Threat Matrix: January 2008

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[nwctwx]

Still in Control

Pervez Musharraf was calm, confident and—despite a flurry of rumors—not about to announce his resignation. Instead, the Pakistani president's "concession" to his troubled nation was an announcement that he would allow Britain's Scotland Yard to help local law enforcement agencies with their investigation into last week's assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Speaking in a nationally televised address two hours after Pakistan's election commission announced the postponement of the ballot to Feb. 18, six weeks later than had been scheduled, Musharraf was notably deferential in his remarks about Bhutto, often invoking her "martyrdom" and extolling her liberal democratic credentials. "May she go to heaven," he said. "I stand for the same things she said." Read More

	Pakistan's Frayed Politics
	Musharraf's Dangerous Liaisons
	Pakistan after Bhutto

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January 2008

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[Velveeta]

You’re welcome.

[Cindy]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/011108dnmetreactor.d15dfb4.html

#

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951884/posts

“Rockwall Man Boasts Of Nuclear Reactor, But No Arrest Made”
The Dallas Morning News ^ | hursday, January 10, 2008 | JASON TRAHAN
Posted on 01/10/2008 10:16:34 PM PST by DogByte6RER

“Rockwall man boasts of nuclear reactor, but no arrest made”
Thursday, January 10, 2008
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A 22-year-old Rockwall man’s Internet boasts that he had made a mini-nuclear reactor in his garage resulted in a visit recently by federal authorities.

Representatives with the FBI and the Texas Department of State Health Services’ Radiation Control Program took away the man’s science equipment on Friday – but not because he was doing anything dangerous or illegal.

Rather, the man’s parents, with whom he is living, asked that the equipment be removed, officials said.

The man, who was not identified by authorities and who could not be reached, was experimenting with Americium-241, a man-made radioactive element common in smoke detectors, and natural radioactive ore that he had bought legally over eBay, said Victor Dricks, a regional spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Commission investigators discovered the homemade atomic lab on Dec. 29, when they found the man’s boasts on an amateur science blog. He said on the blog that he had produced high amounts of radiation in his house while making Plutonium-239, a component in nuclear weapons. He made no mention of nefarious motives; he was just interested in the science, officials said.

Tests on the home did not show abnormal levels of radiation, officials said. The man’s “claims that he had created a nuclear reactor that was producing high amounts of radiation were unfounded,” Mr. Dricks said. Neighbors were not in danger, he added.

No charges will be filed because it is legal to possess the ore he had, Mr. Dricks said. “It’s naturally occurring uranium, like you’d find in the ground. It’s only when it’s processed and the radioactive component is concentrated is where a license is required. He had not been doing that.””

(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951905/posts

“The Terrorist Roundup for January 11, 2008”
1/11/08
Posted on 01/11/2008 12:04:36 AM PST by Straight Vermonter

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=ef20fe30-ee0c-4822-9326-7c130454cfc1&k=66076

“Two accused in shooting faced charges in Calgary incident”
Geoff Nixon, Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, January 11, 2008

[Cindy]

www.ekhlaas.org/
www.ekhlaas.org/forum

#

www.ekhlaas.org/forum/showthread.php?t=112918

mi-10.com/up/p10.gif

#

mi-10.com/up/o8o8.gif

[Cindy]

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

#

blog:

http://threatswatch.org/rapidrecon/2008/01/nigerian-militants-threaten-ec/

“Nigerian Insurgents Pledge ‘Economic Tsunami’”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), an insurgent group active in southern Nigeria’s Niger Delta region aligned against foreign oil companies and the Nigerian military, has issued a new threat against oil installations in its area of operations on January 10. Via e-mail, MEND fired a proverbial shot across the bow of the oil companies and the Nigerian government. As reported by the Associated Press:”
By Clay Varney on January 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM | Permalink

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_928.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 11 2008 03:12:12 GMT-0800 (PST).

