Population:214
Posted on 12/06/2004 8:25:41 PM PST by canadianally
Radical elements in Quebec society move things up a notch....
Group takes credit for Que. hydro tower bombing CTV.ca News Staff
A mysterious group has claimed responsibility for an apparent bomb attack on a Hydro-Quebec tower.
The message was received in French by news media outlets on Monday. The Initiative de Resistance Internationaliste (IRI) denounced what it describes as the "pillaging" of Quebec's resources by the United States.
"An explosive device was placed under a Hydro-Quebec pylon of the Radisson-Nicolet-Des Cantons power line, near the American border. Through this operation, we are making public our refusal to be silent witnesses to the waste and pillaging of our resources at the hands of the United States empire," said the statement, translated from French by CTV's Montreal bureau.
"We are also acting against Hydro-Quebec's exploitation to the benefit of private enterprises, which profit from each opportunity that imperialism provides."
The group, which sent its communique to al-Jazeera, the Arab satellite TV news network, also dragged Iraq into the equation -- along with Bolivia, Colombia and the Palestinians.
"We refuse to allow all the weight of resistance to fall on the noble Iraqi people, who are being massacred because they were an obstacle to the American energy hegemony, or to the Bolivian peasants courageously mobilizing against the pillage of their gas resources, even risking their lives," the note said.
"We also refuse to let the Colombian and Palestinian people confront the imperial army alone, whether or not it is hidden behind a national banner."
It isn't clear when the attack occurred, although a hunter on an all-terrain vehicle discovered it damage to a hydro tower Nov. 30.
The IRI said authorities hid news of the attack "from the population during the chief dictator's visit" -- possibly a reference to the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 visit to Canada by U.S. President George W. Bush.
If true, one student leader who was involved in anti-Bush protests said the IRI's act of sabotage went too far.
"I think it makes people afraid, and I don't think that was the kind of message we meant to get out when we went to Ottawa," said Tim McSorley of the Canadian Federation of Students.
The incident happened near Coaticook, which is in Quebec's Eastern Townships. A bomb squad was dispatched Friday to the site by the Quebec provincial police.
Test results of materials found near the tower have not been released, so an explosive attack can't be confirmed yet.
Police say they've never heard of the group before this. However, they have seized the original letter sent out to some Quebec media outlets to analyze it. They won't confirm if the details in the group's note are accurate.
A Hydro-Quebec spokeswoman said the tower is part of a line that delivers electricity from James Bay to the Boston area, adding that service wasn't disrupted.
"We are taking that event seriously, and we are increasing security around our strategic installations," said Marie Archambault of Hydro-Quebec.
The ongoing investigation involves the provincial police, Hydro-Quebec and the Canadian counter-terrorism force.
The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security and CSIS have also been alerted.
Security analyst Michel Juneau-Katsuya said: "This is an act of sabotage, but we're just a step away from terrorism. And for that reason, the United States will be very interested to see how we respond to it."
With a report from CTV's Jed Kahane
What do you expect, they're frog-eating Frenchies
So what's the deal? They didn't even knock down the tower? It sounds like they only damaged it.
What a bunch of losers
In other words, didn't blow up real good, yet these wankers are taking "credit."
I figure they'll be surrendering soon;)
I have from an impeccable source that this was serious and was not amateur night. This is not classified:
UNCLASSIFIED
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY #2
031300RDEC04
(U) QUEBEC POWERLINE BOMBING ATTEMPT FOLLOW-UP. (NGB-J3/DO-CS) (U) Occurred approximately 1.5 miles North East of the Port of Entry at Norton, Vermont on or about 021030RDEC04. RCMP advised Swanton Sector Border Patrol that they are investigating an explosion in an attempt to knock down a major support column for the hydro Quebec power lines. Line enters the US near Norton, Vermont and then goes on to Boston, MA. Reporting indicates moderate damage to the structure causing no power outages at all. Authorities suspect this was not an amateur attempt (NFI). FBI is aware of incident. Preliminary investigation shows that about 16 sticks of dynamite were used with sandbags in an attempt to focus the blast for more damage. Investigation continues.
Civil Support Duty Officer
NGB-J3 DO-CS
We'll be more than happy to stop pillaging (i.e. buying) your natural resources (i.e. excess energy capacity). Then once Canada is free of US interference (i.e. drop in US currency flowing into Canada), then the anti-American radicals and others in Canada will achieve paradise (i.e. drastically reduced welfare payments from the Canadian government.)
Well, actually, you are right...it is a fairly pathetic attempt to master evil and target American interests. Nevertheless, it shows that there are people folk in Quebec with intent amd a desire to improve their bomb-making skills. Hopefully, they will be apprehended quickly.
bump
Proof that not all terrorist elements are Islamic fundamentalists.
Whether or not they actually participate in the murder and mayhem they generate is immaterial, in my opinion.
Are we certain of this?
Population:214
Any idea what would have been the result of a successful attempt?
And how many Muslims do you actually know? I have had the pleasure of knowing several here in Kentucky. They are all good, moral, peace-loving individuals who were just as outraged, if not more, than you and I on September 11th.
No power for the wine chiller and room temperature chardonnay at Te-rey-sah's house? HORRORS!
Come on. This is a couple of Northlanders sauced on Moosehead who got lost after they wandered away from their snowmobiles to answer a call of nature.
One of them pulls out a pair of pliers and says "Hold my beer and watch this, eh?"
I second that!
Her very presence would be enough to chill wine.
Now we need to add sandbags to the "Watch for" list.
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