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| Down Under |
| Bush 'potential NZ terror target' |
| 2007-10-21 |
| US President George W. Bush was listed as a potential target by people arrested in the anti-terror raids in New Zealand. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Opposition Leader John Key were also listed as possible targets, the Sunday-Times, quoting intelligence sources, said. President Bush and his wife, Laura, were expected to make a brief visit to New Zealand at the conclusion of APEC in September. US Embassy spokeswoman Janine Burns would not comment on whether the potential threat to Mr Bush was a factor in his decision not to visit. The police operation, which saw 17 people arrested, followed a 22-month investigation into alleged terrorist training camps in New Zealand. The operation has been treated with widespread scepticism by the public. Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the public should not make judgements until the full facts of the case emerged. He said the operation had been "triggered by credible intelligence of a serious threat to New Zealand's safety and security" and was a reality check for people who considered homegrown terrorism to be laughable. But the Herald on Sunday said activist Jamie Lockett claimed incriminating text and phone messages had been deliberately sent to wind up police who had been bugging his phone. During a bail hearing for Lockett last week, prosecutors said he had sent a series of text messages saying he intended to launch a war. The messages, intercepted by police, were said to include "White men are going to die in this country" and "I'm declaring war on this country very soon." During the raids, police seized several weapons, including AK-47s, and other military equipment. Most of those arrested face firearms charges with police considering whether further charges will be laid under anti-terrorism laws. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #2 DER SPIEGEL > PAKISTAN + BHUTTO > Interview - AFTER THIS ATTACK, MAY NOT BE ANY ELECTION CAMPAIGN. Portents for Dubya vv Iran??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-10-21 21:34 |
| #1 NO surpise here. FREEREPUBLIC > CHENEY > We WILL NOT ALLOW Iran to have a nuclear bomb. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-10-21 20:42 |