Counter-Terrorism Page III
Terrorism: Asia - Chronological Order
18 Feb 2005
Could Thailand’s terrorism spread?
"...the government is still very far behind in building up preparedness to prevent and deal with potential large-scale terrorist attacks..."
THAILAND: Thailand's first car bomb killed six and injured more than 40 on Thursday evening near a hotel in the border town of Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat. And with it Islamic militants have delivered the unmistakable message that no one in this country, regardless of religious faith, will be spared in their ruthless quest to achieve their political objectives.
Chief among their stated objectives is the creation of an Islamic homeland encompassing Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, where the overwhelming majority are Muslim Thais of Malay descent. Insurgents seem to be willing to stop at absolutely nothing to achieve this, instigating communal violence and racial hatred in a nation where people of diverse ethnicities and religious faiths have lived in harmony for centuries.
The use of a car bomb in a crowded street in Sungai Kolok signifies a change in tactics as well as a rise in the level of sophistication in terrorist attacks and the possibility of a link to international terrorism. Read more about it, click here to visit the article at Asia News Network: http://www.asianewsnet.net/level3_template3.php?l3sec=7&news_id=36227
ERRI analysts
correctly assessed this emerging insurgency in Thailand many months ago and
broke this story for our readers. Despite denials by any number of
diplomatic sources, both within Thailand and in Washington, we persisted in
our estimate and have been proven absolutely correct.
16 Jan 2003
Al-Qaeda Planned Multiple Suicide Bombings for Singapore
By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst in Australia
SINGAPORE: A confidential report obtained by the Associated
Press said that al-Qaeda planned a series of suicide bombings to be
carried out in the Philippines two years ago, but was forced to move the
terrorist operation to Singapore because of tight security at the U.S. and
Israeli embassies in Manila.
A western intelligence report shared with the Philippine government
detailed the plot directed by Kuwaiti-born Canadian al-Qaeda member
Mohammad Mansour Jabarah. He had obtained explosives and weapons for
multiple suicide attacks against the U.S. and Israeli embassies, but
decided to move the operation to Singapore because the buildings housing
the embassies were too far from the roadway for a suicide vehicle to
access them.
In October 2001 Jabarah then chose seven alternate targets in Singapore,
including the embassies belonging to the U.S., Israel, Britain and
Australia.
Singaporean authorities arrested thirteen members of the three al-Qaeda
cells chosen to carry out the attack last year. Jabarah was later arrested
in Oman, where he revealed the full extent of the operation to his
interrogators.
Al-Qaeda operative and
Jemaah Islamiyah chief Riduan Isamuddin (a.k.a Hambali) liaised with
Jabarah on numerous occasions, supplying him with the contact details of
the Asian operatives recruited for the terrorist operation in Singapore.
Included in his list of contacts was al-Qaeda member Faiz Bin Abu Bakar
Bafana, who was detained in Singapore and Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, an
Indonesian bomb expert and Jemaah Islamiyah leader who was convicted
of
explosive charges in the Philippines.
According to the Associated Press report, in January 2000 when Jabarah
arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a meeting with regional terrorist
leaders, al-Ghozi had already obtained 4 tons of
ammonium nitrate and 300 kilograms (720 pounds) of TNT for the operation.
Recently, Al-Ghozi admitted to helping plan the 19 near-simultaneous
bombings in
Manila during the holidays in 2000, that killed 22 people.
09:00CST/21:00 local time in Dhaka, Bangladesh - 07 Dec 2002
Multiple Simultaneous Explosions Reported in N. Bangladesh
From the ERRI/EmergencyNet News Watchdesk
Mymensingh, Bangladesh (Emergencynet News) -- At least three cinemas in this northern Bangladeshi town have been struck by explosions today. Numerous casualties are being reported as the movie were filled by people celebrating the Islamic Eid-ul-Fitr festival at the end of Ramadan. It is being reported that at least ten people are dead and more than one hundred may have been wounded. Rescue efforts are reported to be underway at this time, and local emergency personnel say that the death and injury toll is expected to rise.