NIGERIA

October 30, 2007

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951921/posts

Police: Homeowner Shot, Beat Would-Be Burglar
http://www.theindychannel.com ^ | 1/10/2008
Posted on 01/11/2008 3:16:56 AM PST by FunkyZero

INDIANAPOLIS — A man shot and beat someone who was trying to break into his home on Indianapolis’ east side early Thursday morning, police said....

(Excerpt) Read more at theindychannel.com ...

[Cindy]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1199964896072&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(AP)

JPost.com » International » Article

Jan 11, 2008 9:57
“Japan passes anti-terror bill to revive Indian Ocean mission”
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
TOKYO

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Japan’s ruling coalition forced a bill through parliament Friday to revive a US-backed anti-terror mission in the Indian Ocean, clearing the way for Japanese ships to return to the region after a monthslong absence.”

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16365&Itemid=128

Press Release A080111a
January 11, 2008

Coalition forces capture Special Groups facilitator, disrupt criminal networks

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups facilitator early Thursday during operations to disrupt criminal element networks in the Baghdad area.

The targeted individual reportedly facilitated the training of numerous criminals in the use and construction of explosively formed penetrators in the Khan Bani Said area and in Baghdad. He was reportedly a weapons facilitator and arranged for the transportation and storage of EFPs and rocket propelled grenades. The wanted individual was also reported to be an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

Intelligence led ground forces to the target location where they captured the wanted individual without incident.

“Coalition forces welcome al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr’s cease-fire, but we will continue to target any criminal group not honoring this pledge,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Each successful operation brings us one step closer to a secure future for Iraq.”

- 30 -

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16367&Itemid=128

Press Release A080111b
January 11, 2008

Coalition targets al-Qaeda leadership, media networks; two killed, 11 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 11 suspects today and Thursday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation north of Samarra Thursday, Coalition forces targeted a suspected associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist operating in Samarra. The suspect is associated with numerous terrorist leaders operating in the Salah ah Din province, to include one who was killed during an operation Nov. 21 for his role in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Kirkuk (see MNF-I press release A071121a, “Six killed, 10 detained as Coalition forces target al-Qaeda leadership, foreign terrorist facilitators,” dated Nov. 21, 2007).

During the operation, Coalition forces confirmed the presence of the wanted individual and a supporting aircraft were called. Two armed terrorists were killed during the operation. One of the terrorists was wearing a suicide vest armed with three initiation systems. In addition to the suicide vest, the ground force also found numerous explosives and weapons in a vehicle on site, all of which were safely destroyed to prevent further use for terrorist activity.

This morning in Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted a suspected terrorist believed to be involved in al-Qaeda media and propaganda operations, and to have ties to foreign facilitation networks operating in and outside of Iraq. Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists and found numerous media materials on site.

During an operation in Mosul today, Coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists while targeting a suspected associate of the al-Qaeda senior leader for the region.

“As Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to target al-Qaeda at every level of their network, the Iraqi people are rejecting their senseless and barbaric attacks,” said Navy Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesman.

- 30 -

[Cindy]

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

#

blog:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4469.htm
(”Source: aafaq.org, January 8, 2008
http://www.aafaq.org/english/aafaq_today.aspx?id_news=122 “)

“Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Recruiting Female Suicide Bombers”

[Cindy]

ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/4513.htm

[Cindy]

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

[Cindy]

January 11, 2008

NOTE: The following text is quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/January/08_nsd_021.html

Former Officers of a Muslim Charity, Care International, Inc., Convicted

WASHINGTON - Three men, a Libyan national and two Lebanese nationals, were convicted today in federal court of conspiring to defraud the United States and engaging in a scheme to conceal information from the United States government.

