-Caveat Lector-
<http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/attack/stories/krwarn_20010930.htm>
Published Sunday, September 30, 2001
U.S. issues worldwide travel alert Plots to take American hostages warned
By Martin Merzer and Jonathan S. Landay
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON -- The State Department issued a worldwide travel alert for
Americans after discovering that extremists in nine countries might be
preparing to kidnap or kill American and British civilians in response to
expected U.S. retaliatory strikes against terrorists, Knight Ridder learned
Saturday.
The boldest plot, U.S. intelligence officials said, was uncovered by
Indonesian authorities who reported that a radical group planned to invade
two upscale neighborhoods in the capital of Jakarta and seize large numbers
of Americans and Britons as hostages if the United States or Great Britain
attacked Afghanistan.
The officials, who requested anonymity, told Knight Ridder that the
"worldwide caution" issued Friday by the State Department was based on
reports from the CIA, the National Security Agency and foreign intelligence
services.
According to the reports, suspected allies of terrorist leader Osama bin
Laden have been casing hotels favored by Westerners. In some cases,
officials said, extremists asked desk clerks and other hotel employees if
any Americans were registered there.
Plans for possible attacks against Americans and other Westerners were
reported in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, the southern Philippine
island of Mindanao, the Bangladesh capital of Dacca, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Pakistan, the former Soviet republic Georgia and Bahrain, the
U.S. military headquarters in the Persian Gulf, the officials said.
With more than 300 aircraft, 30 warships and nearly 30,000 troops now
focused on Afghanistan, the United States is ready to begin military action
against bin Laden and his Afghan hosts as soon as President Bush decides to
act, according to senior U.S. officials.
The United States has identified bin Laden as the mastermind of the
calamitous Sept. 11 attacks on four jetliners, the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon. He has been protected by Afghanistan's Taliban leaders since
1996.
Knight Ridder learned Saturday that the United States is backing a
fledgling political coalition to attract disaffected Afghans, especially
the country's few remaining professional military officers.
"Our enemies here are Osama bin Laden and any Afghans who are protecting
him," said one U.S. official, who asked not to be identified. "We're not
looking to attack Afghanistan. Afghanistan would be better off without bin
Laden and his fellow travelers."
The effort centers on an attempt by former Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah,
86, to convene an assembly of anti-Taliban political, religious and
military leaders from all of Afghanistan's ethnic communities, U.S.
officials said.
The assembly would choose a government-in-exile and a military body to
coordinate anti-Taliban resistance inside Afghanistan.
"The idea is an overall uprising," said an official of the United Front,
the coalition of mostly ethnic minorities that has been fighting the
Taliban since the militia of radical religious students emerged in 1994.
According to a White House memo prepared by the National Security Council
staff with input from the State and Defense departments: "The Taliban do
not represent the Afghan people, who never elected or chose the Taliban
faction. We do not want to choose who rules Afghanistan, but we will assist
those who seek a peaceful, economically developing Afghanistan free of
terrorism."
The United States' immediate goal in Afghanistan, the memo said, is to
"eradicate the terrorism that led to the strikes that killed the citizens
of 78 countries on September 11."
In addition, Knight Ridder has learned, the administration is examining
ways to divide the Taliban, including offering food or financial aid to
Taliban leaders who turn against bin Laden and his followers.
The United States also could airdrop leaflets on various Taliban groups
offering aid to those who abandon the movement's top leaders, or it could
deliver aid to some groups across the border from Pakistan.
"Exploring splits is what we're all about," said a senior U.S. official who
asked not to be named.
On Friday, the State Department issued a "worldwide caution" to Americans
overseas. Without giving details, it cited threatening rhetoric and the
potential of further strikes in the wake of the attacks.
"In this environment of increased tension and concern, the department urges
Americans to review their circumstances carefully and to take any measures
they deem necessary to ensure their personal safety," the State Department
announced.
It was the first time the department has issued such an advisory since the
assault that killed nearly 7,000 people in the United States.
On Thursday, the State Department issued a special travel warning for
Americans in Indonesia.
"While the government of Indonesia has condemned these terrorist attacks,
some radical Indonesian groups have attempted to attack U.S. citizens and
have threatened to attack U.S. facilities and expel American citizens from
Indonesia in the event of a U.S. military action," the advisory said.
"Americans who despite this warning remain in or visit Indonesia should
exercise maximum caution and take prudent measures to maintain their
security."
The State Department also said the U.S. Embassy in Niger received reports
of "anti-American threats and sentiments" in the capital, Niamey, and the
city of Maradi. It said the threats were linked to possible U.S. military
action, and it encouraged all Americans in Niger to maintain heightened
security.
In addition, the department repeated previous warnings about potential
threats against U.S. military facilities and other establishments
frequented by U.S. servicemen in South Korea and Japan.
Nonessential U.S. government employees have been removed from four U.S.
diplomatic missions in Pakistan, two in Indonesia and one each in
Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen, the State Department said.
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Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT
FROM THE DESK OF:
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The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends
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