Dec 23rd 1999
ARE Islamic terrorists preparing to strike against Americans during their holiday revels? The arrest last week of an Algerian as he crossed into the United States from Canada—and the later arrest of another Algerian—has sharpened fears that they will. The first man, Ahmed Ressam, was allegedly carrying parts for a large bomb: nitroglycerine, explosive oil and urea, together with a timing device. He had earlier been denied Canadian citizenship because of links with the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria.
Worse, claimed American officials, Mr Ressam might be connected (though they did not say how) with the United States’ chief bogeyman, Osama bin Laden. Mr bin Laden, a Saudi living in Afghanistan, is accused of being behind the bombing of two American embassies in Africa last year. Just three days before Mr Ressam’s capture, the State Department had released a “worldwide caution”, saying the government had “credible information that terrorists [were] planning attacks specifically targeting American citizens”. The terrorists in mind were Mr bin Laden’s lot.
Is such official nervousness justified? Three-quarters of Americans do not think so, according to a poll this week, although 8% are seriously worried that there will be terrorist violence on new year’s eve. Even the Taliban, Mr bin Laden’s protectors in Afghanistan, have assured the American government that he has no plans to attack.
Not everyone will believe them, especially Americans abroad. Last week Jordan won the extradition, from Pakistan, of another man allegedly linked with Mr bin Laden. Khalil Deek is accused of leading a group that has been plotting to attack tourists or damage American buildings in the Middle East over the new-year weekend. Thirteen others have been arrested in Jordan, thwarting, say officials, an imminent terror campaign.
The most serious threat to holiday peace may be in Europe. This week Spanish police found a bomb weighing nearly a tonne, ready for detonation, in a van heading for Madrid. The driver was linked to ETA, a Basque separatist group that has just ended a ceasefire.
But, at least inside the United States, Islamic violence is less likely than other sorts, according to a recent FBI report. That concentrates on the dangers posed by apocalyptic cults, white supremacists, black Hebrew Israelites and, of course, any militias eager for the battle against a New World Order. Two alleged members of the last (the San Joaquin County Militia) were charged on December 20th with firearms offences and accused of plotting to blow up a propane plant in California to “fan Y2K hysteria”.
ARE Islamic terrorists preparing to strike against Americans during their holiday revels? The arrest last week of an Algerian as he crossed into the United States from Canada—and the later arrest of another Algerian—has sharpened fears that they will. The first man, Ahmed Ressam, was allegedly carrying parts for a large bomb: nitroglycerine, explosive oil and urea, together with a timing device. He had earlier been denied Canadian citizenship because of links with the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria.
Worse, claimed American officials, Mr Ressam might be connected (though they did not say how) with the United States’ chief bogeyman, Osama bin Laden. Mr bin Laden, a Saudi living in Afghanistan, is accused of being behind the bombing of two American embassies in Africa last year. Just three days before Mr Ressam’s capture, the State Department had released a “worldwide caution”, saying the government had “credible information that terrorists [were] planning attacks specifically targeting American citizens”. The terrorists in mind were Mr bin Laden’s lot.
Is such official nervousness justified? Three-quarters of Americans do not think so, according to a poll this week, although 8% are seriously worried that there will be terrorist violence on new year’s eve. Even the Taliban, Mr bin Laden’s protectors in Afghanistan, have assured the American government that he has no plans to attack.
Not everyone will believe them, especially Americans abroad. Last week Jordan won the extradition, from Pakistan, of another man allegedly linked with Mr bin Laden. Khalil Deek is accused of leading a group that has been plotting to attack tourists or damage American buildings in the Middle East over the new-year weekend. Thirteen others have been arrested in Jordan, thwarting, say officials, an imminent terror campaign.
The most serious threat to holiday peace may be in Europe. This week Spanish police found a bomb weighing nearly a tonne, ready for detonation, in a van heading for Madrid. The driver was linked to ETA, a Basque separatist group that has just ended a ceasefire.
But, at least inside the United States, Islamic violence is less likely than other sorts, according to a recent FBI report. That concentrates on the dangers posed by apocalyptic cults, white supremacists, black Hebrew Israelites and, of course, any militias eager for the battle against a New World Order. Two alleged members of the last (the San Joaquin County Militia) were charged on December 20th with firearms offences and accused of plotting to blow up a propane plant in California to “fan Y2K hysteria”.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق