2001-09-12
U.S. State Department warns Americans to travel with caution, keep
(APW_ENG_20010912.1896)
1) The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution for Americans abroad on Wednesday.
2) The warning cautions travelers to treat all packages with suspicion, keep a low-profile and keep their vehicles locked at all times.
3) ``We continue to be concerned about information we received in May 2001 that American citizens may be the target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links to Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaida organization,'' the State Department said in a statement.
4) The worldwide warning is rare and only used after major terror attacks.



2001-10-04
RETRANSMITTING to restore points 10 and 11. Text of the British summary of evidence against Osama bin Laden
(APW_ENG_20011004.1726)
1) The following is the full text of the summary of evidence against Osama bin Laden in U.S. terrorist attacks, released Thursday by the British government:
2) RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TERRORIST ATROCITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, 11 SEPTEMBER 2001
3) INTRODUCTION
4) 1. The clear conclusions reached by the government are:
5) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida, the terrorist network which he heads, planned and carried out the atrocities on 11 September 2001;
6) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida retain the will and resources to carry out further atrocities;
7) the United Kingdom, and United Kingdom nationals are potential targets; and
8) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida were able to commit these atrocities because of their close alliance with the Taliban regime, which allowed them to operate with impunity in pursuing their terrorist activity.
9) 2. The material in respect of 1998 and the USS Cole comes from indictments and intelligence sources. The material in respect of 11 September comes from intelligence and the criminal investigation to date. The details of some aspects cannot be given, but the facts are clear from the intelligence.
10) 3. The document does not contain the totality of the material known to Her Majesty's Government, given the continuing and absolute need to protect intelligence sources.
11) SUMMARY
12) 4. The relevant facts show:
13) Background
14) Al-Qaida is a terrorist organization with ties to a global network, which has been in existence for over 10 years. It was founded, and has been led at all times, by Osama bin Laden.
15) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida have been engaged in a jihad against the United States, and its allies. One of their stated aims is the murder of U.S. citizens, and attacks on America's allies.
16) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida have been based in Afghanistan since 1996, but have a network of operations throughout the world. The network includes training camps, warehouses, communication facilities and commercial operations able to raise significant sums of money to support its activity. That activity includes substantial exploitation of the illegal drugs trade from Afghanistan.
17) Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida and the Taliban regime have a close and mutually dependent alliance. Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida provide the Taliban regime with material, financial and military support. They jointly exploit the drugs trade. The Taliban regime allows bin Laden to operate his terrorist training camps and activities from Afghanistan, protects him from attacks from outside, and protects the drugs stockpiles. Osama bin Laden could not operate his terrorist activities without the alliance and support of the Taliban regime. The Taliban's strength would be seriously weakened without Osama bin Laden's military and financial support.
18) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida have the capability to execute major terrorist attacks.
19) Osama bin Laden has claimed credit for the attack on U.S. soldiers in Somalia in October 1993, which killed 18; for the attack on the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998 which killed 224 and injured nearly 5,000; and were linked to the attack on the USS Cole on 12 October 2000, in which 17 crew members were killed and 40 others injured.
20) They have sought to acquire nuclear and chemical materials for use as terrorist weapons.
21) In relation to the terrorist attacks on 11 September
22) 5. After 11 September we learned that, not long before, bin Laden had indicated he was about to launch a major attack on America. The detailed planning for the terrorist attacks of 11 September was carried out by one of Osama bin Laden's close associates. Of the 19 hijackers involved in 11 September 2001, it has already been established that at least three had links with al-Qaida. The attacks on 11 September 2001 were similar in both their ambition and intended impact to previous attacks undertaken by Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida, and also had features in common. In particular:
23) Suicide attackers
24) 1.Coordinated attacks on the same day
25) 2.The aim to cause maximum American casualties
26) 3.Total disregard for other casualties, including Muslim
27) Meticulous long-term planning
28) 1.Absence of warning.
29) 6. Al-Qaida retains the capability and the will to make further attacks on the U.S. and its allies, including the United Kingdom.
30) 7. Al-Qaida gives no warning of terrorist attack.
31) THE FACTS
32) Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida
33) 8. In 1989 Osama bin Laden, and others, founded an international terrorist group known as ``al-Qaida'' (the Base). At all times he has been the leader of al-Qaida.
34) 9. From 1989 until 1991 Osama bin Laden was based in Afghanistan and Peshawar, Pakistan. In 1991 he moved to Sudan, where he stayed until 1996. In that year he returned to Afghanistan, where he remains.
35) The Taleban Regime
36) 10. The Taleban emerged from the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan in the early 1990s. By 1996 they had captured Kabul. They are still engaged in a bloody civil war to control the whole of Afghanistan. They are led by Mullah Omar.
37) 11. In 1996 Osama Bin Laden moved back to Afghanistan. He established a close relationship with Mullah Omar, and threw his support behind the Taleban. Osama Bin Laden and the Taleban regime have a close alliance on which both depend for their continued existence. They also share the same religious values and vision.
38) MORE



