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Intelligence failed to stop Saudi attack
Bombers succeeded in attacking a residential compound in Saudi Arabia, despite western intelligence warnings that an attack was imminent. The attack on a residential compound in Riyadh killed 18 people and injured over 100 others on Sunday evening. The bombings came despite warnings from the American, British and Australian governments that an attack in the country was ripe.
"Take this away, Mahmoud! This is Western intelligence. To read it would be un-Islamic."
"Yes, effendi!" |
The warnings were issued over a five week period, starting on 6 October when the US issued a statement saying ''known terrorist operatives'' were watching the movements of westerners in the kingdom.
| "Feh! They're watching Westerners. What's that got to do with us Soddies? Mahmoud, bring me my camel!" |
A further warning was issued last Friday, with the US stating that 'terrorists' were in an ''operational phase'' able to launch an attack at any time.
"Western intelligence! What do they know?"
"Yes, effendi."
"Bring me some dates. And have the eunochs fire up a dancing girl for me." |
Last week a senior western diplomat admitted that ''a group linked to al-Qaida are in the final stages of planning a major terrorist attack. Frustratingly we didn't know the target or the timing.''
"Couldn't be anything important or we'd have caught them by now. Mahmoud! My burnoose! I shall go hawking!"
"Yes, effendi!" |
After Sunday's attack on the compound, the same diplomat said that he could not rule out that armed groups weren't planning to launch further attacks in the kingdom. Questions are being asked about the reliance on western intelligence in being able to thwart future bombings in Saudi Arabia and around the world. The Saudis criticised the British government last month for failing to coordinate security warnings with Saudi officials.
| "All intelligence reports must be routed through Mahmoud the Weasel at the Bureau of Intelligence Coordination in triplicate. All reports must be written in Arabic, and will be returned for improper grammar or punctuation." |
For the Saudis the warnings undermine investor confidence in the kingdom and makes the government appear as if they have no control over security in the country.
| I think I'd put my money in Sri Lanka before I'd put it in Soddy Arabia. Luckily I don't have any. |
Security analysts however insist that intelligence gathering is improving all the time, as is the monitoring and penetration of Islamist dissident groups in the kingdom, despite failing to prevent Sunday's attacks.
| "Mahmoud! My .50 caliber! I'll be out shooting bustards this afternoon!" |
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-11-10 |
