***Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room - 25 MAY 03/Day 67

Was it Debka? The head of the site was on Fox the other day.

A Capitol Hill Police canine technician and his dog check the grounds around the U.S. Capitol in Washington Saturday, May 24, 2003, in preparation for the Memorial Day holiday ceremonies. With the nation's security level raised to 'orange' alert, the metropolitan area police have also increased random inspections of trucks and cars, airports, and the capital's security cameras have been turned on.

Threat 'Matrix' Guides Terrorism Alerts

WASHINGTON - The decision to put the country on high alert for a terrorist attack was based largely on a top-secret daily report produced by the FBI and CIA that details every sign of a threat, from intercepted e-mails to satellite photos to clandestine whispers of spies.

Running up to 30 pages, this threat "matrix" has become part of President Bush's morning routine in the fight against terror.

Howdy all. Any of you heard about the website called "Taliban Online"? I'll post a link, but have to preface it with a warning. I don't know anything about computers, but the website where I learned of this Taliban site warned that it contains "hostile code" on their pages. So click with caution.

CAUTION !!

The following link may contain hostile code.

They run their website through
jwebs.org and spyw.com

Click with caution and fair warning: Taliban Online Website.

But since I had already clicked on it before I saw the warning... lucky me.... I'll post a couple things from the Taliban Online website.

AFGHANISTAN
Excerpted from an article posted 5/21, but dated 5/18:

18 May 2003: 588 days have passed since America launched its latest Crusade against Islam and its people. A number of Muslim prisoners were captured in this Crusade and taken to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba where their beards were forcibly shaved and they are being held in cages subject to Malaria, heatstroke and other tropical diseases.

MEERANSHAH (AZZAM): Mujahideen attacks continue all over Afghanistan as eleven more soldiers were killed including Coalition troops. The Spin Boldak administration reported a suspected al-Qaida or Taliban operative was apparently killed while trying to install a bomb in Spin Boldak, near the Municipal office. This took place to the backdrop of heavy fighting during the night on Friday.

US troops on the other hand claim to have found huge ammunition storage facility in a building in Gardez.Three suspects were also arrested from the same building. The arrested are neither Taliban or al-Qaida suspects. The ammunition found include 20 thousand rounds, 700 mortar bombs, machine guns and large number of rockets and hand grenades.

In Gardez city of Paktia, six coalition troops were killed on the spot while their military vehicles were totally annihilated. This explosion occurred at a bridge near the city precisely as the first vehicle of the coalition troops convoy entered the bridge. It is suspected that the bomb explosion was executed via a remote control device. Not long after, six missiles hit the inner portions of Khost's older airport due to which heavy loss of lives is expected. The coalition gunships carried out a post attack aerial search operation, but all in vain. In Matta Maheena, an adjacent region of Khost, Mujahideen ambushed a guard duty team of coalition troops. No loss of lives were disclosed by coalition sources. Two workers of an NGO responsible for neutralizing land mines received life threatening injuries when a land mine exploded during the removal process.

Sorry if these Afghanistan articles seem off topic, but I think it is all part of the big picture. If anyone wants me to NOT post these on this thread, just let me know a more appropriate place to post them. Thanks.

AFGHANISTAN
Excerpted from an article posted 5/21, but dated 5/19:

19 May 2003: 589 days have passed since America launched its latest Crusade against Islam and its people. A number of Muslim prisoners were captured in this Crusade and taken to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba where their beards were forcibly shaved and they are being held in cages subject to Malaria, heatstroke and other tropical diseases.

KABUL (AZZAM): Nine people were killed in various incidents in Afghanistan. Five missiles were fired by a group of four mujahideen upon coalition force barracks in the border province of Paktika. Heavy loss were inflicted to the coalition forces, including the death of 5 US servicemen.

