Two Men Linked To Both U.K. Plots
Sources Tell CBS News Suspects Recruited By Leader Of Al Qaeda's Iraq Branch
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Play CBS Video Video Glasgow Remains On High Alert The bombing suspects now in British custody were able to enter the U.K. easily because of their status as medical professionals. Mark Phillips reports from Glasgow, where the tension is still high.
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Video U.K. Plot Probe Goes Global With the detention of an eighth suspect in Brisbane, Australia, British authorities believe they now have all the major players in custody in the recent terrorist plot. Sheila MacVicar reports.
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Video Expert On Arrested Doctors Only On The Web: Former British intelligence analyst Crispin Black discusses how doctors arrested in connection with the U.K. terror plot were able to get into the country.
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Dr. Bilal Abdullah, a suspect in the U.K. car bombings plot, is seen being led away by security services from Glasgow Airport on Saturday, June 30. He was arrested after a gas-packed Jeep Cherokee he was in crashed into the airport's main entrance. (CBS/The Mirror)
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A badly burned suspect is arrested after he was stopped by police at Glasgow Airport in Glasgow, Scotland on June 30, 2007. (WPN)
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A blazing Jeep Cherokee crashes into the main terminal building at Glasgow Airport in Glasgow, Scotland on June 30, 2007. (WPN)
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Police arrest a suspect at Glasgow Airport in Glasgow, Scotland on June 30, 2007. Two men tried to escape, with one being badly burned. They were stopped by police and passer-bys. (WPN)
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Mohammed Asha's mother holds a picture of him in Amman, Jordan, Monday July 2, 2007. Asha and his wife were among those arrested by British antiterrorism police hunting those who were behind the attempted car bombings, a police source said on Monday. Asha qualified as a doctor in 2004 in Jordan and is also a registered medical practitioner in Britain. British media said Asha worked at a hospital in central England. (AP Photo/Mohammad abu Ghosh)
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Interactive U.K. Bomb Scares Failed car bombings in London and Scotland put United Kingdom on high alert.
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Photo Essay Scotland Airport Attack Two men ram flaming Jeep into Glasgow Airport terminal.
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Photo Essay London Bomb Scare Police thwart apparent terror attack, defusing car bomb in heart of city.
British intelligence services also believe that the failed car bombings in London and Glasgow bear the fingerprints of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Intelligence sources tell CBS News that the people behind the attempts were directly recruited by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, the present leader of the terror group's Iraq franchise.
Sources say that al-Muhajir recruited people for the plot between 2004 and 2005, while they were living in the Middle East, upon orders from then-al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Al-Muhajir was told to recruit young men who could easily move into Western countries, assimilate and lay low until the time came to attack. Britain has a fast-track visa program for medical students which makes it easier for them to enter the country.
The belief that this small cell of militants was recruited purposely by a major terror organization for their specific qualifications differentiates the group from the cell of "homegrown" attackers who were behind the bloody July 7, 2005 attack that left 52 people dead on London's transport network.
All the suspects now being held are foreign doctors, or health workers who have worked in Britain, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Mark Phillips. For potential terrorists, it was a useful cover.
Not only was it frighteningly easy for the bombers to get into the country, getting the ingredients for their bombs was surprisingly easy as well. They just drove about five miles to their local home improvement store, where they could buy the gas cylinders for about $60 each.
Iraq's national security advisor has been warning American and British authorities that al Qaeda has been infiltrating operatives in Europe, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Sheila MacVicar. And he said that al Qaeda is changing its style, seeking the highly intelligent and well educated — just like the doctors involved in this terror plot.
Sources close to the investigation tell CBS News that two or three arrests were likely to be seen in Britain by the end of the week and that some of the arrests will be of British nationals.
There have been a number of security scares since the failed car bombings, the latest coming Tuesday afternoon with authorities evacuating Terminal 4 at London's Heathrow Airport for five hours.
"A suspect bag was identified shortly before midday in Terminal 4," said a statement released by the British Airports Authority.
"As an extra precaution, it was decided to perform secondary searches on all departing passengers at the aircraft gate," which necessitated the evacuation of the terminal, the statement added. Authorities "stood down" the security situation five hours later and reopened the terminal, according to a later statement from the BAA.
No explosives were found and morning rush hour traffic was soon allowed back through the area.
The eighth arrest confirmed as part of the bomb plot investigation was made Monday in Brisbane, Australia. The 27-year-old man is also a doctor who had been working in Liverpool, England until a few months ago, according to CBS News sources.
Britain's Sky News identified the man as Mohammed Haneef, and reported that was arrested at Brisbane's airport as he attempted to board a flight with a one-way ticket. Sky said officials had refused to confirm reports that Haneef was bound for India, via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More From War On Terror
Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
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See all 203 CommentsPosted by rhs648 at 01:13 AM : Jul 04, 2007
May look great? In ALL LIKLIHOOD?
