US Officials See No Sniper Link To Terror Group

Reuters/Yahoo ^ | 10-20-2002

[blam]

U.S. Officials See No Sniper Link to Terror Group

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. officials said on Sunday authorities were investigating but had found no evidence to link a string of deadly sniper attacks in the Washington area to international terror groups.

Secretary of State Colin Powell , appearing on "Fox News Sunday," said it was conceivable but unproven that the attacks were connected to the al Qaeda organization of Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden , which the United States has blamed for last year's Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

"Obviously, it's conceivable, but I have seen no evidence to tie this terrible series of attacks in the Washington area to al Qaeda," Powell said. "We're looking for every possible connection, but so far I've not seen anything that does tie it to al Qaeda."

Powell and other officials spoke following what appeared to be a 12th attack by the gunman who has encircled the nation's capital since Oct. 2 with random shootings that have killed nine people and injured two.

A shooting on Saturday night in Ashland, Virginia, prompted another massive manhunt and dragnet of highways. Hundreds of local, state and federal officials are pursuing the killer, who appears to pick victims at random and has struck with a high-velocity rifle in Washington and neighboring suburbs in Maryland and Virginia.

President Bush 's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice , told CBS' "Face the Nation" officials were vigorously looking for a link between the sniper and terror groups but had found none.

"There's no evidence to this point that this is the work of an international terrorist organization," Rice said. "We are of course keeping open that possibility and we're going to turn over every rock to see if it might in fact be."

On CNN's "Late Edition," Rice said investigators were sent to the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to interview suspected al Qaeda detainees from Afghanistan about the sniper shootings.

Rice also said no claim of responsibility for the shootings had been made and Bush was being briefed daily.

"But there is no evidence at this point that this is internationally driven in any way," Rice said.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle told the Fox program he was frustrated by the case and suggested the FBI and federal authorities do more to help solve it.

"Whether or not it's international, it is terror," the South Dakota Democrat said. "It is striking at the hearts and minds of people in this whole area, changing the way we live and the way we act and the way we think."

"We need to meld forces here and do all that we can to ... apprehend this criminal," Daschle said. "It is not only a concern for our children and our families and the way we live, but a frustration about our inability, with all the resources we have in law enforcement, not to be able to ... find him."

[ConservativeMan55]

They also said this about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
"Oh its just a couple of reckless criminals"

Yeah right, this is terrorists, and everybody knows it.

[boomop1]

How can they say that? They haven't caught the perp yet, US officals BLAH.

[swarthyguy]

Don't they realise their credibility is in the dumper?

At least admit the possibity...or the FBI is just visiting Gitmo for the weather.

Doesn't have to be alqaeda to be terror; anyone of a dozen islamist terror groups will do.

As it is, all US government spokesmen are basically LYING in my book, including Powell and Rice.

[Eva]

, but a frustration about our inability, with all the resources we have in law enforcement, not to be able to ... find him."

Yeah, Tommy Boy, we'd have alot more resources if you had passed the homeland securtity bill.

[ladyinred]

I have seen no evidence does not mean there is no evidence does it?

[Cicero]

I suppose this is true, but it's unfortunate.

"There's no evidence," according to Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice.

That was one of clinton's very favorite sayings. First he would delay and obstruct, then he would shred and delete, then he would lose a few hard drives, then there would be a few Arkancides, and finally he would truthfully point out, "There's no evidence."

If there's REALLY no evidence, maybe they should just keep their mouths shut. But let's keep in mind that the witness who said he got a good look at the van driver when he tried to pull into his lane, and described him as a small, angry-looking, "Middle Easterner," was NOT the same witness as the felon who was discredited for making up a story about broken tail lights, a cream colored van, and an AK-74. The real witness said he got a good look at the man and would recognize him again. And that he was Middle Eastern.

[blam]

"Yeah, Tommy Boy, we'd have alot more resources if you had passed the homeland securtity bill."

He's been busy with 'kitchen table' issues.

[anniegetyourgun]

Something tells me (if it were ME terror cell connected) the DOJ and others would have already done a rundown on all their suspects. They seem to be doing a good job of identifying these folks thus far.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Powell is saying that only up till right now they don't see conclusive evidence.