Clashes continue in the northern Afghanistan, resulting in seven people being killed in these clashes sofar. In clashes between Jameeat Islami and Hizb-e-Wahdat, three have been killed and six others severely injured. A US military spokesman said that US special forces killed two unknown Afghan fighters in Khost.

****

FBI Surveyed Hyderabad Region of Pakistan in Search of Al-Qaida Suspects

HYDERABAD (AZZAM): A FBI team arrived in Hyderabad after the arrest of Al-Qaida suspects near the tool plaza in Hyderabad. The FBI team, of more than four, made a detailed survey of the region accompanied by local intelligence agency personnel. They surveyed and filmed the place were the arrests occured and other interior regions.

****

Five Prisoners Released from Guantanamo Bay to Saudi Custody

RIYADH (AZZAM): Five Saudi nationals arrived back in Saudi Arabi after being released from US Camp Delta at Guantanamo Bay. The US Defence Office had earlier released a statement that the prisoners had been investigated and it was concluded that were innocent and were being returned to their homelands.

Despite this, the Saudi government reimprisoned them at Al-Hair Prison in Saudi Arabia.

A 22 year old imprisoned mujahid, Fahad Al-Shabani's brother said that his brother was certain that after the severe torture carried out by US at Camp Delta, he would not be re-imprisoned in Saudi.

Saudi government officials said that these prisoners will be released after further investigations.

****

Former Governor of Kabul Arrested

21 May 2003:
PESHAWAR (AZZAM): Former governor of Kabul, Maulvi Muhammad Islam Haqqani was arrested whilst trying to cross the Iranian border. He was formerly well known as 'Raees of Kabul'.

He stated that his name was Muhammad Saleem (an alias) and that he was going to visit his daughter and her husband.

Despite this, he was recognised, questioned by FBI and Afghan authorities at the border, and transported to to Kabul for further investigations.

****

US Relentless Bombing over Khost After Mujahideen Offensive

KHOST (AZZAM): Mujahideen launched a major attack on coalition forces in Tani district, Khost city.

The attack consisted of heavy machine gun fire directed at a convoy of US millitary jeeps. No details of losses were released by US sources.

Subsequently, US warplanes and gunships heavily bombed suspected locations in the southern district of Khost city, large number of civilian casualties are expected due to the indiscriminate nature of this bombing.

Khost authorities have also claimed to have discovered 160 remote controlled bombs concealed in a truck carrying lumber. The truck was apparently heading to Khost city from Pakistan via Garbaz.

The 16th consecutive day of house by house searches by coalition forces in Shikeen and Beermal district of Paktika continued.

The UN organization for removal of land mines have evacuated all its staff from Khost and Paktia. The spokesman stated this was due to the instable law and order situation in the province.

US troops claim to have found a major ammunition dump in an region between Jalalabad and Zabul provinces, proximate to the Pakistani border. Rockets, mortar bombs and land mines were found in the dump.

In Zabul, Afghan authorities arrested five Taliban suspects.

A US soldier died at Kabul Military Training center. The US spokesman said that he died after running a lengthy distance, the cause of death is not yet known.

So have I had my head in the sand, or is the US media completely ignoring everything that is STILL happening in Afghanistan? Do we really have troops dying just about every day in Afghanistan, STILL ?

And we are STILL finding huge weapons caches after a year and a half... So for those who expected to find the WMD in Iraq in the first week: Look what we're STILL finding in Afghanistan!

Running up to 30 pages, this threat "matrix" has become part of President Bush's morning routine in the fight against terror.

Sheesh...what a way to have to start your mornings. "Bacon...eggs...threat Matrix..."

Time will out.

Really nice Mo. Thanks for posting

Prairie

Fox News just reported the Israeli cabinet "narrowly" approved to adopt the road map.

Prairie

Iran we'll wait for the people to revolt.

In N. Korea, we'll try diplomatic pressure. If they don't fold, we'll invade, but only with S. Korea's approval. It'll have to get pretty bad for that to happen. I expect that to happen--ie, we'll get evidence they have nukes, confront them and they'll threaten to use them against SK, Japan, and/or the US.