Kenneth Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division; and Douglas A. Bricker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation - Boston Field Office, announced today that EMADEDDIN MUNTASSER, age 43, of Braintree, SAMIR ALMONLA, age 50, of Brookline, and MUHAMED MUBAYYID, age 42, of Shrewsbury, were each convicted by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV, of Conspiring to Defraud the United States and Engaging in a Scheme to Conceal Information from the U.S. Government. In addition, MUNTASSER was convicted of Making False Statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an interview conducted in April 2003 and MUBAYYID was convicted of three separate counts of Making and Filing False Tax Returns on behalf of Care International, Inc. (“Care International”) for tax years 1997, 1999, and 2000. MUBAYYID was also convicted of obstructing and impeding the Internal Revenue Service. AL-MONLA was acquitted on one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an interview conducted in April 2003.

“Today’s verdict is a milestone in our efforts against those who conceal their support for extremist causes behind the veil of humanitarianism. For years, these defendants used an allegedly charitable organization as a front for the collection of donations that they used to support violent jihadists. This prosecution serves notice that we will not tolerate the use of charities as a means of promoting terrorism,” said Kenneth L. Wainstein, Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said, “Today’s convictions should be a warning to organizations or persons who intend to fund their support of any militant organization or goal, including the mujahideen and jihad, by abusing our nation’s tax laws, that they will be pro actively investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The United States government requires truthful and complete information to uphold our nation’s laws.”

Douglas Bricker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Internal Revenue said, “The integrity of our tax system depends upon the honesty and accuracy of all taxpayers. IRS will vigorously investigate individuals and tax exempt organizations who fraudulently disguise their activities. While the vast majority of charities perform excellent work helping people in need, tax exempt organizations cannot be permitted to lie or generate funds for unstated or misrepresented purposes.”

Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said, “Counter terrorism is one of the FBI’s top priorities, and these convictions are the result of excellent cooperation and commitment by the team of investigators who worked tirelessly to investigate and resolve this complex case.”

Evidence presented during the 24-day trial proved that the defendants fraudulently used Care International to solicit and obtain tax deductible donations for the purpose of supporting and promoting the mujahideen (Muslim holy warriors) and jihad (violent armed conflict). The evidence demonstrated that from in or about April 1993 to April 2003, MUNTASSER, ALMONLA, and MUBAYYID, concealed the fact that Care International was an outgrowth of and successor to the Al-Kifah Refugee Center (“Al-Kifah”) and was engaged in non-charitable activities involving the solicitation and expenditure of funds to support and promote the mujahideen and jihad from the IRS, FBI, and Immigration and Naturalization Service (now known as Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Further, the government proved that MUNTASSER, AL-MONLA, and MUBAYYID conspired to defraud the United States for the purpose of impeding, impairing, interfering, and obstructing the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service in the ascertainment, assessment, and determination of whether Care International qualified and should be designated as a charitable organization pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3) in 1993 and should continue to be accorded that status thereafter.

During the trial, the government proved that in the 1990s MUNTASSER ran the Boston branch office of Al-Kifah, which was part of the Makhtab al Khidamat (“MAK”) network founded by Sheik Abdullah Azzam and another person in Peshawar, Pakistan in the 1980s to provide support to the mujahideen. MAK had offices throughout the World. In North America, MAK was known by the name Al-Kifah.

Under MUNTASSER’S leadership, Al-Kifah’s office in Boston published a pro-jihad newsletter called “Al-Hussam,” which means “The Sword” in Arabic, and distributed flyers which indicated that it supported the mujahideen on the frontlines. In these flyers as well as other fundraising materials, Al-Kifah claimed it was a tax exempt organization when in fact it was never granted such status. Shortly after media reports in March and April 1993 linked AlKifah’s Brooklyn office to Islamic militant groups, fighters in Afghanistan, and violent acts, MUNTASSER, who was then the chairman and director of Al-Kifah’s Boston office, incorporated Care International to perform the same functions of Al-Kifah under a different name. In Care International’s Articles of Incorporation, MUNTASSER stated that Care International was exclusively involved in “charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes,” when in fact it was also engaged in the solicitation and expenditure of funds to support the mujahideen and promote jihad and assumed the activities of Al-Kifah including the publication of its pro-jihad newsletter, Al-Hussam. Further, MUNTASSER intermingled the monies collected by Care International with that collected under the name Al-Kifah and transferred assets from Al-Kifah to Care International.

