Mon, Aug 25, 2003
UK Could Be Next Target
There are new warnings of terrorist attacks in Britain involving
a hijacked aircraft being flown into a building, and Australia has
been named as a potential terrorist target.
The London Sunday Telegraph reported that the FBI had
uncovered intelligence that al-Qaeda was plotting to hijack an
aircraft in Britain - probably at Heathrow or Gatwick airport -
within the next two months and fly it into an important building.
Australia, the United States and Italy were also named as possible
targets by an FBI spokesman quoted in the report.
Earlier this month, the Prime Minister, John Howard, admitted
that Qantas jets in London could be at risk. London was placed on
the highest alert last month after the FBI warned British
intelligence agencies that an al-Qaeda suicide bomb attack in
London and other cities could be imminent.
Government officials in the US and Europe said the activities of
at least six groups in the US suspected of links to al-Qaeda were
being monitored. Most of those under surveillance are believed to
be sympathizers of Osama bin Laden who may be engaged in low-level
support activities for al-Qaeda, such as raising money, relaying
messages and recruiting new members, officials said. They insisted
there was no evidence that any of the suspects, living in 40 US
states, were preparing an attack or posed any threat.
Pakistanis Arrested In Canada
In Canada, 19 Pakistani
men have been arrested by security officials for possible ties to
terrorism. The officials cited a "pattern of fraudulent document
use to obtain or maintain immigrant status." The men, aged between
18 and 33, were detained 11 days ago after an investigation found
that one of them was taking flying lessons at a school near a
nuclear power plant in Ontario.
Officials, who gave few details of their investigations, said
the four-page document drew a picture of a mysterious group of
young men who lived in flats furnished only with computers and
mattresses on the floors. They appeared interested in explosives
and in Pickering Nuclear Generating Station outside Toronto. But a
Canadian Government spokesmen played down any threat to
security.
Some of the men are being held on immigration violations and
others on no charges at all. A closed detention review hearing is
expected to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
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