Good!

Sheesh...what a way to have to start your mornings. "Bacon...eggs...threat Matrix..."

Yes that's awful. No biscuits and country gravy...

Afternoon, all! Rolling Thunder now on C-Span.

CENTCOM:

May 25, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-88

COALITION EFFORTS AID IRAQ'S RECOVERY (25 MAY)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq.

BAGHDAD

The Coalition recently:

Facilitated 63 ongoing humanitarian assistance missions yesterday through the Humanitarian Operations Center.

Facilitated delivery of nine tons of food and medical supplies shipment donated by Jordanian International Airlines from the Baghdad International Airport to downtown Baghdad. The Coalition will also facilitate the movement of 189 World Food Program trucks from Jordan to Baghdad today.

Assisted humanitarian organizations deliver supplies to hospitals and clinics. Efforts to repair or replace generators at several hospitals continue to make progress.

Reported that the electrical supply to Baghdad has reached 727 megawatts. Completion of the repair to the 400 kilovolt ring surrounding Baghdad is expected June 1.

Reported continued improvements in Iraqi postal service operations. International mail service by ground through Jordan and Syria began recently.

Removed 95,000 of the estimated 300,000 cubic meters of backlogged trash from the city's streets.

Hosted a meeting of the humanitarian assistance community in which ORHA announced the new salary payment mechanism.

Continue to facilitate the import of large supplies of UN medical aid from Jordan for delivery to various sites in Iraq.

Coordinated with the Korean organization, Food for the Hungry International, for the movement of medical supply located in Basrah to other regions.

Began initial coordination to assist the Greek government in their efforts to distribute 30 truckloads of medicine, medical goods, sheets, blankets and water throughout Iraq.

Facilitated two meetings between the European Union’s donor organization and ORHA’s water and medical departments to coordinate funding proposals for major infrastructure projects.

3rd Infantry Division recently:

Assisted in consultations with MCI officials to build relay towers to improve communications in Baghdad.

Removed 60 truckloads, or about 58 tons, of captured ammunition out of Baghdad yesterday. They have hauled has hauled 4,874 tons of ammunition to date.

Facilitated the movement of 142 trucks of Benzene and 77 of Liquid Propane Gas from Turkey, and 32 trucks of Benzene from Kuwait.

Received the first increment of Iraqi civil servant payments ($15 million USD) in Baghdad.

Assisted the Red Cross in repairing the generator at the Khayal Hospital in Baghdad.

MOSUL / TIKRIT

Civil Affairs personnel attended meeting to coordinate an initial assessment of the national and local Emergency Medical Service system in the area.

Civil Affairs personnel are delivering humanitarian assistance supplies to 33 clinics within the area that are in desperate need of medications. They also coordinated with the World Health Organization (WHO) for delivery of five tons of medical material donated by the Government of Kuwait.

101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division recently:

Received 144 benzene and 77 propane trucks from Turkey.

Attended a meeting to assist in coordinating the grain harvest in Sinjar. Officials expect the best harvest in 14 years.

Authorized the Central Bank to release three billion Iraqi Dinars to pay 4,000 farmers and 635 workers to start the sugar beet harvest. They also met with the Central Bank Manager and a retired general to discuss pension payments.

Reported that University classes will resume today.

4th Infantry Division recently:

Continued to support elections in Kirkuk, with final elections scheduled for 27 May.

Reported that about 90% of the students are back in school.

Supported ORHA payments to power and grain workers.

Reported the completion of repairs to the air conditioning and electrical systems at the Tikrit Hospital.

AR RUTBAH

Coalition officials met with an international consulting firm to discuss the construction of a highway bypass, and repair of the Highway 10.

Coalition officials are working with officials of World Vision to assess and coordinate plumbing, electrical and structural repair efforts in the city.

