Snowballing terror spree sparks worldwide concern

[dArKeR]

AP , MANILA
Wednesday, Apr 07, 2004,Page 6

Religious edicts from al-Qaeda leaders and anger over the US occupation of Iraq are more likely behind a rash of bombings around the world than direct orders from Osama bin Laden's organization, government officials and terrorism experts say.

And the string of blasts -- from Madrid to Tashkent to Manila -- may be fueling momentum for more attacks from like-minded terror groups, raising concerns for the US handover in Iraq, the Athens Olympics and upcoming elections in Europe, Asia and the US.

Officials said they likely averted major bombings with arrests and confiscations of TNT in Manila and 450kg of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer compound frequently used as a bomb ingredient, in London.

There's no evidence of a worldwide terror organization or that al-Qaeda is calling the shots, perhaps even setting off the wave of violence with key words or phrases in messages from the network's top leaders, officials and terrorism experts said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/04/07/2003124547

[sam sarrha]

1. well we got them where we want them.. dont we..??

:shrug: :tinfoilhat: :spank:

[TahitiNut]

2. al-Qaeda and bin Laden are more about funding than 'control'

People speak of these proto-organizations like they're corporations or military organizations. I don't think they are. I think they're based almost solely on funding and resourcing. Bin Laden provides money. I cannot see him planning, scheduling, staffing, coordinating, or executing the attacks through agents. I think people come to him for facilitation. What the Busholinis have done is create a far broader array of such funding sources as well as a far greater number of people with motivation, imho. Never before has asymmetrical conflict (i.e. 'terrorism') been so broadly seen as the last resort for oppressed peoples.

The nature of conflict between peoples is changing from a solely regional/tribal focus to an amorphous economic focus: rich against poor, empowered against disenfranchised. The poor cannot afford B-1 bombers and cruise missiles. Thus we have asymmetry in conflict. That nations (or their 'leadership') exploit these conflicts does not indicate an alliance with the ultimate goals of any side. It merely indicates a synergistic interest in the conflict itself, and only while convenient.

[chelaque liberal]

3. anger over the US occupation of Iraq

are more likely behind a rash of bombings around the world than direct orders from Osama bin Laden's organization, government officials and terrorism experts say.

Bush is certainly making the world a safer place.

Hey Dubya, how is that war on terra going?

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Yet we're still at yellow alert?

I guess there aren't any big protests scheduled. Plus with the election coming up and W's poll numbers dropping like a rock, it just wouldn't be prudent at this time.