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| Terror Networks |
| U.N. Report: Fight Vs. al-Qaida Failing |
| 2003-11-15 |
| November 14, 2003 11:22 PM EST UNITED NATIONS - The al-Qaida terror network has decided to use chemical or biological weapons in future attacks, and international efforts to halt the group are failing, a confidential report by a U.N. panel of experts has found. The report, obtained Friday by The Associated Press, said the only thing holding al-Qaida back from using chemical and biological weapons is its lack technical know-how. "They have already taken the decision to use chemical and bio-weapons in their forthcoming attacks," the report said. "The only restraint they are facing is the technical complexity to operate them properly and effectively." The lack of technical ability is the reason the panel of experts believes that al-Qaida is focused on trying to develop new conventional explosive devices such as bombs that can evade scanners. The report is the second by the expert group established in January by the U.N. Security Council to monitor implementation of sanctions against 272 individuals and entities linked to al-Qaida and Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban regime. The sanctions include freezing assets, a travel ban, and an arms embargo. The experts participated in a serious of international and European discussions on efforts to curb trafficking in weapons of mass destruction. They didn’t cite any specific new evidence, noting only the recent discovery of several canisters of unidentified chemicals and possible residues of a "tetanus virus-carrying chemical" and a bio-terror manual in a police raid on a Jemaah Islamiyah hideout in the southern Philippines. "The risk of al-Qaida acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction also continues to grow," the report said. In the report, the expert group said the al-Qaida ideology is spreading worldwide and has found "fertile ground" in Iraq, raising the specter of new terrorist attacks. While "important progress has been made toward cutting off al-Qaida financing," the report said serious loopholes remain that enable the terrorist network to funnel money to operatives. "Al-Qaida continues to receive funds it needs from charities, deep pocket donors Sanctions are also failing because many governments refuse to add names to the sanctions list, even though some 4,000 individuals in 102 countries have been arrested or detained for their links with al-Qaida, it said. Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen reported the arrest of individuals linked to al-Qaida and the Taliban yet in most cases they didn’t submit the names to be put on the sanctions list, the report said. Even when people are on the list, the experts said, they have been allowed to travel and evade sanctions. The report cited an investigation of two men on the U.N. list of terrorist financiers, Ahmed Idris Nasreddin and Youssef Nada, whose bank accounts have been frozen but whose other assets including residential or commercial property in Campione d’Italia and Lugano, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy, has not been touched. On Jan. 28, it said, Nada traveled from Campione d’Italia to Vaduz, Liechtenstein, in violation of the travel ban and applied to change the name of two of his companies that were on the sanctions list. Their case reflects the "continued serious weaknesses regarding the control of business activities and assets other than bank accounts" of individuals on the sanctions list, the report said. The expert group called on the Security Council to adopt a new resolution requiring all 191 member states to enforce sanctions. Otherwise, it said the U.N. role in fighting terrorism "risks becoming marginalized." Becoming? Becoming? Sonny-boy you ARE marginalized. |
| Posted by:CrazyFool |
| #15 Anon, you mean someone like Iran or the NorKs? (I actually slept a little better after we took Baghad. I know we're still fighting, but it was bliss knowing that one member of the Axis of Evil had been taken care of!) |
| Posted by: Jennie Taliaferro 2003-11-15 3:48:52 PM |
| #14 The UN must immediately form a team of inspectors to disarm al Qaida and halt their weapons program. They should avoid this RUSH TO WAR at all costs. Diplomacy is the solution - military action should be the LAST RESORT. |
| Posted by: eyeyeye 2003-11-15 2:23:23 PM |
| #13 Badanov: Don't forget about the golden statue of Bush in Firdos Square with the plaque reading "Boosh the Liberator - Eternal Friend of the Iraqi People", right next to the monument to the coalition soldiers who died in the Great Year 2003. |
| Posted by: Matt 2003-11-15 2:23:16 PM |
