http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/26/nalq26.xml <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/26/nalq26.xml&; sSheet=/news/2004/12/26/ixnewstop.html> &sSheet=/news/2004/12/26/ixnewstop.html
Al-Qaeda's plotting attack on London's New Year celebrations' By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent (Filed: 26/12/2004) A secret intelligence report has revealed that security chiefs believe al-Qaeda may target New Year celebrations across Britain, The Telegraph has learned. The document, which has been distributed to every military base in Britain warns that "crowded places or events" are under "a severe threat" of attack from terrorist bombers. The report, which is marked "restricted", is understood to have been compiled by military intelligence specialists, MI5 and Special Branch officers. Under the heading "International Terrorism", the report warns that military personnel and establishments within the Government Security Zone in central London, which includes Horse Guards in Whitehall, and Buckingham and St James's Palaces, face a "substantial" threat of attack. It says military bases across the country are also facing a similar threat. The report, which is part of a monthly security update for the armed forces, adds that the threat "comes from al-Qaeda and associated terrorist groups". It continues: "Targeting against US and UK interests both at home and abroad remains a priority for al-Qaeda. Their attacks - including the Madrid train bombings in March - have been against soft targets with the aim of creating as many casualties as possible." The report says that on November 18, the general threat to central London was reduced, but it adds: "It is emphasised that crowded places or events... that draw large numbers of people will still attract a severe (general) threat." While the threat level for a general al-Qaeda attack has been assessed as severe since Novermber 2003, it is understood this is the first time that such a report has mentioned the potential risk to large gatherings of civilians. Most of Britain's large cities have unofficial New Year's Eve celebrations, including London where members of the public gather in their thousands around Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Parliament Square. It is estimated that more than 150,000 people will be in the centre of London on New Year's Eve to witness a £1.2 million firework display which next to the London Eye on the River Thames. The report - dated December 3 - has been revealed just two months after The Telegraph learned that defence officials feared that military bases in southern England were being targeted by al-Qaeda terrorist cells. A military document referred to a series of incidents, which took place last August and September, inside the Dover Garrison area and close to a military base on Thorney Island in Sussex, when "males of Middle Eastern appearance" were seen photographing the barracks. Senior security officials believe it is a case of "when" and not "if" al-Qaeda carries out an attack against Britain. Eliza Manningham-Buller, the director general of MI5, recently warned industry chiefs not to treat the prospect of a terrorist attack with complacency. Similar fears have been echoed by Peter Hain, the Leader of the Commons, who warned in September of a plot to detonate a "dirty bomb" at Westminster. Patrick Mercer, the shadow minister for Homeland Security, yesterday called on the government to give the public the same warnings that were being issued to military and government personnel. "What the hell is the point of this document?" he asked. "How many off-duty servicemen are going to be in Trafalgar Square on New Years Eve? We've been asking the Government for months to prepare proper public warnings, proper public threat briefings and proper public training. "The Government is perfectly capable of doing this for obesity and smoking but seems utterly incapable of warning the public about the threat of terrorism." A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that would not advise people to stay away from central London on New Year's Eve. He added: "During this period we are asking people to be vigilant and to be aware of anything suspicious they see around them. There is an ongoing threat to the United Kingdom but we have no specific information to suggest that people are in any more danger at this time of year than any other." Publishers wishing to reproduce photographs on this page should phone 44 (0) 207 538 7505 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $4.98 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/Q7_YsB/neXJAA/yQLSAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? 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