In June 1993, MUNTASSER sought a tax exemption for Care International from the IRS pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3) on the basis that Care International was an exclusively charitable organization. On behalf of Care International, MUNTASSER executed, under the penalties of perjury, an IRS Form 1023 Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (”1023 Application”). Although instructed to describe all current and proposed activities of Care International, when MUNTASSER completed this application, he did not disclose Care International’s current activities involving the promotion of jihad through the distribution of the Al-Hussam. Nor did he disclose an intention for Care International to solicit money for jihad or the mujahideen or to promote jihad and the mujahideen through the distribution of publications. In response to a question whether Care International was a successor to another organization on the 1023 application, MUNTASSER lied and concealed from the IRS that Care International was the successor to Al-Kifah.

From 1993 to 2003, using Care International’s fraudulently obtained tax exempt status, the defendants MUNTASSER, AL-MONLA, and MUBAYYID and other officers of Care International collected approximately $1.7 million dollars. During that period of time, the defendants each filed false annual tax filings, Forms 990, with the IRS that concealed Care International’s pro-jihad and pro-mujahideen activities and the true nature of its orphan sponsorship program. The evidence proved that in addition to publishing the pro-jihad newsletter Al-Hussam, Care International published and distributed an English translation of Sheik Abdullah Azzam’s book “ Join the Caravan;” Care International sold pro-mujahideen videotapes such as Badr al Bosna; published pro-mujahideen articles on its website from approximately 1998 to 2001; and printed and distributed solicitations for tax deductible donations to support the mujahideen from approximately 1994 to 2001.

Furthermore, the government proved that MUNTASSER made false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation during an interview conducted on April 7, 2003. MUNTASSER falsely denied ever traveling to Afghanistan when in fact he traveled to Afghanistan from approximately December 1994 to January 1995. The government presented evidence that during this visit to Afghanistan, MUNTASSER met with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, an Afghan mujahideen warlord who advocated global jihad. Testimony during trial described a pledge of support to Hekmatyar signed by defendants MUNTASSER and AL-MONLA found during an October 2001 covert search of Care International’s storage unit rented by defendant MUBAYYID. This pledge stated, in pertinent part: We those who love you in the Boston office, write to you asking for direction and looking for explanation on what you see fit and appropriate for us in matters concerning serving Jihad for the sake of Allah. . . . We are prepared to abide by your commands and we are forever in the fold of obedience and military service.

Judge Saylor scheduled sentencing hearings for the defendants on April 2rd, 3rd, and 4th, 2008. MUNTASSER, MUBAYYID and AL-MONLA each face up to 5 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each of the following counts:

(1) Engaging in a Scheme to Conceal Material Facts from the United States; and (2) Conspiring to Defraud the United States. MUNTASSER faces up to 5 yrs in prison on the False Statement counts to be followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. MUBAYYID also faces up to 3 years in prison on each of the three False Tax Return counts and the obstruction count followed by 1 year supervised release and a $100,000 fine. All three defendants were immediately ordered detained pending sentencing, with a further hearing on detention scheduled for January 18, 2008.

The case was investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys B. Stephanie Siegmann, Aloke S. Chakravarty, and Donald L. Cabell of Sullivan’s Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit.

