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"Europeans See Higher Terror Threat" A tape released by the second in command of Al Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, indicates that future attacks may be carried out in Denmark, Japan, Norway, and Sweden. According to Zawahiri, Al Qaeda is interested in attacking any Western country that joined the United States in its invasion of Iraq. On the tape, Zawahiri condemned the Palestinian group Hamas for its "reported readiness to consider a peace deal with Israel" and Iran for its "complicity" in the U.S. assault on Afghanistan in 2001 and blamed global warming on the "greed" of the Western world. Dutch and British leaders both expressed concern that terror activity is increasing in their countries, where terror threat levels have risen. "We now face a threat level that is severe," said Jacqui Smith, Britain's home secretary. "It's not getting any less, it's actually growing." Al Qaeda may be seeking out revenge on the West after a Dutch lawmaker put out a film earlier this year that suggested that the Koran has ties to violence and after a cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad, originally printed in a Danish newspaper in 2006, was published again in March of this year. Alert to the fact that Westerners working abroad are potential targets, the Dutch government said it recently moved its embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, and the Danish Foreign Ministry said it removed staffers from embassies in Algeria and Afghanistan. "9 People Detained as Germans Raid Islamic Centers" German police arrested nine citizens suspected of involvement with a criminal organization during a series of raids on Islamic centers across the country. Police have been observing the cultural centers for over two years. Multi-Kultur-Haus, an Islamic cultural center in Neu-Ulm, is believed to be a meeting place for radical Islamists. Police say that the men arrested were involved with a group that is attempting to steer Muslims toward extremism, though no terrorism charges have been filed. The series of raids come as the government debates a potential expansion of police surveillance. The interior and justice ministries reached an agreement on a new set on online surveillance guidelines, which were met with strong opposition from the Social Democrats. There are concerns that the proposed guidelines would allow law enforcement to use wiretaps and hidden surveillance cameras in the homes of innocent citizens. "Police 'Have Foiled 15 Terror Plots Since 7/7'" A spokesperson for Scotland Yard told a parliamentary committee that 15 terrorist plots have been prevented since the London bombings in 2005. The committee is considering a proposal that would extend the amount of time that police can detain terror suspects without charging them from 28 days to 42 days. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair argued that officers needed more time to detain suspects because planned attacks are very complex and terrorist cells used computers to grow a vast communication network. The government's plan has been criticized by some who believe that the current limit is sufficient and an extension would send the wrong message to Britain's Muslim community. A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said that Britain was the primary target for Muslim extremists, leaving the U.K. more at risk of an attack than the United States or France. "European Union Won't Give United States Unfettered Access to Security Databases" The European Commission announced that it will not allow U.S. authorities full access to police and security databases. The United States wants access to the information so E.U. citizens will be allowed to enter the country without a visa. The E.U. has databases that contain fingerprints, information on stolen cars and people who have been investigated by police. Many European countries are already part of the U.S. visa waiver program, but most of the 12 countries who have joined the E.U. in the last five years are not. U.S. officials are attempting to make bilateral deals with some of these countries rather than convince the entire E.U. to allow database access. Although the E.U. denied general access to its police and security databases, a spokesperson said that the E.U. is willing to negotiate with the United States and determine what information needs to be shared to have all 27 member states join the visa-free program. E.U. officials are concerned that countries in individual talks with the United States could allow more information to be shared than E.U. rules allow, which could lead to legal action. "US Homeland Security Chief Says Terror Groups Recruiting Western Europeans" Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said terrorists are recruiting Europeans because they "are Western in appearance, Western in experience, can mingle freely in the West without attracting attention, who will be easier to slip into the stream of travel." In September, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell also expressed concern about Europeans being recruited by terrorists when he told the Senate Judiciary Committee that terrorists are drawn to Europeans because they usually can get into the United States without a visa. To make sure suspects are caught, Chertoff reported that the United States is attempting to gather more information, such as biometric details, on individuals. "Whether the attack is aimed at Western Europe or aimed at coming to the U.S. from Western Europe, that's one of the things we have to be focused on," said Chertoff. "Easy Shopping for Terrorists?" The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) disclosed the results of a 14-month-long undercover investigation into the sale of U.S. military equipment on the Internet. The GAO provided the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs with a list of items purchased by GAO employees from Web sites such as eBay and Craigslist, including night-vision goggles and authentic U.S. Army combat uniforms outfitted with infrared patches for nighttime identification. Some of the merchandise was stolen, while others items were actually sold by active members of the armed forces. Last year, up to 12 insurgents entered a government security compound in American uniforms and armed with American weapons. Five U.S. soldiers were killed in the attack, yet months after the incident authentic uniform patches used in Iraq were still being sold in military-supply stores without requirement of a Department of Defense identification card. Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster has proposed banning the online resale of any used military merchandise that was used within the last 50 years, however Rep. John Tierney said that it was too broad a regulation. An official for online auction site eBay said that it is difficult to enforce all of its security policies because approximately 7 million items are listed for auction each day. Pentagon officials also reported to the subcommittee, describing improved accounting and inventory procedures designed to better monitor military equipment. The Army's Operation Total Recall has recovered over $135 million worth of lost or misplaced military items since its implementation in 2006. "British Terror Plot Targeted Canada, Court Hears" Two Air Canada planes en route home from London were revealed as the targets of a 2006 British liquid-explosives terror plot that had a great impact on airline travel. Eight British Muslims are on trial in London for planning to blow up commercial jetliners with liquid explosives, including the Air Canada jets, one bound for Toronto, the other for Montreal. "It is further alleged that the bombs were planned to be set off when the aircraft were airborne and that the bombers and everyone else on board would be killed," said Justice David Calvert-Smith at Woolwich Crown Court in London. When the men were arrested, Canadian government officials did not inform the public that the Canadian flights had been targeted. Others keeping quiet about the allegations include officials from Public Safety and Transport Canada as well as Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick. "Air Canada always has and we will continue to cooperate with security agencies to ensure the safety of our passengers," said Fitzpatrick. The accused men are charged with conspiracy to murder and of planning acts of violence that could jeopardize the safety of an aircraft and could be sentenced to life. Police discovered that the men planned to smuggle liquid explosives in plastic bottles and detonators on board that they would use for building bombs when the plane was in flight. The investigation caused hundreds of British flights to be cancelled and motivated airlines to establish new security measures that ban passengers from carrying liquids on board. |
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