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Southeast Asia
Captured Abu Sayyaf had chemical weapons guides
2004-05-23
POLICE investigating suspected Abu Sayyaf extremists who were allegedly planning a bombing campaign found literature dealing with chemical weapons in their possession, a top intelligence official said Saturday.

National Security Advisor Norberto Gonzales played down the likelihood that the suspects had acquired the ability to use chemical weapons when they were arrested in March.

Among the items captured from the six suspects in March were "readings on biological and chemical warfare," Gonzales told Agence France-Presse.

He said the documents seized were more of the "anarchist handbook" type readily available from certain publishers, rather than confidential military documents.

"It doesn't mean they have the capability (for chemical weapons) and are already manufacturing them," he said.

The significance of the find is that "it gives us a look into the mental framework of terrorists. What they really want is as many casualties as possible," Gonzales said.

Gonzales denied speculation that the Abu Sayyaf or similar regional terror groups, like the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), might have established a chemical or biological weapons facility in the southern Philippines.
In all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised if they have. There are certainly signs that JI has been trying to do just that and the government cease-fire with the MILF has certainly given them the necessary breathing room to do just that. There were also reports of al-Qaeda planning a chemical attack on Japan back last December.
Posted by:Dan Darling

#1  
These sickos have yet to stage a successful broad-based chemical attack in any western nation.

If in the past attempted chemical terrorism was prevented by security forces, the die-hard jihadists in their demented mindsets feel they must try again.

As long as intelligence continues extracting crucial information about any & all planed attacks plus stops potential terrorist from launching chemical terror attacks, the Islamic radicals will maintain their perfect record .............of failures.
Posted by: Mark Espinola   2004-05-23 4:11:54 AM  

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