A reality?
Posted on 11/01/2005 7:38:53 AM PST by markedmannerf
TORONTO - A newly disclosed Canadian intelligence study says al-Qaeda might try to spread the deadly avian flu virus as part of its campaign to sow terror in Western nations.
The report by the federal government's Integrated Threat Assessment Centre describes the avian flu as a "potential terrorist-induced" pandemic and specifically mentions Osama bin Laden.
"It is significant to note that Osama bin Laden views chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons as legitimate," says the report, titled "Pandemics: Avian Flu."
"In addition, Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda representatives have repeatedly named Canada as a target," it says under the heading "Biology and Terrorism."
A copy of the study was released to the National Post under the Access to Information Act.
Security officials have long feared that Islamic terrorists bent on disrupting Western economies and killing masses of civilians might resort to biological agents.
Terrorists have shown increasing interest in biological and chemical weapons since the Japanese religious sect Aum Shinri Kyo attacked the Tokyo subway system with sarin in 1995.
Al-Qaeda experimented with such weapons at its camps in Afghanistan, but there have been few attempts so far to use them, partly because they are difficult to manufacture and disseminate.
But the Canadian report says last winter's outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian flu in Asia "is of concern due to its high mortality rate in humans" and warns of "worldwide pandemic."
Aside from terrorists, the report warns of the possibility that smugglers could unwittingly bring the virus to Canada. It cites the example of a Thai man who tried to smuggle two infected birds into Belgium last October.
The crested hawk eagles were concealed in plastic tubes in his carry-on baggage. The veterinarian who handled the birds was hospitalized with symptoms of avian flu but survived.
(Excerpt) Read more at canada.com ...
Well, if jihadis start dropping like flies because they mishandled their attempt at biowarfare, we'll know for sure.
They could spread mental illness too..
Time for the "Good Peoples of the World" to confront and defeat those who do not fit that description.
There's an awful lot of near-panic, over a virus that reportedly has yet to be transmitted human-to-human. Something doesn't sound right, here. Now, they're floating a trial balloon with a terrorist angle. I'm beginning to be concerned that public opinion is being softened for a man-made pandemic.
More on Jihad Flu.
Gen 16:12 And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Very scary, if you are a bird.
The sky is falling and I want my mommy.... Yawn...
They are just figuring this out?
Norm Mineta would never allow us to profile young Arab men carrying dead geese onto an airplane. We're doomed.
You are so right.
Good thing inhaled drugs like cocaine is made by criminals and terrorists, and not by Pfizer and Merck, thanks to the War On (some) Drugs. So that means there's no chance things like Avian Flu can be spiked into the product.
this may well explain the significant attention to this from the administration.
Thanks for the ping.
There are so many birds smuggled into this country it's a pandemic waiting to happen. And if the bad guys get hold of it, then it's on, we're in big trouble.
As I posted on another thread earlier today, I was outside raking up pine needles when I saw, and heard, a gaggle of Canadian geese flying over. I very nearly threw my hands over my head to run screaming into the house for any imaginary protection.
I didn't do it, but was laughing at myself for my reaction and thoughts about it.
I fear that in the not too distant future, it will not be a laughing matter.
apperciate the ping
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