###

08-021

[Cindy]

ADDING 1 link to post no. 495:

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/01/us_government_wins_a_terrorism.php

“U.S. Government Wins a Terrorism-Related Criminal Case”
By Andrew Cochran
(January 11, 2008, 4:18 pm)

[Cindy]

UPDATE:

http://truthusa.com/a/index.php?topic=1595.0

#

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080111/NATION04/958738459/1008

“Inside the Ring
COUGHLIN BACKED”
By Bill Gertz
January 11, 2008

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Some Pentagon and military leaders, along with lots of working-level officials, are quietly rallying to support ousted Joint Staff counterterrorism analyst Stephen Coughlin.

Pentagon officials said a number of generals and admirals who share Mr. Coughlin’s well-reasoned assessment of the Islamic law underpinnings of Islamist terror are voicing support for the lawyer and former military intelligence official.

Mr. Coughlin was fired as a Joint Staff contractor after his confrontation with Hasham Islam, a special assistant to Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, was reported here last month.

Mr. Islam, a Muslim, referred to Mr. Coughlin as a “Christian zealot with a pen” during the meeting several weeks ago, a slur rejected by Mr. Coughlin’s supporters.”

[Cindy]

Regarding Iran:

http://truthusa.com/a/index.php?topic=672.0
http://truthusa.com/a/index.php?topic=1296.0
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48643

Mullen Calls on Iran to Take Productive Role in Mideast

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2008 – Reiterating that he’d “rather prevent a war than fight one,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today called on Iran to take a productive, positive role in the Middle East and refrain from provocative behavior.

Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen also said the crews of the three Navy ships threatened by five Iranian speed boats as they transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 6 got the response “exactly right.”

“Given the overt and very threatening behavior exhibited by the Iranians, (the U.S. crews) followed procedures exactly the way they should have,” Mullen said during a Pentagon news conference today. “And though, thankfully, no shots needed to be fired, there is no doubt in my mind that shots would have been fired had the situation demanded it.”

The incident ended peacefully, with the Iranian speed boats returning to their ports.

“Our own military restraint in dealing with that problem should never be confused for lack of capability,” he said. “We’ve been operating in the Gulf for a long time, and we will continue to operate there for a long time.”

The Strait of Hormuz incident ought to remind Americans “how real the threat is from Iran and how ready we are to meet that threat if it comes to it,” the chairman said. “The problem of Iran is not, and should never be considered, purely a military problem.”

While the Iranian actions were dangerous and unprovoked, U.S. forces are prepared for the eventuality, the chairman said. U.S. planners have focused on this small, fast boat strategy for a number of years, Mullen said. U.S. forces also were ready for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s navy taking over responsibility for the Persian Gulf from the Iranian navy. The Revolutionary Guard is a radical force raised by Ayatollah Khomeini following the 1979 overthrow of the Shah of Iran and is separate from the country’s regular armed forces.

During the incident, the Iranian boats dropped boxes overboard in the path of the American warships. U.S. planners have been concerned for years about Iran mining the waters of the strategic waterway, through which 40 percent of the world’s oil flows.

“One of the messages is, we’re not anxious to see a miscalculation occur and certainly not anxious to get into combat with them. … But please do not misread restraint for lack of resolve,” he said.

Biographies:
Adm. Michael G. Mullen, USN
Related Articles:
Gates: Iranian Boats’ Actions ‘Raise Concerns’
President Warns Iran of ‘Serious Consequences’
Iranians Call Hormuz Incident ‘Normal,’ U.S. Begs to Differ

[Cindy]

http://www.welt.de/politik/article1500196/Der_Terror_kommt_aus_dem_Herzen_des_Islam.html

“Der Terror kommt aus dem Herzen des Islam”

#

http://www.westernresistance.com/blog/archives/003940.html

January 10, 2008
“Opinion: Islam and Violence (Translated from German)”

[Velveeta]

Plot to bomb the Eiffel Tower uncovered?

posted at 9:40 am on January 11, 2008 by Bryan
Send to a Friend | printer-friendly Matt Sanchez sends a link to this story in Le Monde. Google translates it as follows:
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/01/11/plot-to-bomb-the-eiffel-tower-uncovered/