enemy combatant" and is in federal custody.

Meantime, the FBI is intensifying its interviews with Iraqi-born people living in America. FBI Director Robert Mueller said the bureau, in conjunction with police departments nationwide, is redoubling its anti-terrorism efforts now that war with Iraq is at hand.

"We are bringing to bear the full weight of our resources, expertise and partnerships," Mueller said Thursday. "We are running down every lead, responding to every threat, coordinating with every partner and doing our utmost to keep terrorists from striking back."

The FBI says the interviews are aimed at rooting out any potential terrorist attacks planned by Iraqi operatives or sympathizers. The interviews were focused on about 11,000 Iraqis who either have traveled to their homeland recently or had some contact with Iraq's military, law enforcement officials said.

Teams of FBI and immigration officials also have begun arresting Iraqis who are in the United States illegally, mainly for visa violations. A statement from the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the operation was aimed at "taking individuals off the street who might pose a threat to the safety and security of the American people" and said they were targeted based on intelligence information.

One official said the number of detainees was at least several dozen, but exact numbers weren't available.

Relatives of El Shukrijumah denied any connection to al-Qaida or terrorism, adding that he was living with his family in Morocco. His father, Gulshair El Shukri, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that his son did not know how to pilot a plane.

El Shukrijumah is described as about 5-foot-4 (1 meter 62 cms) and 132 pounds (60 kilograms), though he may be heavier. He has black hair, black eyes and a Mediterranean complexion, and may be wearing a beard, the FBI said.

Although born in Saudi Arabia, the FBI said El Shukrijumah carries a passport from Guyana. He also could have passports from Saudi Arabia, Canada or Trinidad.

He has used many aliases, including Adnan G. El Shukri Jumah, Abu Arif, Ja'far Al-Tayer, Jaffar Al-Tayyar, Jafar Tayar and Jaafar Al-Tayyar.

[ARA]

And you are just guessing? Huh!

[RGVTx]

I was just discussing this with a friend and she says the local news (KRGV TV-Rio Grande Valley, Texas) ran a story this morning about how lax the border inspections are right now. Ran video footage from this morning of one of the local crossings showing cars being waved through without inspection. Living about 7 miles from the border, this does not make me feel good.

[valleygal]

Where might they be headed? Diego? LA?

The Academy Awards?

[ksen]

How would that be a scoop? CNN already reported on that.....

[Joe Hadenuf]

If there EVER was a time and place to get pissed at Bush's actions on our border its now when his dereliction is made all too clear!

And they don't know if they have already entered! They don't know where they are! JEZZZ......

This ought to give the open border folks a warm fuzzy feeling.......

[ksen]

Where might they be headed? Diego? LA?

Crawford?

[CedarDave]

Added border states to "Topics".