Posted on 11/24/2003 3:42:44 PM PST by jerseygirl
By Paul Sperry © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has advised federal agencies to initiate emergency counterterrorism measures to prevent possible al-Qaida car bombings planned during the last days of the Muslim holiday Ramadan, according to a confidential department memo obtained by WorldNetDaily.
Citing al-Qaida's "increasingly sophisticated" car-bombing tactics, it recommends security guards tow all vehicles parked illegally in and around government facilities, if their owners cannot be identified, and inspect the undercarriage and other areas of vehicles entering sensitive areas, among other high-threat protective measures.
Al-Qaida could also target "liquid natural gas, chemical or petrochemical sites near major population centers using multiple vehicle-born improvised explosive devices similar to those recently seen in the attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Istanbul, Turkey," warns the internal department advisory titled, "Continued al-Qaida Threats Abroad and in the Homeland."
Marked "For Official Use Only," the four-page memo was distributed Friday to federal departments and agencies, as well as state security managers and first responders.
"This advisory is intended to raise the security awareness of the recipients based on recent terrorist attacks overseas and information suggesting al-Qaida continues to plan attacks against U.S. targets," the memo says.
It notes there has been at least one major terrorist attack resulting in substantial casualties each week over the past several weeks, and that the attacks have coincided with Ramadan.
"These terrorist bombings, coupled with public proclamations regarding al-Qaida's intentions to target Western interests, heighten our concern that a threat against the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests abroad continues," the document states.
The Homeland Security memo warns that al-Qaida might launch attacks "near the end of Ramadan (Nov. 24-27)," which happens to coincide this year with the Thanksgiving holiday.
The government is closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, for Thanksgiving.
But millions of Americans will be traveling throughout the holiday week, and Homeland Security warns in its memo that "we cannot discount multiple attacks involving the use of general-aviation aircraft."
The department's current terror threat level stands at yellow, or elevated, indicating there is only a significant risk of terrorist attacks. Publicly, it has recommended Americans continue with plans for work or leisure.
Behind the scenes, however, it has directed federal and state law enforcement, as well as security personnel, to initiate protective measures under its highest threat level – red – a condition when there is an imminent risk of terrorist attacks.
For instance, "Measure R.2" of the department's internal Threat Level Red recommendations advises government agencies to, among other things: "Identify the owners of all vehicles already parked at state facilities. In those cases where the owner or presence of a vehicle cannot be explained (owner is not present and has no obvious agency affiliation), inspect the vehicle for dangerous items and take steps to remove the vehicle from the vicinity."
Homeland Security officials insist they have no specific threat. Indeed, the department memo states: "We have no tactical information identifying timing, targets, tactics or locations for these operations."
However, it goes on to say that "recent information" and attacks reflect "al-Qaida's desire to repeat a mass casualty attack and/or strike major political and symbolic and economic targets" in America.
The document expresses concern over al-Qaida's "increasingly refined capability and sophisticated tactic" in carrying out car-bomb attacks. Among examples, it cites the terror group's new "ramming tactic to gain access to the target" and the use of "innocuous-looking vehicles," such as "a food catering truck which was detonated by a suicide bomber as it rammed the British consulate."
It recommends U.S. security personnel take additional protective measures to thwart car-bomb attacks, including:
"Consider adjusting buffer zone further [sic] from target."
"Increase the number of visible security personnel wherever possible."
"Rearrange exterior vehicle barriers, traffic cones and road blocks to alter traffic patterns near facilities and monitored by alert security forces."
"Institute/increase vehicle, foot and roving security patrols varying in size, timing and routes."
"Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures."
"Deploy explosive-detection devices and explosive-detection canine teams."
"Review surveillance tapes (if available) for indicators of suspicious activity."
AQ won't do car bombings here unless it is part of a grand finale, and something tells me that will either be biological and/or nuclear.
Marked "For Official Use Only," the four-page memo was distributed Friday to federal departments and agencies, as well as state security managers andWE had a term for this once upon a time where I worked: "Job Justification" (publish/issue memos to let the bosses/other departments know you were still alive, on the job and still IMPORTANT)
Of course, it may have beneficial side-effects, i.e., serve notice to terrorists that our first-lines of security are still active ...
I thought to myself, idiots! They should be checking the cars before allowing them to go IN the tunnel. The logical place to detonate would be INSIDE THE TUNNEL, and our brilliant Homeland Security, INS, and of course our "Canadian allies" don't bother to inspect vehicles that are leaving the country.
Beginning homocide car bombings here in the United States would cause us, the bulk and mainstream of the population, to do exactly the things we have refrained from doing since 9/11/01: assault, breaking and entering and murder against Arab Muslims and their homes in this country. In many areas, what we would be looking for is bomb making material. In most areas, there wouldn't be the puclic lynchings Araba and other leftists drool for: there'd be quiet disappearances, and none of the neighbors would know anything about them.
In addition, the American military is STILL plenty strong enough to kick more @ss, and such a thing would probably land the eagle in Iran with all talons maiming.
Yeah, the terrorist are here, and bomb making materials are easy to get of you have the knowledge - I'm no slouch with fire or explosives, and I'm married to explosives and fire expert so I know whereof I speak. So homocide bombers have the two requisites for a terrorist attack of that type here.
It boils down to this though: homocide bomb and have a short candy binge resulting in sugar shock - and face the wrath of the American people AND the power of the American military, only a fraction of which any of them have ever met - or just not do it and stick to safer targets where they won't have to suffer the consequences??
Or some 12 ga. 00-buckshot through the tires or near the steering wheel?
The very low-maintenance Remington Model 870 pump shotgun, at a cost of about $250, should be within the budget of every homeowner, security officer, LEO, (crossing guard, florist, paperboy), etc.
The "photo-op" impact of the result likely would take the edge of anticipation off of the expected introduction to the standard-issue harem of Model-1/Mod-1 72 virgins.
And the "licensing" requirements for a 12 ga. shotgun are minimal....
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