In other words the door is wide open and they're still investigating all the possibilities...

And, they don't want to panic the American public.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Chief Moose and the Feds protecting America

Moose gives his orders to the coppers

Special agents ride Interstate I-95 ever watchful

Damn! He shot and got away again <P

[SSN558]

"But there is no evidence at this point that this is internationally driven in any way"

Well then Condi, "why is the FBI, military, and other alaphabet agencies involved in the investigation ?" If you believe your own words, then this should be a matter for local law enforcement and the National Guard. The government is afraid of saying or doing anything that would induce panic, necessitating martial law, but that has already occured so what's the problem ?

A terrorist(s) is on the loose. The terrorist(s) is randomly selecting and killing people with sniper attacks. It matters not to the families and friends of the victims or the rest of the population doing the Maryland shuffle, where he gets his allowance from.

Draw intersecting lines between all the sites of the attacks and the mosques. Superimpose the map of the shooting sites on top of the map of the mosques. Very interesting patterns develop.

[John H K]

Can you read and understand simple sentences? Doesn't seem like it. Both Powell and Rice DID admit the possibility.

Sheesh. People are going to throw a little tantrum any time anyone official says anything other than "Despite no evidence at all to that effect, it clearly has to be Muslim terrorists" because they so desperately WANT the sniper to be a Muslim terrorist.

[John H K]

Wait....you've got a sniper crossing and re-crossing state lines, and you wouldn't have the FBI with a role in the investigation, even if it wasn't connected to international terrorism?


The panic issue is silly, as people find the idea of a lone domestic nut randomly killing people MORE terrifying than an AQ operative randomly killing people; it's a lot easier to imagine this being prevented in the future if it's an AQ operative; close borders, bomb some countries, etc.

If it's a lone domestic nut it could happen again and there's basically nothing to do to stop it.

[blam]

"In other words the door is wide open and they're still investigating all the possibilities... And, they don't want to panic the American public."

That's the way I read it too.

[Mr. Mojo]

"I have seen no evidence" does not mean there is no evidence, does it?

Depends on what the meaning of the word is, is.

[mewzilla]

Cut 'em some slack. Or don't you recall how the DOT initially said Richard Reid wasn't a terrorist and was acting alone (though he wasn't a terrorist mind you)...Really inspires confidence, stuff like that.

[John W]

You and I and others may think the panic issue is silly-that one solution you mentioned about the borders,yeah that'll happen,maybe if our death toll hits tha millions-however those in power seem traditionally more worried about upheaval among the masses than much else in certain instances.Probably because said upheaval could possibly be more threatening to their power than a sniper or a plane crash.

[AmericanInTokyo]

If they made any kind of statement in favor of the realm of possibility that it WAS Islamic Terrorism, the very US Federal Government which promotes the Ad Council "I AM AN AMERICAN"

would be defeating itself and admitting it was wrong in accepting people into this country from too many damn directions, with little control and very little skepticism questioning their motives.

To accept it is terrorism from abroad now in our midst shoots down the whole diversity sham, shoes off-at-the-mosque "Religion of Peace" idiotic photo ops, and other bastions of entrenched Political Correctness thinking that occupies the entirety of the Democratic party and significant sectors of leadership of the Republican party as well.

Sad to say.

[Abar]

I'd be happy to see Moose construct a proper English sentence.

Regarding the feds, well, there's the epitome of incompetence.

[Mr. Mojo]

Exactly, the holding and exercising of power is first and foremost among their concerns, and if the truth has to be either evaded or sacrificed altogether to secure that end, so be it. This does not change when one party loses power to the other.

[Cindy]

SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS: Click on any of the links of your choice and read all about it!