I can't IMAGINE that in my wildest nightmares!
Made me LOL hysterically.
Especially the American, society and culture is notorious for that. People, regardless whether they Americans, British or Iraqis or wherever in the world are the same. People become criminals too in the process and under the circumstances. That is why it is so important to know what I said before: what has driven these people to do such things, what is their reasoning, the psychological motivation, because we can learn from it. That is what is missing in all these reports. Could one of the news media elucidate and report on this point IN A SERIOUS, INTELLIGENT MANNER ? (I am not responding to sarcastic, abusive remarks. I am looking forward to educated responses from qualified sources)
They operate in a political environment that requires compromise with various factions, so the choices that are eventually made (mostly by Congress) are not necessarily their own."
Posted by tuckerndfw
tuckerndfw-I especially enjoyed your post above and agree with much of what you said. Without the rhetoric and name calling, your arguments are concise and convincing. I, too, feel that LBJ was one of our worst presidents in my lifetime. Welfare, even if well-intended, has probably done more to destroy the black family than anything else in recent history. It took many years, under Clinton, to correct some of the problems. I am not opposed to helping people in need. I am opposed to creating a permanent underclass who have no qualms taking from the system without using the assistance as an opportunity to improve their futures. I am curious why you don't like LBJ.
Do you seriously believe that Islamic terrorists wouldn't exist if the US didn't interfere in other countries' affairs?
Just as the Soviet Union attempted to conquer the world and impose its Communist ideology on us all during the Cold War, Moslems are now trying to do the same by imposing their limb-amputating, raped-women-burning, defecating-on other-religions'-holy-sites "culture" on the civilised world.
The process began after the death of Mohammed with the conquest of North Africa and the Middle East. Subsequent invasions went as far to the east as Indonesia and into south-eastern Europe.
After a temporary lull, they are now resuming this outrageous goal with renewed vigor.
Islamic terrorism will continue until the civilised world recognizes what is happening and adopts a ruthless, uncompromising approach in its dealings with these feral thugs.
Posted by FeelFree1 at 01:35 AM : Jul 04, 2007
I consulted a local fortune teller.
Depends on how many years into the future.
10 years from now, people will be claiming they never voted for or supported Bush (same thing happened to Carter).
20 years from now, people will be unconcerned due to their meager day to day existence on poverty level wages, irrespective of employment.
30 years from now, people will ask, "America? Oh, it was annexed by Mexico and Canada after it's economy totally collapsed."
After which, George Bush will come to be known as the man who destroyed the USA. Of course, Jenna and Barbara will be living in luxurious mansions in Europe thanks to the trust funds Bozo is establishing with his ill gotten gains. (same thing his grandpa did during WW II)
Mission accomplished. The Bush crime family lives on to wreak havoc on some other nation in the future.
Presidents are just one component of our representative government. There were no "great" presidents, nor were there many "bad" presidents.
They operate in a political environment that requires compromise with various factions, so the choices that are eventually made (mostly by Congress) are not necessarily their own.
George Bush is no exception. However, what makes him far worse than others (with whom I'm personally aware) is his use of the "bully pulpit" to incite hatred towards and directed at Muslims. And, his abuse of that same "bully pulpit" to popularize a once obscure band of terrorists. Congress and the voters have no control over what he blathers on about in state of the union addresses, or other public speeches.
However, congress (led by the GOP) is equally culpable for the mess he made in Afghanistan and Iraq. They should have never given him the authority to use the military to "fight terrorists." That is a pointless goal. The military will never defeat "terrorists." Never have, never will.
Iraq is not the only issue, he routinely characterizes others in stark, divisive terms.
Based on my observations, Eisenhower was the "best" (least offensive), and until Bush came along, LBJ was the worst.
Re: "History is written by the "winners."
True. Fortunately, it doesn't look like the Bush pirates will be spending a lot of ink.
Can you imagine the unelected Chimp's face carved into the side of a mountain?
That would be one dumb looking mountain!!!
Posted by rhs648 at 01:13 AM : Jul 04, 2007
Unlike you, I do not have a crystal ball or access to a fortune teller.
Speaking from today, and the events that have transpired under his mismanagement and incompetence, he is the worst president we have ever had.
His legacy of terrorism will live on for at least one generation. The instances you cite of "Muslim problems" is, in part, a direct result of George Bush's incompetence.
History is written by the "winners." It is no reflection on actual events of the period. American history would be recorded far differently if King George had defeated the rebels (terrorists), or the native Americans had repelled the European invasion, or, if the south had "won" the Civil War.
By that, I am not referring to the record of actual major events, I am referring to the characterizations of the participants.
In any event, as it currently stands, based solely on performance, George Bush is the worst president in US history.
He is the worst president in US history, without exception.
