Dawn Of Terrorism In Africa?
Although most Americans probably had heard of Kenya and Tanzania before Aug. 7, they are not headline nations in Africa. One reason: They have been virtually free of terrorism.
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Kenya has had internal opposition. There have been a lot of student riots and labor demonstrations. The government is not popular and it is unstable. But all dissent is internal; there is no sense of anti-Americanism there, no sense that Americans would ever be a target, reports CBS News Correspondent Allen Pizzey.
But to a terrorist who wanted to target U.S. embassies, Kenya and Tanzania would be considered likely targets because they are near Indian Ocean ports, and explosives might be more easily smuggled into the country.
Kenya has a corrupt customs and immigration service. Paying bribes might be an easy way to get officials to look the other way.
Do the explosions signal the spread into Africa of Middle Eastern terrorism? Not really, reports Pizzey. Sudan is popular among terrorists, but Sudan is thought of more as part of the Arab world than African.
Years ago, Liberia used to use American dollars and, during that time, a lot of Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) money was funneled through Palestinian ex-patriots, who were shopkeepers and businessmen. It was a money-laundering place.
Nigeria is notorious for drug smuggling and money laundering.
But, reports Pizzey, the African continent had not ever been associated with any kind of major terrorism.
Pizzey also reports that British troops, who have been helping to train the Kenyan army, have been brought to the site of the Nairobi explosion to supply life-saving equipment.
Reported by Allen Pizzey