According to fragmentary and early reports from the region, all of the
explosions happened within minutes of each other, a little after 18:00
local time. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the
blasts, nor cause firmly established. Unconfirmed suspicions immediately
fell on radical Muslim militants, who have previously attacked movie
theatres, because they believe movie attendance to be a sacrilege to
Islam.
Designation of a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Secretary
Colin L. Powell
Washington, DC
October 23, 2002
The United
States is taking several important steps today as part of our continuing
efforts to combat global terrorism. I am announcing the designation of the
Jemaah Islamiya organization (JI), which was founded by Abdullah
Sungkar, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. I am also announcing the
designation of JI under Executive Order 13224.
In addition to these
actions, the United States will join Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea,
Thailand, Timor Leste (East Timor), and other partners around the world to
ask the relevant United Nations sanctions committee to include JI on its
consolidated list of individuals and entities the assets of which member
states are required to freeze in accordance with UN Security Council
Resolutions 1267 and 1390. This joint referral to the UN sanctions committee
is a powerful signal that the countries of Southeast Asia will not tolerate
terrorism on their territory and that they are committed to working with the
international community to put a stop to wanton acts of terror.
Click here to get the entire story from the U.S. State Department...
28 Feb 2002
US CINCPAC Wants More Resources To Fight Terror
WASHINGTON: The commander in chief of US forces in the Pacific has asked Congress for 5,000 more counterterrorism experts while recommending that lawmakers lift restrictions on military cooperation with violence-torn Indonesia. In a sweeping overview of the security situation in the region, US CINCPAC Admiral Dennis Blair promised on Wednesday an assertive strategy to combat the terrorist threat wherever it existed. Blair told two House subcommittees, which handle Pacific, Asian and Middle Eastern Affairs: "We cannot provide adequate protection to our citizens and our forces while only playing defense."
Blair pointed out that the events of 9/11 and the subsequent anti-terrorism operations around the world had created new manpower requirements. The new counterterrorism experts would participate in increased shore and harbor security patrols, operate regional command and control facilities and take part in crisis action teams. The request came as the Pentagon sent to the Philippines six more military helicopters and a team of aviation experts in a boost of the US military presence in the southern part of the country.
The admiral praised the government in Manila for its security cooperation
with Washington but warned that the war against Abu Sayyaf, "will not be won
by military operations alone." He said: "Improvements in law enforcement,
intelligence, economics, business, information, media, academia, community
leadership and religion will have enduring and important roles in the
battle." Blair warned that Indonesia, beset by separatist and sectarian
violence, is "vulnerable to terrorist penetration." He added: "With many
challenges on its plate, and diminishing resources, Indonesia's security
apparatus does not have full control of its borders. Moreover, Indonesia has
not aggressively investigated domestic elements that are sympathetic to the
aims of al-Qaeda..."
22 Jan 2002
China Claims Bin Laden Connections With Uighur Militants
CHINA: Claiming publicly for the first time that the terror network led by Usama bin Laden had supplied violent groups in the region with money, arms and leadership, China attempted again to link its fight against ethnic separatists in northwest Xinjiang province to the international war on terrorism. In a 15-page report posted on the Internet, the government blamed separatist forces in the largely Muslim region for more than 200 explosions, assassinations and other attacks over the past 11 years that have killed 162 people and injured more than 440. The report included unusually detailed accounts of attacks on local officials, police and Muslim leaders who support Beijing.
Since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the
Chinese government has released an unusually large amount of information
about Uighur violence, and Chinese diplomats have tried to convince foreign
visitors that as many as 1,000 Chinese Muslims have trained in bin Laden's
terrorist camps in Afghanistan. Some analysts argue that the government is
exaggerating the threat posed by separatists in Xinjiang, which is sometimes
called East Turkistan. The report said China has arrested more than 100
terrorists in Xinjiang who received training abroad, and has taken custody
of at least a dozen others captured outside the country.
