Threat Matrix: July 2007

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Threat Matrix:
July 2007

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US Steps Up Security Following Attack in Britain

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff made appearances on several television talk shows.

He told ABC's This Week program there is no indication of a linkage between the events in Britain and any specific attacks on the United States. "We do not have, at this point, specific, credible intelligence that there is an attack, a particular attack, focused on this country," he said.

But at the same time, speaking on CNN's Late Edition program, Chertoff said U.S. authorities are concerned about the threat of terrorism, especially in the coming months. "We have had a number of al-Qaida leaders quite publicly talking about how they want to carry out their threats against the West. So, given that and given the history that we have had over past summers, with attacks in Britain, I think we were clearly focused on this as a possibility," he said. Full story...

	More United Kingdom Attacks Possible
	More US Air Marshals on Flights to Europe
	Officials: Car Bomb Plot Bears al Qaida's Trademark

[Velveeta]

Saudi tourists briefly detained, questioned at airport

LOS ANGELES: Police detained and questioned nine Saudi Arabian men at a small airport after someone called authorities and said the men looked suspicious.

The men, tourists visiting the Los Angeles area, were at Whiteman Airport about 3 p.m. Friday to take helicopter rides, said Deputy Chief Michael Downing, head of the LAPD’s counterterrorism bureau.

Three of the men were in a helicopter touring downtown when police arrived. Upon their return, all nine men were detained, authorities said.

The men were cooperative, had legitimate visas and were released, said Downing.

The “suspicious activity” call to a law enforcement tipster hotline came from someone who was at the small, private airport, Downing said.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/07/america/NA-GEN-US-Saudi-Tourists-Detained.php

[callmejoe]

http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0707075443155348.htm

Today: Saturday July 07, 2007
Iran president may visit Syria: daily
Beirut, July 7, IRNA (excerpt)

A Lebanese news source on Saturday predicted that Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would pay a visit to Syria and Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal would visit Iran.

The Lebanese `As-Safir’ newspaper said developments in Lebanon would be discussed during the two visits. . .

News sent: 15:53 Saturday July 07, 2007

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/879176.html

Last update - 10:17 07/07/2007
Lebanese sources: Syria to evacuate citizens, close border
By Haaretz Service (excerpt)

Lebanese sources told a Nazareth newspaper that Syria is planning to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon and close the border by mid-month, Israel Radio reported Saturday. . .

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1183459215876&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter

Report: Syria removing military checkpoints in Golan
JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST
Jul. 7, 2007 (snip)

The London based Al-Hayat reported Saturday that Israel was “concerned” that Syria’s decision to remove military checkpoints on the road to Kuneitra on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights could be a preparation for war. According to the report, the checkpoints in question had been in place for 40 years, ever since the Six Day War. . .

Last week, the Golani Infantry Brigade held its training-concluding drill in the Golan Heights. The drill summarized 70 days of training which focused on practicing for battle against a Syrian-Lebanese constellation. The drill was widely covered in the Syrian media, even prompting a Syrian radio analyst to say that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was lying in his statements that Israel seeks peaceful relations with Syria. The analyst said it was clear the Golani drill constituted preparation for an Israeli attack.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3408581,00.html

‘Coordinate confrontation against Israel’
16:50 , 06.04.07

Syrian president quoted by Iranian news agency as calling for ‘better coordination’ between Damascus and Tehran against Israel
Yaakov Lappin (excerpt)

Syrian President Bashar Assad has called for “better cooperation” between Damascus and Tehran in “the confrontation with the Zionist regime and the USA,” according to a report published on Sunday by Iran’s official state news agency, IRNA.

The report, which was reproduced on the personal blog of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, quoted a telephone conversation between the two leaders, after Ahmadinejad congratulated Assad on winning the Syrian elections. . .

Meanwhile, a new feature on Ahmadinejad’s blog has appeared in the form of scrolling text calling for the arrival of Imam Mahdi, revered by some Shiites as being the Islamic messiah. A number of Shiite scholars believe that the Mahdi’s arrival is near, and that it will herald the start of an apocalyptic era, a view which President Ahmadinejad reportedly subscribes to.