SOUTHERN IRAQ

AL KUT

The First Marine Expeditionary Force purchased a photocopier for the city court.

The U.S. Navy Seabees began repairs on a bridge in As Suwayrah.

Trash collection has improved substantially as trash trucks previously used by the military were turned back over to the city and 25 more employees were hired.

The public works department received $1,000 for equipment repairs. The road maintenance division and public gardens department are now both operating at pre-war levels.

The 23rd Marine Regiment is facilitating a request for chemicals required for water purification.

The 23rd Marine Regiment met with Mercy Corps recently to discuss a request by the Department of Transportation for funding transportation.

AD DIWANIYAH

Coalition personnel, from the Humanitarian Operations Center in Kuwait met with representatives from the Japanese government to discuss their plans to refurbish the Ad Diwaniyah Hospital, which was built by Japan in 1980.

The Marine Expeditionary Force began hiring security guards to help improve security in the city.

The U.S. Army delivered 20 tankers of gasoline. Coalition personnel assisted in the delivery of 20,000 pounds of propane.

UMM QASR/AL BASRAH

A U.S. Army railroad team made an assessment of the rails at the port to determine the feasibility of discharging bulk cargo in hopper cars at port berthings.

KARBALA

Marines from Weapons Company, 7th Marine Regiment cleaned up, repaired, and helped the owner reopen his amusement park recently. About 3,000 Iraqis visited the park on opening day.

The local judiciary has been elected and approved by both the acting governor and the military governor. The judiciary has been hearing criminal cases for two weeks and will begin hearing civil cases in the next few days.

Twenty city buses are now running on five lines.

AN NAJAF

The First Marine Division received an additional 15 benzene gasoline fuel trucks for the three government gas stations in the city.

AL HILLAH

Civil Affairs personnel are conducting a public service campaign in local media to keep the population informed of Coalition activities via radio, TV, newspaper, banners, and posters.

Members of the Governance Support Team:

Met with community and religious leaders in the Babylon area, as well as the Governor and his staff. This was to establish a constructive foundation with the influential people in the Governance on which to base future work.

Met with the Iraqi Rail Chief and representatives of the firm that was renovating the train station before the war to discuss what is required to repair damage and complete the renovation.

Met with Coalition engineering officials to coordinate funding for renovation of two water pumping stations.

Met with ORHA to review the new National Payment Plan for the Babylon Province.

AN NASIRIYAH

Civil Affairs personnel escorted an Army maintenance team to inspect and perform maintenance on two diesel engines that power a local pumping station and assess long-term plant needs.

Coalition personnel completed construction of the south police station.

AS SAMAWAH

The Coalition added two more water trucks to assist with the water redistribution, and also escorted water department employees to Baghdad to find sources for repair parts and funding for their department.

Live C-Span coverage of Rolling Thunder starts at 1:15 PM EST.

CENTCOM:

May 25, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-89

COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (May 25, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate smuggling weapons, trade and explosives. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in their efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Coalition Activity:

Soldiers from the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment raided a suspected weapons shop in Al Habaniya last night based on a tip from a local citizen. They captured one person and confiscated an assortment of weapons, ammunition and explosives, including an AK-47, several handguns, 80 pounds of gunpowder and a small quantity of C4 "plastic" explosives.

Third Armored Cavalry Regiment soldiers captured Almad Kalif, a suspected ringleader of recent attacks on Coalition Forces, in a raid early yesterday morning in Fallujah. They also captured 17 other members suspected of participating in attacks against Coalition Forces.