2002-11-04
New warning of terror issued by U.S. State Department
(APW_ENG_20021104.0483)
1) The U.S. State Department reminded Americans of the potential for further terrorist attacks on U.S. citizens in the Middle East, Persian Gulf and North Africa as a Palestinian suicide attacker killed an Israeli civilian and wounded 11 in central Israel.
2) Department spokesman Richard Boucher cited reports that Islamic Jihad, an extremist organization designed by the department as a terror group, had claimed responsibility.
3) ``We obviously condemn these kinds of activities in the strongest possible terms,'' Boucher said Monday.
4) The reminder to Americans advised vigilance and caution. The statement said the groups that might attack Americans were not limited to al-Qaida terrorist network.
5) In citing recent attacks, the statement said Laurence Foley, the U.S. Agency for International Development official killed in Jordan last week, was a victim of terrorism.
6) The department had not previously made the accusation, saying it was up to Jordanian investigators to determine the circumstances of his slaying outside his home in Amman.
7) Private U.S. citizens also may be targeted, the statement said.
8) U.S. government facilities around the world remain in a state of heightened alert, the department said.



2002-11-20
Threats by bin Laden prompt new alert for Americans worldwide
(APW_ENG_20021120.0763)
1) The latest threats by Osama bin Laden prompted the State Department to issue a worldwide caution for Americans everywhere.
2) The department on Wednesday said Americans need to remain vigilant to a continuing terror threat that could target civilians.
3) Citing new threats by bin Laden released last week, the department said groups linked to his al-Qaida organization posed an increased risk of terrorist attacks.
4) They may include suicide bombings and kidnappings, the statement said. ``These individuals have proved they do not distinguish between official and civilian targets,'' the department added.
5) In a separate statement, the department said it was concerned that an attack similar to the one in Bali, Indonesia, last month may occur in other Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia.
6) It said the Jemaah Islamiyah, which is believed to have links with al-Qaida, and other extremist groups in the region have demonstrated capabilities to carry out attacks where Westerners congregate.
7) The Jemaah Islamiyah, which has cells throughout Southeast Asia, is believed responsible for the Oct. 12 blast in Bali that killed nearly 200 people, mostly Western tourists.
8) The worldwide caution cited the attack in Bali and another in Kuwait as a basis for concern.
9) Also, the department said, terrorists could retaliate for the execution in Virginia last Thursday of Aimal Khan Kasi, a Pakistani national, for the 1993 murder of two employees of the Central Intelligence Agency.
10) U.S. government facilities around the world remain in a state of high alert, the statement said.
11) Residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, resorts and beaches were listed as potential targets. _ _ =
12) On the Net:
13) State Department: http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html



2004-03-19
State Department says Americans face a continuing threat
(APW_ENG_20040319.0833)
1) The State Department updated its warnings about the security of U.S. citizens overseas, saying there are continued indications that the al-Qaida terror network is preparing to attack U.S. facilities abroad.
2) 'We also cannot rule out that al-Qaida will attempt a catastrophic attack within the U.S.,'' the department said Friday, repeating a warning that it has made before.
3) Al-Qaida and its affiliates have struck most recently in the Middle East and Europe, the statement noted. ``But other geographic locations could also be venues for attack.''
4) The department warned U.S. citizens to maintain a high degree of vigilance.
5) Earlier, the agency renewed a reminder to U.S. citizens that anti-American violence, including terror strikes, posed a potential threat in the Middle East and North Africa.
6) The department said, ``Credible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East.''
7) These may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings, the department said.



2005-03-08
State Department renews warning to Americans
(APW_ENG_20050308.1202)
1) Americans around the world were cautioned anew Tuesday that they faced a terror threat and advised to take precautions.
2) In a worldwide notice, the State Department registered what it called deep concern and said the al Qaida network continues to prepare to strike American interests abroad.
3) Future attacks by the network run by Osama bin Laden could involve chemical or biological agents as well as explosive devices and other conventional weapons of terror.
4) Besides assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings, terrorist action may involve aviation and other transportation facilities, the statement said.
5) It replaces a similar worldwide caution released last September and expires next Sept. 7.
6) While Americans usually are not the targets of riots and demonstrations, they can be caught up in them and should take care, the statement said.
7) Americans were advised to be on alert in residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels and other areas where people usually congregate.
8) No specific information about potential attacks was provided by the department.



2005-08-02
State Department issues terror caution for Americans worldwide
(APW_ENG_20050802.1116)
1) Americans around the world remain under threat of attack from al-Qaida and groups associated with Osama bin Laden's terror network, the State Department said Tuesday.
2) Current information suggests attacks are being planned in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the department said in a statement designed to heighten vigilance.
3) The bombings last month in London and in March 2004 in Madrid, Spain, are reminders that terrorists may strike at public transportation systems, the department said. It said extremists also might target aircraft or ships.
4) Turmoil in Iraq is likely to pose a potential trigger for violence against Americans, and elections scheduled next month in Afghanistan also might spark anti-American activities, the statement said.
5) In issuing the worldwide caution, the department said its purpose was to bring information on a continuing threat up to date. The last worldwide caution was issued in March.



2005-12-13
State Department renews warning of potential terror threat
(APW_ENG_20051213.0035)
1) The State Department has renewed a warning it issued in August that Americans and U.S. interests overseas face a continuing threat of terrorist action.
2) The department "remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks," a statement Monday said.
3) The al-Qaida network continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, it said.