05 Mar 2001 

Chicago Institute Issues World-Wide Terrorism Advisory

By: Paul Anderson 

Chicago, IL (EmergencyNet News) -- The Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI), parent of this website, today announced a world-wide terrorism advisory. A terrorism advisory is normally issued by ERRI when there is a significant increase in the actual number of terrorist events, or indicators and warnings would suggest a potential for an increased likelihood of terrorist activity in the near future. Possible terrorist targets include U.S. military bases, embassies, aircraft, and businesses -- particularly those closely associated with the United States. 

Clark Staten, ERRI Executive Director and Sr. Analyst, who has been studying and teaching about terrorism, terrorist groups, and response to terrorist incidents for more than fifteen years, said that the potential threats to the United States are "both domestic and international" and that they "can come from multiple vectors."

Staten said that some of the following factors that were given serious consideration in prompting this advisory included: 

1> The on-going trial in New York City of four alleged members Usama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization, which has revealed in testimony any number of terrorist operations allegedly undertaken Bin Laden, et al.

2> Recent revision and strengthening of U.N./U.S. sanctions against the ruling Taliban militia in Afghanistan

3> U.S. support for the nation of Israel, even during the continuing "intifada," and involving a potential for revenge by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, PFLP, or other associated extremist organizations 

4> Multiple fatwas issued by religious militants against the United States, the United Kingdom, and other allied nations

5> ERRI statistics indicate a 30% increase in recent terrorist incidents, including four significant events in England, Israel, Thailand, and India during the forty-eight (48)hours preceding this advisory

6> Continued anger in some fundamentalist communities about the continued imprisonment in U.S. jails of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, Ramzi Yousef, and several others convicted of terrorist acts

7> Possible state-sponsored terrorism, possibly carried out through deniable surrogate cells, by Iraq in revenge for the recent U.S. and U.K. bombing of military command, control, and communications sites 

8> Upcoming and significant dates of past terrorist acts, U.S. government actions, or trials:

A. March 12, 2001 - The beginning of a trial of Ahmed Ressam, an alleged Algerian terrorist, for his involvement a plot to bomb multiple sites in the United States during millennium (Y2K) celebrations

B. On April 19 - Militia recognized anniversary of the bombing the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, the fiery end of Branch Davidian Seige at Waco, TX, a shooting in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and a Revolutionary War battle

C. May 16, 2001 - Convicted Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy Mcveigh is scheduled for execution, which may prompt reaction from rightist supporters

9> An increased level of more violent activity by eco-terrorists and animal rights activists, to including a recent letter bomb campaign, aggravated battery of a British businessman, and multiple arson attacks in the United States and United Kingdom 

"We know of no specific threat against the United States or her allies at this time, but believe that we are entering a period when greater caution, preparedness, and awareness is warranted," Staten said. "Given the current tactical circumstances in the Mid-East and the ever escalating rhetoric by various militant organizations, we feel that we must urge additional caution and awareness for Americans everywhere at this time," Staten said in a statement this morning. 

Staten said that ERRI would issue a "terrorist ALERT," indicating the highest level of concern, in the event that additional information is obtained that a terrorist attack is "imminent."  

© EmergencyNet News Service, 2001. All rights reserved. May not be redistributed or otherwise published without the expressed permission of ERRI/EmergencyNet News.

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