-Caveat Lector- http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3 RH43KHTC&live=true&tagid=ZZZAFZAVA0C&subheading=europe Iraq smuggles agents into Germany via Prague By Hugh Williamson and Philipp Jaklin in Berlin Published: October 31 2001 20:10 | Last Updated: November 1 2001 08:23 {PRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="}
Iraq has moved secret agents into Germany as part of illegal people-smuggling operations, German authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The agents had been smuggled from eastern European countries in an operation co-ordinated by Iraqi diplomats in Prague, the Czech capital. "There is evidence that Iraqis with secret service backgrounds have infiltrated Germany, helped by professional smuggling gangs," according to a spokesman for Germany's Agency for the Protection of the Constitution, Berlin's internal intelligence authority. The confirmation, and the connection to Prague, may reinforce allegations of Iraqi involvement in the terrorist attacks in the US in September. Stanislav Gross, the Czech interior minister, said last week that Mohammed Atta, one of the alleged ringleaders of the attacks, met an Iraqi diplomat in Prague earlier this year. The diplomat, Ahmad Khalil Ibrahim Samir al-Ani, was later expelled from the Czech Republic for spying. Prague is allegedly an important base for the Iraqi secret service. The German internal intelligence agency had in 1999 identified efforts by Iraq to move spies into the country, the spokesman said. "There's nothing to suggest that Iraq's approach has changed since then," he added. The main activity of Iraqi agents in Germany is to monitor groups opposed to Saddam Hussein's regime, according to the internal intelligence agency. No details were available on how many spies may have entered Germany. The illegal smuggling of nationals from Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries via eastern Europe into Germany and other parts of western Europe has become a main security concern in recent years. The German-Czech border is a common crossing point in this process. A spokesperson for the BND, Germany's international secret service, said the agency was investigating the problem and was in contact with the Czech authorities. German investigators into the terrorist attacks in September have not published any evidence linking Iraq to the incidents. Three of the hijackers, including Mr Atta, recently lived in the northern city of Hamburg. Some US officials, and other terrorism experts, have pointed to links between the terrorism network of Osama bin Laden - the chief suspect behind the attacks - and Iraq. The Czech government confirmed last week that Mr Atta had visited Prague at least twice. His most recent visit was by bus from Germany, arriving in Prague on July 2. He left the city by air for the US the following day. <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
