Al-Qaida to use anti-war rallies as cover?FBI bulletin warns of security-surveillance tactics

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | March27, 2003 | Paul Sperry

[FairOpinion]

WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida operatives may mix in with anti-war demonstrators here and in other major cities to secretly monitor security procedures around landmarks and buildings, the FBI warns.

According to an FBI bulletin obtained by WorldNetDaily, al-Qaida terrorists plotting U.S. attacks may employ "sophisticated surveillance techniques" to avoid detection by law enforcement.

These techniques may include using "video recorders" and posing as "demonstrators" to gather information about security patterns and procedures at potential terrorist targets, says the bulletin, recently distributed to law enforcement and military security personnel by the FBI Washington Field Office as part of the Awareness of National Security Issues and Response, or ANSIR, program.

"Al-Qaida operations have been characterized by meticulous planning, a focus on inflicting mass casualties, and multiple, simultaneous suicide attacks," the FBI alert says. "Operatives are highly trained in basic and sophisticated surveillance techniques, posing challenges for counterterrorism and security forces in identifying terrorist surveillance."

As the nation remains on high alert for terrorism, the bulletin advises the security community to be on the look-out for the following activities, which may indicate al-Qaida terrorist surveillance:

"Unusual or prolonged interest in security measures or personnel, entry points and access controls, or perimeter barriers such as fences or walls."

"Unusual behavior such as staring or quickly looking away from personnel or vehicles entering or leaving designated facilities or parking areas."

"Observation of security reaction drills or procedures."

"Increase in anonymous telephone or e-mail threats to facilities in conjunction with suspected surveillance incidents – indicating possible surveillance of threat-reaction procedures."

"Foot surveillance involving two or three individuals working together."

"Mobile surveillance using bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, boats or small aircraft."

"Prolonged static surveillance using operatives disguised as panhandlers, demonstrators, shoe shiners, food or flower vendors, news agents, or street sweepers not previously seen in the area."

"Discreet use of still cameras, video recorders or note-taking at non-tourist-type locations."

"Use of multiple sets of clothing, identifications, or the use of sketching materials (paper, pencils, etc.)."

"Questioning of security or facility personnel." An FBI counterterrorism agent here says that although the bureau is not aware of any past cases of al-Qaida agents disguising themselves as demonstrators to gauge police response, they may use large-scale anti-war rallies here and in New York as cover for such surveillance activities.

The New York Police Department recently dispatched heavily armed SWAT teams to patrol buildings and tourist areas at random times to throw off al-Qaida operatives casing such sites and monitoring security patterns there.

[Ga Rob]

– Al-Qaida operatives may mix in with anti-war demonstrators -

I thought they were already there??

[astounded]

Keep an eye out for all - I mean all - arabs or muslim-appearing types, regardless of where you are.

[rocky88]

"Oh boy. This is a tough one. Would it be worth losing a national monument to have several thousand of those anti-patriotic, country-loathing, fantasy-land hippies wiped out? And maybe those not wiped out would finally see that normal people and terrorists can't ever "just get along". No ... I suppose not. I can't wish ill like that on anyone; in their own misguided way, some of them might actually think they are doing something good. It's possible."

I agree. Also coming to mind is the idea of these anti-American protesters being martyred in some fashion, and that would be just awful...

[JPop]

I like the "totem pole," image, it fits.
I guess, perhaps, we were simply confused (having just returned from combat). We somehow assumed we were more or less on equal footing; guess they showed us! :-)

[white trash redneck]

No surprise. I wouldn't be surprised if demo organizers linked to Al Quaeda.

[tracer]

Perhaps it soon will be necessary to call out "the militia," if'n ya git muh drift....

[tracer]

Even if I'm in a synagogue??

[tracer]

"I don't expect to see the Al Qaeda at a "puke in". They are some thing the Al Qaeda just won't do..."

Not to mention that it would make them hungry and homesick...