FOX NEWS.com - CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE SNIPER SHOOTINGS IN MARYLAND, WASHINGTON, DC and VIRGINIA (102002)

*GOT A TIP REGARDING THE SNIPER SHOOTINGS? Send an e-mail to the MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT: taskforce@co.mo.md.us

*GOT A TIP REGARDING THE SNIPER SHOOTINGS? Call the TIP LINE: 1-888-324-9800

*GOT A TIP REGARDING THE SNIPER SHOOTINGS? Send your tip to: P.O. BOX 7875 Gaithersburg, MD 20898-7875

*WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY REWARD FUND? Montgomery County Reward Fund, Office of the County Executive, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, Maryland 20850

Cindy wonders out loud, "Could "the beltway sniper" actually be operating with a terrorist cell or team versus just one sniper acting alone?"

NY POST.com: "OSAMA'S RIFLEMEN" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "An al Qaeda suspect in custody in Belgium told American investigators he saw members of the terror organization training snipers in preparation for attacks on U.S. soil, a source told The Post last night.") (ARTICLE NOTE: The suspect is identified as Nizar Treblisi.) (101802)

WorldNetDaily.com: "NEW AL-QAIDA TRAINING TAPE SHOWS ANOTHER SIDE OF TERROR Captured Video Reveals Plans for Home Break-ins, Killing Police, Drive-bys, Golf Course Assassinations" by Joseph Farah (090402)

ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES Spokesperson Unit: "EXTREMIST ISLAMIC WEBSITE PUBLISHES GUIDE: 'HOW TO KIDNAP AMERICAN CITIZENS'"(101402)

WORLD TRIBUNE.com: "HOW TO BOMB THY NEIGHBOR: HAMAS OFFERS ONLINE 'ACADEMY'" (100302)

THE LIVE WIRE: "ANCIENT HISTORY SHOWS SNIPER COULD BE AN AMERICAN OR AL QAIDA" -Commentary by Gregory J. Rummo (101702)

TOWNHALL.com: "THE OTHER BELTWAY SNIPER" -Column by Michelle Malkin (Note: The shooting spree took place January 25, 1993. The shooter was Mir Aimal Kasi.) (101602)

For more information regarding the MIR AIMAL KASI shooting spree case CLICK HERE

**OCTOBER 10, 2002: WORLDWIDE CAUTION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE (click here)**

**OCTOBER 9, 2002: FBI.gov - Press Release: "FBI DISTRIBUTES MESSAGE TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT" (click here)**

THE HAWAII CHANNEL.com (KITV 4 NEWS): "FBI INVESTIGATES THREAT ON HAWAII NAVY BASES Letter Threatens December Attack" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "HONOLULU -- The Navy is warning Hawaii commanders about a potential terrorist threat.") (101802)

stepping back in time...DECEMBER 7, 1941: "JAPAN ATTACKS PEARL HARBOR!"

HINDUSTAN TIMES.com (REUTERS, Washington): "HUNDREDS OF US NAVY COMPUTERS MISSING: REPORT" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Nearly 600 computers are missing from the US Pacific Fleet's warships and submarines as of late July, including at least 14 known to have handled classified data, an internal Navy report said. The fleet, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, sought to prevent release of the Naval Audit Service report, even though it was not classified.") (101902)

TBO.com: "AIR FORCE: 4 LAPTOPS STOLEN" (101702)

WIRED.com News: "TERROR TURNS REAL FOR HORROR SITE" by Michelle Delio (101802)

CapMag.com - CAPITALISM MAGAZINE: "INS IN DENIAL" by Daniel Pipes (101902)

SignOnSanDiego.com News (COPLEY NEWS SERVICE): "EFFORT TO CURTAIL INS CHECKPOINTS ADVANCES" by Joe Cantlupe, Copley News Service (101902)

[swarthyguy]

Some of us are not happy with being treated as mushrooms.

These attacks are straight out of the alqaeda playbook.

A week after we were warned of attacks against the US economy. To make Americans terrified at home.

And simultaneously with other attacks around the world.

But then you probably thought the French Tanker was a central fuel tank explosion; and the second attack on US Marines in Kuwait were just a pair of enthusiastic bird-hunters as the Kuwaiti scumbag official said.

[cynicom]

Sounds like a rerun of Janet Reno..."No credible evidence etc etc"...

Unless someone has a video of a self confession by the perps, there is no evidence.