“O, Almighty God, bestow upon humanity the perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us among his followers,” the message said.

http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/Newsdesk.nsf/0/7082F91E1191E3E1C22572EF003E57CD?OpenDocument

Ahmadinejad: Israel’s ‘Destruction’ Countdown Starts on Hands of Lebanese, Palestinians

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that a countdown has begun that will end with the “destruction” of Israel by the people of Lebanon and Palestine, the ISNA news agency reported.

“The countdown has started for the Zionist regime’s destruction at the hands of the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples,” the student agency quoted the president as saying.

“In the near future we will witness the destruction of the Zionist regime, God willing.”

Beirut, 03 Jun 07, 14:23

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2007/July/theuae_July185.xml&section=theuae

Islands part and parcel of UAE: GCC (edited)

7 July 2007

RIYADH — The GCC foreign ministers reiterated on Thursday the right of the UAE to restore sovereignty over its three islands —Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa — occupied by Iran. “The three islands are part and parcel of the UAE,” affirmed the ministers in a statement issued at the end of their 103rd meeting. . .

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=98255&d=7&m=7&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Saturday, 7, July, 2007 (21, Jumada al-Thani, 1428)
Solve Iran Crisis Peacefully, Saud Says
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News — (excerpt)

JEDDAH, 7 July 2007 — Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday reiterated Saudi Arabia’s call for a peaceful solution to the international standoff over Iran’s nuclear energy program and downplayed the idea of Tehran targeting GCC countries in the wake of a possible US strike against it.

“We have expressed our hope that the Iranian crisis is solved peacefully,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Prince Saud as saying after a meeting of GCC foreign ministers here on Thursday night. Asked about the chances of Iran striking at Gulf countries in the event of hostilities, the prince said: “I haven’t heard of such a suggestion ... but it is inappropriate.” . . .

http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-203/0707077018174058.htm

Today: Saturday July 07, 2007
Persian Gulf Islands are and will remain Iranian, FM spokesman
Tehran, July 7, IRNA
Iran-FM Spokesman-PGCC (snipped)

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini rejecting PGCC communique on the Iranian Persian Gulf Islands said on Saturday that the Islands are and will remain inseparable and integral parts of Iranian territory. . . He said that repetition of the baseless stance by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) on the issue is surprising give that fact that Iran and the UAE enjoy enhanced contacts and relations. . .

News sent: 17:40 Saturday July 07, 2007

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article1909896.ece?print=yes

June 10, 2007

Iran threatens Gulf blitz if US hits nuclear plants
Michael Smith (excerpt)

IRAN has threatened to launch a missile blitz against the Gulf states and plunge the entire Middle East into war if America attacks its nuclear facilities. Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a senior defence adviser to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that Gulf states providing the US with military cooperation would be the key targets of a barrage of ballistic missiles. Shamkhani told the US journal Defense News that missiles would be launched not only at US military bases but also at strategic targets such as oil refineries and power stations.

Qatar, Bahrain and Oman all host important US bases and British forces are based in all three countries. Any Iranian attack would be bound to draw in the other Gulf Cooperation Council states: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

The attacks on Arab states would be in addition to airstrikes on Israel, which have been threatened repeatedly. An Iranian foreign ministry official said: “The objective would be to overwhelm US missile defence systems with dozens and maybe hundreds of missiles fired simultaneously at specific targets.” Shamkhani, a former Iranian defence minister, accused the Gulf states of “helping the US establish legitimacy for its anticipated aggression against Iran”. Shamkhani is the head of Iran’s Centre for Strategic Studies, a think tank made up of former foreign, defence and interior ministers that advises the supreme leader. . .

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thanks for the ping, Joe. I had read on another board about the Syrians evacuating their citizens from Lebanon. Sounds a bit foreboding.

You’re just full of good news. /sarc

[Cindy]

Smiling...I have diverse friends, good thing -— my ancestry is pretty diverse, too.

[Cindy]

BIG DITTO.

[Cindy]

Thanks Velveeta.
Better to be safe than sorry.

[Cindy]

Thanks callmejoe, I’ll add a link to your post to go with my post 670.