| #12 Hopefully by 2015, we'll know which way the wind is blowing. Hopefully by 2015: 1) The flesh on bin Laden's head will all be decomposed off of the pike he has been sitting since Nov. 2003, right next to Saddam Who's-InSane. 2) The UN enjoys their new world headquarters in Paris France, right next to the French Caliph's Palace. 3) The Baghdad University Flying Carpets women's college basketball team gets to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tourney. The team is housed in the fancy renovated hotel at the UN building in New York. 4) Tony Blair, executive director of the 10 year old United Democratic Nations, gives a speech asking for the liberation of Europe from Islamists and socialists. |
| Posted by: badanov 2003-11-15 1:48:23 PM |
| #11 We should perform a scientific experiment. Let the UN go on holiday for, say, 6 months. No statements, no GA, no UNSC, no nothing, well maybe ICAO... Near the end, we should monitor average temps throughout the world, and check everything out. I will bet dollars to donuts that global warming will be stopped, corruption will be down, and the WoT progress will be greatly accellerated. And NY parking tickets issued will have a tremendous downward trend. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-11-15 1:45:29 PM |
| #10 Anon - "...collaborating with some crazy dictator.." AQ would NEVER do that! They're too pure! They would NEVER associate with someone like Saddam! Bush said they would, but he was lyyying! It's all about oiiiiily Jooooos! |
| Posted by: Edog 2003-11-15 1:29:56 PM |
| #9 Well, well, well, AQ threatens their wanting to rule the world, so they must be taken out. Competition is good. So after another 12 years and 18 resolutions, they might vote to do something. Hopefully by 2015, we'll know which way the wind is blowing. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-11-15 12:29:33 PM |
| #8 It has been easy to travel within Western Europe for years. It would be interesting to see the UN try to tackle passport standards. Maybe require barcodes and a database of fingerprints for passport holders. There is a downside to this but it would be interesting to see Kofi try to bring about real change not aimed at busting the US in the nuts. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-11-15 10:26:51 AM |
| #7 sure would be scary if they started collaborating with some crazy dictator with a bio-chem WMD program. you know, someone with a grudge against the US. someone immune to UN inspectors. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-11-15 10:23:33 AM |
| #6 "A UN panel of experts", huh? Anybody we know? Kinda goes along with Kofi's supression of the "we have incompetent security" report, I guess. |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-11-15 9:06:53 AM |
| #5 So let me get this straight, alQ lack the 'technical know-how' for chembio weapons even with deep pockets, bone fide scientists and state supported intelligence. But an anthrax the likes of which no one has ever seen (or will admit to seeing) was managed by some asshole with rubber gloves and a bathtub. Belief suspended. |
| Posted by: Rawsnacks 2003-11-15 9:04:45 AM |
| #4 Actually I don't think it is fear mongering. I think Kofi might have finally woke up and realized that he is a target like everyone else. What this is saying is that more needs to be done. Are you listening France, Switzerland, Italy? |
| Posted by: Ben 2003-11-15 7:11:54 AM |
| #3 Otherwise, it said the U.N. role in fighting terrorism "risks becoming marginalized." The U.N. has an actual role in fighting terrorism? Other than dispensing a lot of hot air, just what in heaven's name could the U.N.'s "role" be????? |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-11-15 2:51:49 AM |
| #2 Well shit, I want to experience space travel, but the only thing holding me back is technical know-how. This isn't news, we've known AQ has been trying to get NBC weps since 9/11. This is just fear-mongering crap from the lefties. |
| Posted by: misunderestimate 2003-11-15 1:00:01 AM |
| #1 the only thing holding al-Qaida back from using chemical and biological weapons is its lack technical know-how. In other words it's all a pipe-dream for these boys. Even when people are on the list, the experts said, they have been allowed to travel and evade sanctions. Notice that the next three countries mentioned are all on the same continent. The expert group called on the Security Council to adopt a new resolution requiring all 191 member states to enforce sanctions. Attaboy, you eUNuchs. You can join your EUnuch friends with their importance. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-11-15 12:44:14 AM |