Soldiers from Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division and 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment raided a suspected arms market near Taji last night. They detained five suspects and seized large amounts of money and weapons.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) conducted a cordon and search operation last night in Al Biaj to confiscate illegally held weapons. They detained six individuals for questioning and seized three light machine guns, three AK-47 rifles, several pistols and a cache of ammunition.
Marines from the 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment raided a site yesterday where they seized two AK-47s, several grenades, a large quantity of rifle ammunition, a mortar round, two stolen vehicles, a computer with printer and numerous documents and pamphlets. They also captured eight individuals and held them for questioning.
Soldiers from the U.K.'s 7th Armored Brigade searched a house in Al Basrah yesterday where they seized several AK-47s, a gas mask, two mobile phones, a computer, various documents, small arms ammunition, 4.2 million Dinar and $1,707 U.S. dollars. They detained five Iraqis.

A patrol from the 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment observed two Iraqis firing their rifles into the air yesterday in Karbala. The Marines stopped the Iraqis and confiscated their weapons.

Marines from the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment raided a site yesterday in An Najaf where illegal weapons sales were suspected of taking place. They apprehended two suspects and turned them over to the Iraqi police.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Coalition Forces conducted 7 raids and 1,968 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, 102 were conducted with Iraqi police. They also detained or arrested 204 individuals. Highlights of police activities include:

Soldiers from the 194th Military Police Company responded to a report of shots being fired from a building in Al Kut yesterday. They did not find the shooters, but confiscated several pistols and two hand grenades when they searched the building.

A joint patrol of 549th Military Police Company soldiers and Iraqi police responded to shots fired from a building in Baghdad on Friday. A witness told police where the shots were fired from when they arrived. The patrol searched the building, apprehended an Iraqi man and seized an AK-47 rifle with ammunition. They took the subject to the new Baghdad Police Station, where he was released after questioning.

Iraqi police fired at an Iraqi man when he tried to drive through their vehicle checkpoint in Baghdad on Friday. The Iraqi police pursued and captured him. After interrogating the individual at the Al Shuala police station, he led the police to a house where his alleged accomplice lived. No one was at the house so police returned to the police station with the violator.

No problem, thanks for the links.

Hosni Mubarak andbefore him Anwar Sadat, have both been good allies of the US, but were always under pressure from fanatics to not deal with Israel or the US. Sadat paid with is life.

Hosni, while a stern ruler, would not seem like he would now be taking the terrorists side. That would surprise me a bit, to say the least.

That's why I was curious about the source. I'll keep my ears and eyes open for any news on this.

Freeper redrock shares his own moving experience:

MEMORIAL DAY 2003-#4--"WELCOME HOME!!!!"

===========================

I enlisted in the United States Army when I was 17.

I had already graduated High school....and had been taught from the time that I was born that each of us has a duty.

A duty to serve and protect our Nation....

~~~

When I got close to the wall ...I started to see the names...and my heart was racing and I was sweating like I had never done so before. I was crying...I couldn't hold it in...and then...the moment of my personal Deliverance arrived.

I felt a touch on my arm...and I looked down into the face of a 9 or 10 year old little girl with a hugh grin on her face.

She asked me if I had been in Vietnam.

I said yes.....and then she said the words that healed...that allowed the scabs and scars to be taken away.

"WELCOME HOME"

Excerpts from Stolen Valor: How The Vietnam Generation Was Robbed Of its Heroes And its History by B.G. Burkett & Glenna Whitley :

*Part I - Rambo and the Bogus War Heroes
* Part II - Welcome Home, Babykiller
* Part III - Will the Real Vietnam Vet Stand Up?
* Part VI - The VVA - The Vietnam Victims of America

Good evening everyone. Happy and respectful Memorial Day Weekend.

Iranian officials have countered U.S. allegations that senior al-Qaida terrorists are hiding in Iran.

After meeting with his Australian counterpart in Tehran Sunday, Iran's foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi said Iran has been fighting al-Qaida longer than the United States.

Tight security shadows Yale commencement

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Uniformed police officers with bomb-sniffing dogs were stationed around campus Sunday as Yale University began its two-day commencement celebration less than a week after a bomb exploded in the university's law school.

As security officers searched bags, students said they had few worries about safety and were determined not to let the still unsolved explosion spoil the weekend.