06 Jan 2002
Cyanide Letter Sent To US Embassy Wellington
NEW ZEALAND: Local media reported that a letter laced with cyanide was sent to US Embassy Wellington, prompting security fears for Tiger Woods at this week's New Zealand Golf Open. The Sunday Star-Times newspaper said the letter, sent this week, contained industrial strength cyanide and also carried a threat to disrupt the visit of the world's number one player. The newspaper said the letter to the embassy was sent from within New Zealand.
The 26-year-old Woods is scheduled to arrive in New Zealand on Tuesday for Thursday's tournament start. Police assistant commissioner Jon White on Saturday said a letter was at the center of sharply heightened security surrounding Woods' visit. He also warned people to be particularly careful around food and catering at the New Zealand Golf Open at Paraparaumu Beach. White urged people to be vigilant even when traveling to the course for the event, and to report anything suspicious.
A large police presence has been ordered to protect the tournament,
rather than private security guards. In New Zealand cyanide, which comes in
either a paste or powder, can only be bought with a government permit. It is
mostly used to kill small pests and in gold extraction.
27 Dec 2001
INDIA/PAKISTAN/KASHMIR:
Situation Described as "Grave"; Both India and Pakistan on "Hair-Trigger Alert"
[Terror Group Reference: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM)]
New Delhi, India -- Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes described on Thursday the situation on the India-Pakistan border as "grave," and said the deployment of troops along the border will be completed in two to three days. Fernandes said that despite the troop deployment, India will wait for any "positive result" in placing diplomatic pressure on Islamabad to rein in Pakistan-based Islamic rebel groups. India's Cabinet Committee on Security was meeting Thursday to outline the next course of action against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, news reports say that Islamabad has put all its airports on high alert and installed anti-aircraft guns. In case of war, the Pakistan Air Force will take charge of all civilian airports. Pakistan's Navy has also started aerial monitoring of coastal areas.
Pakistan on Thursday banned two Islamic rebel groups named by India for a terrorist attack on the Indian parliament on 13 December. India blames Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) for the raid that left 14 people dead, including all five attackers. Islamabad's move followed a decision by the U.S. State Department Wednesday to add both the LET and JEM to its official terrorists list.
It is not clear if Pakistan's latest action can reduce the tension with India as the two nuclear rival neighbors appear to be on the brink of a military conflict. Troops on both sides of the border are on high alert and missiles are in position. Intermittent firing from both sides has been going on for several days in Kashmir.
18 Dec 2001
INDIA/PAKISTAN/KASHMIR:
Govt. "Discussing War" In Response to Attack on Indian Parliament
India's prime minister said on Wednesday that the government is
"discussing war," as well as diplomacy, as a response to last week's suicide
attack on Parliament, that it blames on Pakistan-based militants. Atal
Bihari Vajpayee told India's Parliament that Pakistani officials know there
are forces within Pakistan that are taking part in terrorism in India. He
repeated India's demand that it crack down on them. India says all five
attackers were Pakistanis and that the neighboring country's intelligence
service sponsored the attack. Pakistan has denied the charge. ERRI analysts
said today that they are increasingly concerned that Al-Qaeda and Taliban
combatants, having fled Afghanistan, may choose the Kashmir region as their
next destination.
17 Dec 2001
TODAY'S CENTRAL FOCUS:
India Warns Its Patience Is Running Out
Terror Group Reference: Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM),
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)
By Steve Macko, ERRI Risk Analyst
NEW DELHI, INDIA -- Police in India have brought charges against a suspected Kashmiri militant who is accused of masterminding last week's suicide attack on the Indian parliament in the capital New Delhi which left 13 people dead. Mohammad Afzal, who was arrested in the Kashmir city of Srinagar, is said to be a member of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) separatist group and could face the death penalty if, as expected, he is further charged under new anti-terrorist legislation.
New Delhi Police Commissioner Ajay Raj Sharma, who announced the charges, also accused Pakistan's main intelligence service (ISI) of involvement in the attack and suggested Pakistan's military government must have been aware of its planning. Pakistan has denied involvement and warned India against overreacting.
