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Emergency Response & Research Institute
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 03:00CDT
Terrorism Against the USA; The Next Target??
By: Clark Staten, ERRI Analyst
Chicago, IL, July 11, 1996 (ENN)-- As Senate hearings examine and dissect the disastrous truck bombing of
the Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, the thoughts of many turn to the possible continuing threats that
confront Americans in the Mid-East and elsewhere.
An analysis by the Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI), conducted since the Dhahran incident,
would indicate that at least four areas seem to be of particular concern in the coming days:
Saudi Arabia
On Wednesday evening (07/10/96), it was reported that U.S. intelligence has revealed that an unknown group,
possibly the same one that struck Dhahran on 25 June 1996, is preparing for future strikes at U.S. government
personnel and facilities, as well as American industrial/ commercial firms in Saudi Arabia. It was also reported
that U.S. intelligence strongly suspects that U.S. facilities in the Saudi Kingdom have recently been the subject
of possible terrorist surveillance.
The United States State Department said on Wednesday that telephone threats have been made to the U.S.
Embassy in Riyadh, to American firms in Saudi Arabia and to U.S. citizens in the country. The State
Department also said that the "sophistication" of the bomb that was used in the 25 June bombing incident
suggests that additional attacks are "quite possible."
In a written warning that was issued, the State Department said, "It is likely some of these reports reflect
planning for attacks. As a result, the U.S. Embassy wishes again to remind the entire American community of
the importance of exercising extreme caution, keeping a low profile, reducing travel within the Kingdom and
treating mail from unfamiliar sources with suspicion."
Bahrain
Allied Naval facilities and associated military personnel in Bahrain and the immediate vicinity should be
considered to be at high-risk for terrorist attack in the future. This assessment is based on increasing political
and religious instability in Bahrain and demonstrated violence perpetrated by pro-Shi'ite factions within the
country. Additionally, diplomatic and business facilities may be targeted by anti-Western forces in that area.
Bahrain officials have blamed several recent bombings and arson attacks on Iranian backed Shi'ite "terrorist
cells".
Pakistan
Recently developed intelligence information would suggest that United States embassies and personnel in
Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistan may be at particular risk of terrorist threat in the coming days and weeks.
Counter-terrorist analysts say that they fear a similar occurrence to the Nov. 19, 1995 bombing of the
Egyptian Embassy, that killed 15 and injured another 60.
Two explosive devices were hurled at the American Information Center in Lahore, capital of the central
Pakistan province of Punjab, on April 22, 1996. Thankfully, they caused no major damage. At least 80 people
have been killed and more than 200 injured this year in bus/car/truck-related bombings in Islamabad, Lahore
and Karachi. Although the barb-wire topped brick walls at the U.S. Embassy in Karachi might appear
formidable to the uninitiated and might be useful in keeping intruders from the grounds, they would probably
prove to be of little protection when faced with an exploding car bomb. Caution is urged in Pakistan.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Recent press and intelligence revelations that there are still "hundreds" of Islamic "mujahideen" fighters in Bosnia
has raised the terrorism alert levels of American troops there. The Islamic militants have been reportedly
establishing themselves in a broad swatch of central Bosnia, particularly in villages around the cities of Travnik,
Zenica, Zavidovici and Kakanj.
The reports follow a February 15, 1996 IFOR raid, in which eight Bosnians and three men suspected to be
Iranian nationals were taken into custody. The NATO raid took place on Feb. 15th at about 2:00 p.m.
(Bosnian time) at a former ski chalet located about six miles south of Fojnica. Intelligence documents,
booby-traps, sabotage devices, explosives and weapons were confiscated. The chalet was described as a
"terrorist training school" by NATO officials.
ERRI analysts say that they originally feared that the Islamic "mujahideen" were to be used as "stay-behind"
training and indoctrination agents, who would not be activated until American forces had departed the area later
this year. It now appears that they may be becoming more heavily involved an on-going instigation of insurgency
efforts against the American and NATO troops and that more instability and terrorist attacks may be
forthcoming in Bosnia.
In each of these countries, one of the purposes of an attempted terrorist attack would seem to be to prompt an
American withdrawal from the area. Recent historical experiences in Somalia, Haiti, Africa and even Viet Nam
have led extremists to firmly believe that if U.S. soldiers and diplomats are forced to "shed blood" that they will
be quickly withdrawn from a conflict by American politicians or public opinion.
Threat levels directed against Americans, in general, continue at a high level throughout the world, according to
an ERRI computer- generated summary that was produced on July 6th, 1996. Extra caution is urged while
engaging in foreign travel, particularly in Eastern Europe, the Mid-East, and Far-East.
(c) Emergencynet NEWS Service, 1996
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