[Cindy]

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=26168_Video-_Ex-Islamists_in_Britain&only

#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsWVINDodHw
“Former Radical Muslims.”
(Added July 7, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=irhabi007

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1603333/posts

#

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1603333/posts?page=65#65

Thanks to RDTF for the ping to this link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2007/07/05/nterr405.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/05/nterror405.xml

“45 Muslim doctors planned US terror raids”
By John Steele, Crime Correspondent
Last Updated: 5:27pm BST 05/07/2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A group of 45 Muslim doctors threatened to use car bombs and rocket grenades in terrorist attacks in the United States during discussions on an extremist internet chat site.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “They were discovered at the home of Younis Tsouli, 23, Woolwich Crown Court in south-east London heard.

One message read: “We are 45 doctors and we are determined to undertake jihad and take the battle inside America.

“The first target which will be penetrated by nine brothers is the naval base which gives shelter to the ship Kennedy.” This is thought to have been a reference to the USS John F Kennedy, which is often at Mayport Naval Base in Jacksonville, Florida.

The message discussed targets at the base, adding: “These are clubs for naked women which are opposite the First and Third units.”

It also referred to using six Chevrolet GT vehicles and three fishing boats and blowing up petrol tanks with rocket propelled grenades.

Investigators have found no link between the Tsouli chat room and the group of doctors and medics currently in custody over attempted car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow.

However, sources said it was “definitely spooky” that the use of doctors for terrorist purposes was being discussed in jihadi terrorist circles up to three years ago.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “In one on-line conversation, Daour, asked what he would do with £1 million, replied: “Sponsor terrorist attacks, become the new Osama.”

The three men outwardly appeared to be leading normal lives, studying and living with their parents. Tsouli had come to the UK with his family from Morocco in 2001.

Mughal had a degree in biochemistry from Leicester University and was studying for his masters.

Daour, who was granted British citizenship in May 2005, had applied to start a law degree.”

65 posted on 07/05/2007 1:42:09 PM PDT by Cindy

[Dutchgirl]

bookmark

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=switzerland
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internet

###

stepping back in time...

http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/006098.html
http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/001064.html
http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/005833.html
http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/005423.html
http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/005236.html
http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/003760.html

###

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/07/switzerland_next_target.php
“Switzerland, next target?”
By Olivier Guitta
(July 7, 2007)

#

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/856wrnid.asp

“Cuckoo Clocks and Jihadists
What Switzerland is now producing.”
by Olivier Guitta
07/16/2007, Volume 012, Issue 41

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “As jihadist plots continue to be uncovered from Glasgow to New Jersey, it is plain that no place can be considered entirely safe. That includes placid, would-be neutral Switzerland, where a series of incidents and controversies in recent months points to a small but untiring Saudi-sponsored Islamist presence—and to a growing determination to resist its excesses on the part of some Swiss citizens and the Swiss authorities.

Switzerland has more than 300,000 Muslims—some 4.3 percent of the population—few of whom are of Arab descent. Most came as migrants or refugees from the former Yugoslavia (57 percent) or Turkey (20 percent). Yet the small minority who are Arabs (5 percent) have made their mark.”

[Cindy]

Thank you and have a good day.

[Cindy]

COUNTERTERRORSIM BLOG.org: "UK TERROR INVESTIGATIONS - NEWS ROUNDUP - JULY 7, 2007" (July 7, 2007)

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1862345/posts

#

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6280884.stm

Last Updated: Saturday, 7 July 2007, 21:37 GMT 22:37 UK

“’Islamic duty’ to help UK police”

#

Previously...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6279416.stm

Last Updated: Saturday, 7 July 2007, 14:44 GMT 15:44 UK

“Hundreds attend anti-terror rally”

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=malaccastraits

#

http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2373531
TERRORISM MONITOR

“Obstacles to Closer Counter-Terrorism Coordination in Malacca Straits”
By Eric Watkins
(July 6, 2007)

[Oorang]

Thanks all for the excellent information and pings. I do appreciate your effort.

_____________________________________________

New Australia raids over UK bombs
Friday, 6 July 2007

Police in Australia have seized new evidence and questioned five more doctors over last week's failed car bomb attacks in the UK. Computers and other materials were taken from two Western Australian hospitals, one in Perth and one in the Outback mining town of Kalgoorlie.

Excerpted

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6275918.stm

Morocco raises terror warning to highest level
Jul 7, 2007

Rabat, Morocco - The Moroccan government raised the country's terrorism warning level to its highest level late Friday.