The police commissioner said that Afzal, who along with his wife was charged on 15 counts including conspiracy, was trained by the ISI. Sharma also said that the five attackers were Pakistani citizens. They all were killed in the raid. The attack on parliament was allegedly a combined operation carried out by two Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant groups, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LT). According to the police commissioner: "It now seems the ISI ordered the Jaish and Laskar-e-Taiba to launch a combined attack."
Police say two of four people detained in connection with the attack were trained by the ISI in Pakistani- administered Kashmir. Sharma said that those questioned by police had not actually confessed that the Pakistani government knew about the plot, which officials believe was planned some three or four months ago.
On Monday, it was being reported that the suspected ringleader of the attack has told police that one of the five Pakistani terrorists killed during the suicide attack was also involved in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane two years ago. The man -- known as Mohammed or Sunny Ahmed Qazi -- is believed to have stabbed to death a honeymooner on the ill-fated Indian Airlines plane bound for Kandahar in December 1999.
New Delhi is increasing pressure on Islamabad to act against Kashmiri separatists which operate in Indian- administered Kashmir. The Indian government itself is under pressure from internal groups and the media which accuse it of taking a soft approach toward Pakistan. On Saturday, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee warned that India had now reached the limits of its tolerance. He said: "We cannot tolerate such attacks any more."
Home Minister LK Advani said India would wait "for a few days" for
Pakistan to take action against the militants. But Pakistan has responded to
the escalating Indian rhetoric with a warning that it is ready to retaliate
if India takes action against them.
TODAY'S CENTRAL FOCUS
Terrorist Attack On Indian Parliament
A suicide squad of terrorists attacked the Parliament building in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, leaving at least 13 people dead. A suicide bomber, who detonated explosives strapped to his waist, and four gunmen lost their lives in the attack and a resulting shootout with security forces. India is racked by separatist and communal violence, but this is the first time such an attack has been launched on the heavily guarded parliamentary complex.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though initial speculation turned to Islamic militants fighting against Indian rule in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, where 38 people were killed in a suicide attack on the state assembly two months ago. Asked who might be behind the attack, Home Minister Lal Advani said: "It may be one of the organizations which have been active in the country. Ever since this practice of suicide terrorism has been developed, anything can be attacked."
Witnesses said six people, one the suicide bomber, stormed the complex, killing at least seven people. Witnesses said five attackers stormed through the complex firing automatic weapons and throwing grenades at about 1145 hours local time, soon after both houses of Parliament adjourned. Gunshots were heard for about an hour. Doctors at a nearby hospital said at least five security guards and a worker were killed.
Star News said the heavily armed attackers drove onto the parliamentary grounds in a vehicle with a fake pass. One deputy said she had been told by police that the vehicle, laden with unexploded explosives, was still inside the complex.
Hundreds of troops in full battle gear took up positions around the parliament, sealing off the area as security forces throughout Delhi and around the nation were put on red alert.
Analysts said if Thursday's raid was by Kashmir separatists, India
could launch a counter-attack across the Line of Control into
Pakistani-held territory, raising the risk of a dangerous confrontation
between the nuclear-capable neighbors. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan
of arming and funding Islamic militants fighting against Indian rule in
Kashmir. Islamabad denies the charge.
08:00CST/19:30 New Delhi time - 13 Dec 2001
Twelve Dead, More than 20 Wounded in Assault on Indian Parliament
New Delhi, India (EmergencyNet News) -- In what Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee called "a warning to the entire nation," five armed men attacked the Indian Parliament building at about 11:30 local time on Thursday. Indian government officials told the BBC that all five gunmen had been killed, along with six police officers and a gardener. A specific motive for the attack remains unclear at the time of this report and no group has admitted carrying out the attack.
But, Indian authorities hypothesize that the attack was undertaken by Kashmiri militants, some of whom may have ties to Usama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, other counter-terrorism analysts said. At least one analyst today said that the attack may an attempt to further escalate tensions between Pakistan and India. The entire matter remains under official investigation and allegation of "lax security" are already being made by some legislators. EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events in India closely and will provide additional details if/when they become available...
