Politicians on al Qaeda hit list, says report

CTV.ca ^ | Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 | Staff

[canuck_conservative]

Reports this morning suggest high-profile politicians in Canada and the United States might be on an al Qaeda assassination list.

A report in the National Post says new intelligence obtained by the Canadian Security Intelligence Serve, the FBI and CIA is causing concerns about the safety of top political figures in North America.

Sources said the information suggests organized cells operating in Canada and the U.S. with links to the al Qaeda terrorist network are preparing to assassinate prominent politicians on both sides of the border.

David Harris, the former chief of strategic planning at CSIS, told CTV's Newsnet that there is only so much North America can do to plan for an attack.

"We're an open free society. We know we're infiltrated by some al Qaeda operatives, so again, there are limits on what we can do," he said.

"We just have to rely on intelligence and stay alert as citizens so that we can help everybody out as well as ourselves."

The news comes on the heels of two new recordings, supposedly by Osama bin Laden, in the last two days. In the most recent one, he allegedly predicts his own death in an unspecified act of martyrdom against the U.S. next year.

"In this final year I hurl myself and my steed with my soul at the enemy. Indeed on my demise I will become a martyr," the al Qaeda leader purportedly says.

"I pray my demise isn't on a coffin bearing green mantles. I wish my demise to be in the eagle's belly," he continues, possibly using the word "eagle" to refer to the United States.

The British-based Al-Ansaar news agency said that the 53-minute tape was allegedly recorded this month and acquired from a seller who advertised over the Internet.

On Wednesday, another tape broadcast by the al-Jazeera television network, also believed to have been made by bin Laden, calls on all Muslims to defend Iraq by carrying out suicide bombings.

But the U.S. is not the only target bin Laden has named in his many taped recordings in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

A tape in November, confirmed by CSIS as that of the accused terrorist mastermind, named Canada among several nations as being a target because of its participation in the war on terror in Afghanistan. Canadian troops will reenter Kabul in late summer.

"As you kill you will be killed and as you bomb you will be bombed," bin Laden said in the Nov. 12 tape. "Do your governments not know the White House gang are the biggest butchers of he century?"

[canuck_conservative]

I was debating whether to post this, because I didn't want to ad to the hysteria already out there, but I figure FR readers are mature enough and gutsy enough to take it in stride.

Couldn't find online the NP article referred to. But CTV.ca is turning into an viable Canadian alternative to CNN - they're pretty quick with the updates, and often have stories and details that I don't see on Ted's baby.

[LibWhacker]

Nowwwwwwwwwwww maybe those liberal politicians will see the wisdom of internment. Wouldn't lift a finger to save their constituents. But now? Your guess is as good as mine.

[Feckless]

Attention Al Qaeda:
T-e-d-d-y.... old and fat so he'll be easy to catch. So alcohol soaked you'll get secondaries like a fuel tanker going up in a Mel Gibson movie.
Speaking of movies, Americans would be even more broken up if you went after Ed Asner, Susan Sarandon, any Baldwin, etc....

[Alberta's Child]

What is most disgraceful about this whole angle is that the assassination of a single U.S. member of Congress would generate a far more devastating response from the U.S. than the deaths of 3,000 people on 9/11 did.

Which is why some Americans may be secretly rooting for al-Qaeda on this one.

[mombonn]

I wish my demise to be in the eagle's belly,"

Well, osama baby, I wish your demise to be in a pig's belly. Sooner rather than later.

[Migraine]

I dunno. Canadians may find some sense of self-importance in lumping their politicians in the same risky arena as their American counterparts. But the fact is, the rags are not gonna target Germans, Dutch, Swiss, French NOR Canadian politicians, as these are all important fodder for their propaganda war machine and they would not risk losing those sources. The rags want Americans, Israelis, Brits and Aussies (i.e., those nations which still have some cajones).

[Koblenz]

Take out two R senators from states with D governors and then the anti-war party will be in the majority...

[tiki]

He's telling the truth! Oh, what a tragedy if our beloved Susan had even one hair on her head disturbed and please don't hurt Barbara Streisand, she's a national treasure and very helpful, knowledgable and intuitive in the political arena. Most of our domestic and foreign policy could not be made without her.

[Interesting Times]

"As you kill you will be killed and as you bomb you will be bombed," bin Laden said in the Nov. 12 tape. "Do your governments not know the White House gang are the biggest butchers of he century?"

Since bin Laden isn't an American citizen he can't seek the Democratic presidential nomination, but he'd fit in pretty well in Hollywood.

[justshutupandtakeit]

But don't the widders inherit those seats? It's in the Constitution somewhere I think. :^)

[Billthedrill]

Some of my favorite politicians would take an elephant gun to put down, and you wouldn't want to wound 'em. Can you imagine having to go into a dark saloon with Teddy Kennedy trumpeting in the background?

[monocle]

If they truly hope to strike fear in our hearts, they would announce that all politicians are on their protected list.

[tracer]

The Clintons have nothing to worry about -- the guys in al Qaeda are strong believers in professional courtesy.....

[tracer]

We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.....

[tracer]

"Well, osama baby, I wish your demise to be in a pig's belly. Sooner rather than later."

Pig's belly? I surely would go further than that....

[Destructor]

Time to send those b*****ds a copy of OUR "hit list."

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Secretly?

If I had the address I'd send him pictures of my congresstrash and senators. They are far more of a menace to America than Bin Baby.

[Gritty]

Attention Al Qaeda: T-e-d-d-y.... old and fat so he'll be easy to catch.

I like your style! Let me pile on and add a few more:

T-o-m-m-y.... he's awfully short and hard to see in a crowd, but follow the simpering, smarmy, lying voice in front of the nearest TV camera and you'll have him.

S-c-h-m-u-c-k-i-e-.... just follow the largest trail of hot air. Only his body guards will be armed.

H-i-l-l-a-r-y.... look for the guy with the horns, tail and pitchfork and you'll find her hanging on his left arm.

N-a-n-c-y.... look for a space alien type character with eyebrows resembling rubber bands and carrying a bullwhip. If she's not in Washington, you should check the bath-houses in San Fransicko!

Good Luck!, bin-Baby!

[Made In The USA]

People around me wondering what all the laughing was about. "...so alcohol soaked you'll get secondaries like a fuel tanker in a Mel Gibson movie." Classic! Thanks, made my day.

[YOMO]

Is that a quote from Teddy Kennedy??????