Summary of EmergencyNet News Articles Concerning Arrests of Middle-Eastern Individuals Associated With Plots to Carry Out Year2000 Transition-related Violence

Summary of EmergencyNet News Articles Concerning Arrests of Middle-Eastern Individuals Associated With Plots to Carry Out Year2000 Transition-related Violence - 12 Dec 1999 to 17 Dec 1999

ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Friday, December 17, 1999-Vol. 5, No. 351- 09:30

JORDAN

U.S. Department Of State Issues Public Announcement

The U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Jordan to be extra careful about their security because the full dimensions of a "terrorist" threat were not yet known after the arrest of 13 suspects. On Wednesday, Jordan announced the arrest of 13 individuals believed to be planning to carry out "terrorist" operations in the kingdom. In its Public Announcement, the DoS said: "The U.S. has confidence in the Government of Jordan's ability to address this threat, however, the full dimensions of this threat are not known at this time. Americans in Jordan should pay particular attention to their security in light of the above information. American citizens should avoid large gatherings, keep a low profile, and vary routes and times of all required travel."

ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Thursday, December 16, 1999-Vol. 5, No. 350-09:00CST

JORDAN

Jordanians Say They Arrested Terrorism Suspects With Links To Bin Laden

A senior Jordanian source said on Thursday that a group of 13 "terrorism" suspects arrested in Jordan make up a sophisticated cell linked to Usama bin Laden that was planning year-end attacks on tourist and other sites across the kingdom. The source said: "They are graduates of the academy of terrorism in Afghanistan linked to bin Laden. They are a serious, sophisticated group that is well connected."

Jordan said on Wednesday it had arrested 11 Jordanian nationals, an Iraqi and an Algerian who were planning "terrorist" attacks in the kingdom after training with weapons and explosives in Afghanistan. Their arrests, as well as the arrest of one person in Pakistan, were one of the reasons why Washington issued a worldwide warning on Saturday to Americans about a terrorist threat.

The Jordanian source said the arrests were made over the last few days. He said: "We are very satisfied that our security forces uncovered them at an early stage in the planning." Asked about the nature of the targets, the source said: "All kinds of targets, tourist and other, in several areas of Jordan...and they planned to attack by the end of the year."

A U.S. official said that the arrests in Jordan were not the only ones in connection with suspected threats in recent weeks, and arrests "have taken place in other places." The official said the other arrests were mainly in the Middle East but declined to name the countries where they were made or say how many there were. A purposefully unidentified source, close to the investigation, told EmergencyNet News that as many as 24 individuals have been arrested in several different countries in regard to possible involvement in one or more plots to carry out Year2000 associated violence.

ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Tuesday, December 14, 1999-Vol. 5, No. 348-08:30CST

UNITED STATES

Terrorist Cell Planning Attack On U.S. Interests; Arrested In Middle East

U.S. officials said on Monday night that members of a suspected terrorist cell have been arrested in an unidentified Middle Eastern country, accused of planning attacks against Americans. The unnamed official source said the investigation is still ongoing, and further details would compromise operations. But the official said the alleged attack was intended to coincide with New Year's celebrations overseas and prompted a U.S. State Department warning to Americans overseas during the holiday season.

The U.S. official and others would not say how many people had been arrested as part of the operation, the cell members apprehended were said to be connected to master terrorist Usama bin Laden. The official saidthe arrests were made because the group was believed to be connected to a threat against Americans that officials already had deemed "credible."

ABC News reported on Monday that possible targets for the attacks were "Christian sites on New Year's Eve," mentioning sites in Jerusalem and even the Vatican as possible targets. However, officials familiar with the investigation could not confirm this, saying information on potential targets was "not all that specific."

ERRI senior national security analyst Clark Staten observed: "Reports of the arrest of several suspects for their involvement in plots to carry out terrorist attacks during the transition to the year 2000 would seem to validate our (ERRI) previously issued 13 Nov 1999 terrorism advisory."

"But, our most current analysis, however, would suggest that these arrests are not the end of this story," Staten continued. He added: "While yesterday's arrests are certainly commendable and may have prevented some of the potential carnage, we still have reason to believe that there will be further attempts to carry out multiple terrorist attacks on multiple targets, set to coincide with millennium celebrations, simultaneously."

Staten also said, "It remains our belief that those associated with terror master-mind Usama Bin laden have chosen the month of Ramadan, and the end of this century, as a significant time to carry out attacks on America and her allies throughout the world. We would urge great caution and preparedness on the part of American citizens, embassies, military bases, and corporations closely associated with the United States, as this century draws to a close and the new one begins."

ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Sunday, December 12, 1999-Vol. 5, No. 346-10:00CST

UNITED STATES

U.S. State Department Issues New Worldwide Caution

Citing "credible information that terrorists are planning attacks," the U.S. Department of State on Saturday issued a worldwide caution to its citizens travelling abroad through the start of the New Year and Ramadan. In a statement, the DoS said that it had information indicating attacks "could be planned for locations throughout the world where large gatherings and celebrations will be taking place."

The Public Announcement urged U.S. citizens travelling or living abroad "to review their security practices, to remain alert to the changing situation and to exercise caution." It also said that American citizens should "avoid large crowds and gatherings, keep a low profile, and vary routes and times of all required travel."

The State Department said this most recent warning replaces one issued last month urging travelers to be alert to potential actions of the Taleban, an Islamic movement that controls 90 percent of Afghanistan. State Department spokesman James Foley said in a statement he could not provide additional information on the department's latest warning of terrorist threats.

09:30CST - 13 Nov 1999 - Chicago Emergency Institute Issues Worldwide Terrorism Advisory

February 10, 1999 - Terrorism and Millennium Madness?

The Emergency Response & Research Institute Year2000(Y2K) Resource Page

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