*****
01:00CST/12:30 New Delhi time - 13 Dec 2001
Terrorist Attack on Indian Parliament Being Reported
New Delhi, India (EmergencyNet News) -- Early and as yet unconfirmed
reports are coming in to EmergencyNet News in regard to an armed attack on
the Indian Parliament building. Circumstances there are described by
eye-witnesses as "chaotic and fluid." Unconfirmed reports say that five
armed men tried to storm the Parliament facilities and that numerous shots
were fired and explosions heard in the vicinity. The number of injuries or
deaths is not known at the time of this report...
06 Dec 2001
WORLD-WIDE INTELLIGENCE:
Al-Qaeda Reportedly Planned More Aviation-related Attacks in Britain, Australia, and India
Authorities in India said a man detained on suspicion of being linked to the criminal Usama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network has confessed to planning suicide attacks in Britain, Australia and India. Indian Home Minister LK Advani said: "We arrested this person about a month ago in Bombay and he made some very shocking confessions." He said the man had trained as a pilot in both Britain and Australia and that his confession revealed a global conspiracy by al-Qaeda to carry out further acts similar to the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.
According to a report in the British Daily Telegraph newspaper, the man confessed to being part of an al-Qaeda cell which had checked in at a London airport on 11 September for two flights bound for Manchester. They had planned to hijack the planes and crash them into the Houses of Parliament and London's Tower Bridge, but when news of the attacks in the United States came through they panicked and fled.
Meanwhile, the Australian government has confirmed that a man arrested in India a month ago with suspected bin Laden links had indeed learned how to fly in Australia. It is not yet clear if he is the same man. The authorities in India have not named the suspect, but according to Indian news reports he is Mohammed Afroz, a resident of Bombay, who is said to have spent considerable sums of money training as pilot abroad. The man confessed that al-Qaeda was planning to use India as a base from which to launch attacks on Britain, Australia and the Indian parliament.
ERRI analyst Jeremy Zakis, reporting from Australia, says that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) confirmed on Thursday that it was investigating links between a man arrested in Bombay last month on suspicion of being a terrorist, and claims that he received pilot training in Australia. According to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, the arrested man confessed to planning suicide attacks for Australian and British targets, but did not say how far his planning had progressed.
Downer told ABC radio, "He has done pilot training apparently in Australia and in Britain so presumably the type of suicide attack he was contemplating was using aircraft...whether of course, he would have ever gone ahead with it, one doesn't know...".
Australian intelligence officials announced there were no specific
threats against Australia at this time and authorities would work to
determine if the arrested man's claims were true. Since the September 11
attacks, Australia has remained on a higher-than-normal state of alert after
being considered a target for terrorism when it invoked allegiance to the US
through the ANZUS treaty. General security precautions include full ID
check's at military bases, tighter security patrols at airports and the
tougher screening of illegal immigrants.
12 August 2001
INDIA:
ERRI Issues Terrorism Advisory For New Delhi and Surrounding Region
NEW DELHI, INDIA (EmergencyNet News) The Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI - parent of this website) today issued a terrorism advisory concerning the possibility of impending terrorist attacks in India during the next 72 hours.
The primary threat is believed associated with the Indian Independence Day that occurs on 15 August. This advisory is issued based on unspecified threats and OSINT reports concerning potential attacks by Kashmiri extremist groups, to include but not limited to; the Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashker-e Toiba, Al-Badr or others. The threatened actions also include a possible assassination attempt on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, according to local police sources.
Indian security services are already said to be on "high alert" in regard
to this possible threat and have undertaken extensive security measures in
New Delhi and surrounding states. U.S. citizens living in or visiting New
Delhi should maintain a high state of awareness and caution during this
period, and avoid large crowds. Visitors are also advised to report
suspicious packages to appropriate authorities, and vary their normal travel
routes. ERRI counter-terrorist analysts know of no specific threat to U.S.
citizens at the time of this report, but a "terrorist alert" may be issued,
should additional information become available...