The Interior Ministry raised the warning in response to 'reliable information' and security forces were on alert.

In March and April, six suicide bombers killed themselves in the city of Casablanca. A seventh was shot by police. The attacks killed one official and wounded 25 other people. Police have arrested 30 people in connection with the bombings.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/news/article_1327182.php/Morocco_raises_terror_warning_to_highest_level

Surrender or die, Musharraf tells Lal Masjid militants
7 Jul, 2007

ISLAMABAD: In a blunt warning to hundreds of radical students and militants holed up in the Lal Masjid, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said that they must surrender failing which they would all be killed.

During his visit to Balochistan to oversee relief work for flood-affected people, Musharraf said those holed up in the radical mosque in the heart of Islamabad "must surrender or else they will killed". "No compromise would be made on peace and writ of the law will be ensured all over the country at all costs," Dawn news TV quoted him as saying during visit to provincial capital, Quetta. The militants headed by the deputy administrator of the mosque, Abdul Rashid Ghazi should surrender of face death, the General said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pakistan/Surrender_or_die_Musharraf_tells_Lal_Masjid_militants/rssarticleshow/2184587.cms

[Cindy]

Thanks to fanfan for the ping to this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1862349/posts

#

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “He was accused of providing logistical support in a series of outrages”

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_01/boutarfaMS0707_468x493.jpg

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=466942&in_page_id=1770

“NHS doctors accused of bomb plots, Al Qaeda fanatics working for the police, and now the Terrorist traffic warden”

By IAN GALLAGHER and RHODRI PHILLIPS - More by this author »Last updated at 23:08pm on 7th July 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A terrorist jailed for his involvement in a bomb attack on the Paris Metro - which killed eight people and wounded 80 - has been working as a traffic warden in England.

Mustapha Boutarfa, 32, was arrested by Scotland Yard’s anti-terrorist squad in 1996 and extradited from Britain to France two years later.

He stood trial for his auxiliary role in the 1995 attack on the St Michel station by a notorious Islamic militant group and was given a two-year prison sentence.

But after his release, Boutarfa, who held dual French and Algerian nationality, managed to get back into the UK with his wife and children - and also secured the job as a parking attendant in Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Boutarfa was detained in London in 1996 under an international arrest warrant and held at Belmarsh high-security prison before being extradited.

He was accused of providing logistical support in a series of outrages. He rented an apartment in Paris which was used by Algeria’s Armed Islamic Group (GIA) for a series of bomb attacks across France. Worst of all was the attack on the St Michel station when a gas bottle was thrown on to a platform on July 25, 1995, causing carnage.

Boutarfa was linked to the attacks after police claimed known terrorists had visited his Paris flat.

It was unclear why Boutarfa was allowed back into Britain. It is understood he lied about his criminal conviction when he applied for his job as a traffic warden.

He was arrested on June 6 on suspicion of making a false declaration and has been bailed pending further investigation.

Tim Cowen of NCP Services said: “NCP Services suspended Mr Boutarfa as soon as we discovered that he had a conviction for terrorism-related offences in France. There is no way for UK employers to check offences committed in Europe, yet EU citizens such as Mr Boutarfa have the right to work in the UK.

“He was not initially employed by NCP Services but by the previous contractors. When we took over the contract he was transferred to us, as is his legal right.””

[Cindy]

You’re welcome Oorang and THANK YOU.

Happy Saturday...we just came in from lawn mowing.

[fanfan]

:-)

[Cindy]

Previously...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1859319/posts?page=699#699

ADDING 1 post to post no. 697:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1862093/posts?page=15#15

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1274107,00.html

“Al Qaeda Extremists ‘Working In Police’”
Updated: 01:18, Saturday July 07, 2007

“Up to eight people believed to have links with extremist groups including al Qaeda are working for British police forces, according to newspaper reports.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The spokeswoman added: “If the media believe that an individual has terrorist links and they have evidence which they can substantiate we would ask that they give us this information as a matter of urgency so that we can carry out an investigation.””

15 posted on 07/07/2007 12:14:52 AM PDT by Cindy

699 posted on 07/07/2007 12:16:26 AM PDT by Cindy