[ladyinred]

Depends on what the meaning of the word is, is.

Of course, how could I forget that? :-)

[cynicom]

If the cops are willing to treat this event as a sicko nutcase, why not also treat it as a possible terrorist affair until proven otherwise????? Start with the worst.

After some of the "press briefings" I consider them as photo ops nothing more.

[blam]

"If the cops are willing to treat this event as a sicko nutcase, why not also treat it as a possible terrorist affair until proven otherwise????? Start with the worst."

They're treating this as if it were a potential terrorist, they are just telling us otherwise...and that is the troubling part. They cannot stop terrorist snipers!

[johnny7]

As Merrit Edson said on Guadalcanal... “This ain't no motley of Japs!” ... and this is not just one lone whack-job.

The police are not prepared to deal proactively with an organized killing team.

These people work 24/7 finding good sniper spots and quick getaway options.

They probably communicate by cell-phone and wait untill it looks foolproof.

The cops will never find them unless somebody spots the shooter setting up from a window and quickly calls 911.

Chances of that are almost as slim as the group turning themselves in.

[swarthyguy]

I hope that the public face belies the true nature of the investigation.

[savedbygrace]

Draw intersecting lines between all the sites of the attacks and the mosques. Superimpose the map of the shooting sites on top of the map of the mosques. Very interesting patterns develop.

Is that posted someplace? Do you happen to have a link?

[kennyboy509]

The feds think we will panic like sheep if we are told it's terrorist.

The media is pumping the lone "angry white male" gunman to re-energise the anti gun movement. The liberals love this lost cause SO MUCH that they will lose every seat in the Nation for it. Election time is near and the Dems don't have an issue.

D.C. Police and F.B.I. are avoiding giving a description of the perp because "he is an Islamo-fasist terrorist of mid east descent and do not want the heat from liberals for PROFILING.

A pickup truck allows you to hide and shoot in the prone position. The prone position is also the most stable position to shoot in this situation.

Panel or box trucks draw to much attention from the cops. At this point the cops are searching ALL of these vehicals!!

If you want to throw off the cops, what better way to go thru a road block than to have a PICKUP TRUCK with painting, or landscaping equipment under a black tarp in the back with a handy place to hide under.

The coyotes that smuggle illegal aliens across the border use this trick. DC and local area police are not on to this one! This ain't San Diego!

If the cops are looking for a van type WORK vehical and IF I'm hinding under a tarp, I'm gonna get waved thru. The cops want the area cleared as soon as possible.

There is a panic factor to consider here ALSO. The cops are JUST as scared as the shooters and the victims.

If they (the cops) keep this nonsense up and they (the perps) do not get caught soon, terrors cells all over North America are gonna start adopting this method and the body count is gonna go thru the roof. It's going to spread FAST. This is not some NUT NRA member. Which is what the media want it to be.

This is my theory

#1 There are at least 2 moslems working together.(simple deduction: Occums Razor, we are at war)

#2 A shooter is laying in the the prone shooting position in the back of a covered pick up truck. Shooting thru a peephole in the tailgate.

#3 The other guy is the calm getaway driver and lookout. It is too difficult to concentrate on the target AND look out for your self at the same time. The trigger man concentrates on the "long distance". The driver/watcher concentrates on the "immediate area".

#4 They always park the truck with the bed facing the target. Its not camper type cover, that would draw attention from the cops. They are looking for a van.

#5 The lookout gets out of the vehicle and not only watches the surrounding area. But tells the shooter when its clear to pull the trigger via cell phone.

#6 The bed of the truck has a flat canopy. It is well insulated to keep the sound at a mininum. The direction of the suppressed sound is difficult to pinpoint.

#7 After the shoot, the driver calmly goes back to the truck and obeying the all traffic laws drive away while listening to the police chatter on scanners. They may even have a team to hand off the weapons to in another vehical.

#8 They might even be blond haired blue eyed moslems from Bosnia

explanation: This is how I would do it, if I were a bad guy

How this is going to end:

An armed citizen is going the hear the direction of the gunfire and charge at it with a pistol. This guy charging with pistol is either going to kill both perps or die trying.