Posted by tuckerndfw
Was Abraham Lincoln popular during the Civil War? Certainly not with southerners. He was probably condemned by many northerners for destroying the union. History looks upon Abraham Lincoln very favorably. Was Wilson popular when the United States entered WWI? Eisenhower was booed by many. Historians hold him in high esteem today. Contrary to your beliefs, George Bush may look great to historians of the future. In all liklihood, future historians will look at factors beyond Iraq and rate George Bush much higher than you can imagine.
George Bush is NOT the "first president" to try to combat terrorism. Terrorism is nothing new.
Terrorism has been around since before the Roman Empire burned Jerusalem to the ground in 135 CE due to "Jewish terrorism." Which led to the often whined about "diaspora." Jews and Christians (a Jewish cult) lost control of Jerusalem as a direct result of their terrorism. Ironic they whine so loudly about the same thing they did 2,000 years ago.
George Bush has done more to incite and inflame potential terrorists than anyone in modern times. Terrorism is a tactic, it is not an enemy. The military will never defeat terrorists. Never have, never will.
George Bush is al qaida's number one recruiter. Without him, they would have to hire someone to promote their agenda.
He is the worst president in US history, without exception.
Bush is currently bringing over the first wave of Iraqi refugees. That's "first wave" with many more to come.Right into the heartland.
Thanks, George. Your stupidity and duplicity will live through the ages.
The enemy within, brought to you by King George, the stupid.
Posted by vancouverboo
Unless I am mistaken, other countries such as England, France, and Russia have problems with Muslims. Look at the train bombings in Spain. The Muslim threat is everywhere--the middle east, Africa, and the western world. Memories of Americans being held hostage in Iran while Jimmy Carter was president are clear in the minds of those of us who lived during that period in history. The Muslim threat grows every year. It is absurd to blame George Bush for the Muslim threat in America. Only a consiracy theorist could believe that Geoge Bush caused 9/11. If anything, he took a stand in the sand, for which he is paying dearly in terms of low popularity. Previous presidents didn't have the "balls" to try and stop terrorism.
Thanks, George. Your stupidity and duplicity will live through the ages.
The enemy within, brought to you by King George, the stupid.
Posted by vancouverboo
Unless I am mistaken, other countries such as England, France, and Russia have problems with Muslims. Look at the train bombings in Spain. The Muslim threat is everywhere--the middle east, Africa, and the western world. Memories of Americans being held hostage in Iran while Jimmy Carter was president are clear in the minds of those of us who lived during that period in history. The Muslim threat grows every year. It is absurd to blame George Bush for the Muslim threat in America. Only a consiracy theorist could believe that Geoge Bush caused 9/11. If anything, he took a stand in the sand, for which he is paying dearly in terms of low popularity. Previous presidents didn't have ther "balls" to try and stop terrorism.
And of course the usual terrorist butt-kissers on this board are out blaming us again. Its strange how incredibly self-destructive we westerners have become since muslims came into our countries in droves.
I'm just waiting for Rosie O'Donnell to come out and claim (to the recent UK attack) "this is the first time in history a steel car has ever melted from a fire!"
Posted by rhs648
like your syntax and grammer - as Casper so discreetly asks; are you american???? Maybe israeli?
Posted by neoconRcrazy
neoconRcrazy - Unless I missed something, I believe Casper10X was asking Toldyous if he is American. In any event, I was born and raised in America. I attended public school and then college in America. I am not Israeli or in any way affiliated with Israel. I live on the east coast and have been self-employed for the past 20 years. In my youth, I considered myself a liberal. As I got older, my views changed. Today, I lean toward conservatism. Hopefully, this has answered your question.
Thousands of US soldiers have lost their lives;
Thousands of US contractors have lost their lives;
Thousands (tens, hundreds?) of unarmed, non-combatant Afghanis and Iraqis have been murdered by US and UK forces.
Tens of thousands of US personnel have been injured, physically and/or emotionally;
The US is operating the only (known) concentration camp currently in existence;
Afghanistan has risen from insignificant to non-existent poppy production under the Taliban to being the number one producer of poppy (poppy is used to produce heroin);
Most of Afghanistan (other than the oil pipeline route and the poppy fields) is still controlled by the Taliban;
Iraq has been converted from a secular dictatorship into a Muslim extremist dictatorship;
The price of oil has risen over 300%, thereby further enriching Bush and his cronies;
The US military has been decimated by Bush regime incompetence;
Al qaida has gone from relative obscurity to now being a household name. And, has potential terrorist wannabes lining up for miles. Al qaida spends no money on recruitment, they have Bush & supporters doing it for them;
and,
for all the above (and much, much more), it has only cost US taxpayers one trillion (with a T) dollars and still counting.
George Bush is the most incompetent and corrupt president in US history. His supporters are either criminals or morons, possibly both.
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