Sunday 04 March 2001
THAI PRIME MINISTER IN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst
A senior security adviser to Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he believed
"some sort of incendiary device" was responsible for an explosion and fire that destroyed a Boeing 737-400 jet being prepared for the Prime Minister at Bangkok airport on Saturday. The explosion killed one crewmember and wounded four others.
Police General Prasarn Wongwai said in a statement: "Looking at the wreckage, the source of explosion came from where the Prime Minister was supposed to be seated... I believe the bomb should be the white phosphorus type." Wongwai told reporters that Thaksin had a "clue" who might have been involved, but he declined to elaborate further fearing he may put extra pressure on investigators.
Thaksin was due to fly on the chartered Thai Airways plane from Bangkok to the northern city of Chiang Mai with 148 other passengers.
Officials said the explosion occurred 35 minutes before the aircraft was due to leave, while Thaksin was in transit to the airport. Part of his security team was already at the terminal and witnessed the blast. An unidentified airline source told a Thai newspaper that the blast had occurred under seats 11A and 11B, where Thaksin and his son,
Phanthongthae, were supposed to sit.
The fire destroyed the aircraft and forced an evacuation of nearby terminal buildings. Fire crews told reporters that damage to the plane indicated the fire had been caused by something other than aviation fuel.
Thailand's "The Nation" newspaper quoted a police source as saying the bomb was possibly linked to Thaksin's pledge to crack down on drug smuggling, largely blamed on drug lords in neighboring Myanmar (Burma). Last month, after his Thai Rak Thai (Thai Love Thai) party won the general elections, Thaksin told reporters that his government's top priority would be to curb the "rampant" drug trade.
Thaksin later told a local radio station that he believed the explosion was the work of "insiders" who knew his flight schedule. The Prime Minister later flew to Chiang Mai by military transport plane.
Thailand is currently involved in a border conflict with the Burmese Army and occasional insurgency involving Burmese ethnic groups across the border. The U.S. Department of State issued a Public Announcement on February 15 of this year advising U.S. citizens to exercise caution while travelling near the border regions. Terrorism in Thailand consists mainly of low-level bombings and kidnapping's.
27 Dec 2000
KAZAKHSTAN:
Islamic Movement Said To Threaten Central Asian Stability
Kazak authorities are said to be concerned that the south of the country is on the brink of being dragged into a conflict with Islamic militants. Kazak neighbors Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have been victim to armed incursions by members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) for two consecutive years.
The increasing extremist activity has alarmed the Kazak Security Council. Council secretary Marat Tajin said: "There is every reason to expect a worsening of the situation on the southern border of the region in the spring and summer of next year (2001)..."
RUSSIA/TAJIKISTAN:
Russia To Reportedly Deploy 50,000 Troops to Tajik-Afghan Border.
A source in the Russian Defense Ministry said that 50,000 troops will be sent to Tajikistan in the spring of 2001, after which the Russian air force will conduct preventive bombing strikes against Taliban camps near the Afghan-Tajik border.
The plan of this operation has been developed by a special team under the leadership of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Ivanov and, on the whole, has been reportedly approved by President Vladimir Putin.
According to the source's information, Ivanov's team
explains the need for this operation by the fact that the anti-Taliban
coalition forces have now been practically defeated. The Taliban regime
recently announced its withdrawal from peace negotiations with the armed
opposition. In the Russian Security Council Secretary's opinion, all of
this threatens political stability in the Central Asian republics, first
and foremost -- in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan...
09:00CST - 22 Dec 2000
GUAM:
Threat Of Chemical Terrorist Attack Reported; ERRI also Receives Threat Message
It was reported on Thursday that the Airport Authority and the governor's office of the U.S. territory of Guam have received an e-mail warning that there will be a terrorist chemical attack on Guam on 24 December, involving the use of nerve gas and targeting hotels, restaurants and public places. The e-mail came from an unidentified group claiming to represent master terrorist Osama bin Laden. The e-mail message also said that the attack was meant to "teach a lesson to the U.S. government ... not to harm the Afghan people and its allies" and added that there will be another nerve gas attack on 1 January 2001 if the first warning is ignored.