[Eva]

The terrorist organizations, such as those linked to Sami Al Arian are an integral part of the anti-war groups, such as Not in Our Name. Here is a link to an article which details these links. Bookmark it for future reference, there's a lot of important information in this article.

Not in Our name and the Worldwide Terrorism Web

[Dutchy]

bump!!

[potlatch]

Sound like something you might like to see happen?

Certainly not! It sounds like an unusual occurrence, could the police have known you were Vietnam Vets? I know many were treated badly after they returned.

People were acting then as badly as they are now, and you were in jail longer than the protesters who commit civil disobedience now!!

I heard a protest leader on TV, tell O'Reilly that they were going to 'do things', and you can see that they are breaking laws now. Thanks for your service in Viet Nam!!

[JPop]

Potlatch, I appreciate both the reply--and the thanks (that is not why I wrote, but I appreciate it!).

Could the police have known we were Vietnam Vets? you asked? YES..they KNEW, unless (perhaps?) they were not only liars, but deaf too!! I mean we TOLD THEM we were Nam vets (like about 50 times!), we had military ID, we LOOKED "military types," (as we were, active duty paratroopers).

My real point is, despite the good "intent" of laws that "aim to prevent" public disturbances, like Atlanta's "Safe Street and Sidewalk Act," the laws CAN be and ARE easily abused. It was VERY upsetting. They not only did not (refused to!) read us our rights, refused to even tell us what we did wrong (nothing), we later learned, under the Safe Street and Sidewalk Act, they were not required to even TELL us anything--for 72 hours!!!!!

So, when people talk about "passing laws" (the Patriot Act? what a JOKE!!!) to protect me?? I say--I am MUCH more afraid of Ashcroft and the FBI, part of Dubya's own personal axis of evil, than I am of "the terrorists."

Let's not forget we DO as AMERICANS have RIGHTS, that is what we supposedly fought for, right? If we disagree with the government we should say so--we enjoy THE RIGHT to do that.

Being PRO american, is not, necessarily, the same as being PRO government--especially when our own Ruling Regime is power-hungry old men--suffering from fear, and using FEAR as a way to appeal to Americans--as a front for taking away our rights. It is disgusting.

Who is going to protect us from our "protectors"?? The Bill of Rights--thats who. That is my point.
Proud American Vet
173d Airborne--Nam
Wounded twice

[Pitchfork]

Interesting that the FBI didn't stop to think that Al-Qaida operatives might attend the pro-war rallies too! They could put on little "Arabs against Saddam" signs and recieve back slaps from patriotic marchers while conducting the same information gathering activities.

[JPop]

EXACTLY.

[FairOpinion]

Don't give them any ideas!

Besides, they wouldn't be comfortable, but with the anti-war group of Motley fools, they fit right in: they all hate America.

[potlatch]

Sorry, JPop, I forgot to turn my pager on and just saw this. I guess, as an older woman, I am alarmed at the anger and division in our country. I've never seen it quite like this before!

The protests are getting out of hand and don't solve anything, as the war IS going on. The liberals beliefs and objectives scare me for the future of my children and grandchildren.

As a Texan, I believe Bush to be a moral man, and pray each day that he is 'guided' to do the right thing. Probabily, when I 'speak', it is based more on feelings than on constitutional rights.

Thanks for listening to my point of view. Regards, Carol

[Terridan]

I think its about time the rest of us get "savy" before we get "savyed" out! ;)
Stay well, and God bless.
Terri

[JPop]

You're most welcome, Carol.

And thanks for listening to my points, too.

Regards,

[packrat01]

riiiiight. they sure showed you.

they wouldn't even see the irony if it was explained to them.

thanks for serving.

[JPop]

Thanks for the post...

I'm glad there are people (you, for example) who who caught the humor (sarcasm?)!!!

Seeing the 173d Airborne jump into Iraq made a lot of us vets, especially old paras, I think--get goose bumps!!!