-Caveat Lector- FBI Asking Dive Shops About Middle Eastern Customers, Students
The Associated Press SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - FBI agents have begun canvassing dive shops across Florida, inquiring specifically about customers and students of Middle Eastern descent. The bureau, concerned that future terrorist attacks might come by sea, also is compiling a database of all the country's certified scuba divers. "It's another avenue for terrorists to pose a threat," said Terry W. Myers, the owner of Depthfinders Dive Center in Port Charlotte. The agent asked Myers whether he has had any Middle Eastern students. He said he had no suspicious patrons. On May 23, the FBI released a general warning that some terrorists had been seeking "an offensive scuba diver capability." The Professional Association of Diving Instructors sent its members a message the following day, telling them it was working with the FBI to centralize the information the agents are seeking. PADI, which counts nearly 65 percent of the nation's dive shops as its affiliates, warned dive shops that their lists of students could be subpoenaed. "I think it's a good idea," said Chuck Owen, manager at Bill Jackson Inc., scuba shop in Pinellas Park. He said the FBI visited his dive shop about a week ago. Owen has been in the diving business since the mid-70s, and this was the first time the FBI has asked about diving in the context of potential attacks, he said. Debbie Weierman, an FBI spokeswoman in Washington, said the warning wasn't prompted by a credible threat. "It's just a general bit of information," Weierman said. "It's very nebulous. Unfortunately we have nothing as far as time and location. We do know they are trying to pursue scuba diving capability." So FBI agents are scouring the country, talking with scuba shop owners and officials from diving organizations like PADI. Romy Hays, owner of Ocean Pro Dive Shop in Sarasota, said she explained to the agent who visited her that there are many certified divers. "I told him scuba diving is not like learning how to fly," Hays said. "Anyone can pick up a tank and regulator and go underwater. Scuba gear is available everywhere." Agents also visited the Divers Den of Pensacola last week, said the owner, who declined to give his name. The owner said he told agents he has no customers or students of Middle Eastern descent. Myers said he would be suspicious of a customer who acted strangely or spent thousands on elaborate equipment. But added, "no one is going to give me a terrorist union card. ... That's why we try to get as much personal information as we can." ------------------------ "In little more than a year we have gone from enjoying peace and the most prosperous economy in our history, to a nation plunged into war, recession and fear. This is a nation being transformed before our very eyes." http://www.truthout.com Steve Wingate, Webmaster ANOMALOUS IMAGES AND UFO FILES http://www.anomalous-images.com <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