The webmaster of the ERRI (this) website also received a e-mail threat, relating to Osama Bin Laden, on 20 Dec 2000. The threat directed at ERRI said, "Stop messing with Osama bin laden or I will do something serious to you that you will never forget." ERRI turned the threat letter over to the appropriate authorities for further analysis.
The veracity of both threats could not be verified at
the time of this report, but Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI)
analysts are urging additional caution and awareness for Americans during
the coming holiday season. Particularly those traveling overseas are
warned to avoid crowds, vary their routes of travel, check vehicles before
starting them, and remain constantly aware of their surroundings. Please
report suspicious persons or events to the proper authorities....
24 July 2000
AUSTRALIA:
Lead Focus
Australia Deports Six Immigrants with "Terrorist Links"
By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst in Australia
According to local media reports on Monday, six people with links to terrorism were deported from Australia during the past 12 months. Citing senior counter-terrorism officials, two deportees were linked to middle eastern terrorist groups, two were linked to the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and one to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka. A sixth individual was deported after Australian authorities discovered he was under surveillance by an unnamed foreign security service for links to terrorism.
An official, who wasn’t named, said that the inclusion of terrorists amongst regular migrants reflected "the changing immigration patterns."
"I couldn’t say... that any of them were demonstrably here to carry out terrorism. But the fact they’ve got links to (terrorism) means this country doesn’t want them," the official said.
Olympic security Commander Paul McKinnon wasn’t briefed on the deportations, an indication according to some officials, that those deported were of no significant threat to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games...
14 July 2000
UNITED STATES:
DoS Says South Asia Breeding Ground For Terrorists
According to a U.S. State Department assessment, dozens of terrorist organizations and narcotics smugglers are moving into South Asia, where political instability allows them to flourish. Government experts say that the development has fundamentally altered the terrorist threat posed to the United States and its allies. Islamic extremists fighting in Chechnya, Lebanon, Kosovo, Algeria and Kashmir, together with international terrorist groups, are using Afghanistan as a training ground and headquarters. Terrorist groups, including those with ties to Usama bin Laden, allegedly operate with the implicit support of government officials in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Ambassador Michael Sheehan, coordinator for
counter-terrorism at the DoS, said: "Afghanistan has become the
primary swamp for terrorism, harboring terrorists from the region and
around the world. This shift is one of the most important recent trends we
have identified in terrorism..."
04 Mar 2000 - From
http://www.emergency.com/ennday.htm
AUSTRALIA:
Security Agencies Assess Possibility Of Terrorist Attack During Olympics As "Low"
It was reported on Thursday that Australian intelligence and security agencies have identified groups linked to international terrorist Usama bin Laden as posing the biggest potential threat during the Olympics. The sources however stressed that thesecurity agencies had assessed a "low" risk of an attack by bin Laden-funded terrorists.
Australian Intelligence and security officers, with cooperation from international agencies, have reportedly traced bin Laden's links to Australia and across Southeast Asia in efforts to assess, and minimize, the risk to the upcoming Olympic Games in Sydney. Sources told The Age newspaper that Australian security agencies have established that bin Laden has contacts throughout Australia, the Philippines and Thailand.
A security source said: "Assessments have been made that a terrorist attack in Sydney is highly unlikely -- it is a very low probability. But if one does occur, the evidence suggests it is most likely to result from Islamic militant activity connected to him (bin Laden) and the effects of that would be devastating."
ERRI analysts said that events in Munich, Germany in 1972 and again in Atlanta in 1996, show that the Olympics are always a high-profile terrorist target. (click here to see the ERRI threat assessment prior to 1996 Olympics) Given the number of potential terrorist assets in Asia, one analyst says that he would rate the risk at this time as "medium," and that he would recommend constant reassessment as the event approaches.
