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| Europe |
| UK, Germany fear Chechen attacks |
| 2004-09-07 |
| Two Western newspapers have highlighted fears of possible attacks by Chechen terrorists outside of Russia. The Chechen warlord linked to the bloodbath at a Russian school had plotted to kill British Prime Minister Tony Blair and is planning new attacks on British soil, a media report said Monday. Chechen militants, led by Shamil Basayev, targeted British Prime Minister Tony Blair for assassination during the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 — a plot that could also have killed the Queen, Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry, a report by a British newspaper claims. Bild am Sonntag has also learnt that German security services now fear Chechen terrorists may attack Russian facilities and embassies abroad. According to findings by the Federal Intelligence Service, the terrorists are being trained in Afghanistan where al-Qaeda has training camps. The Sunday Express also quoted security sources as saying the barbarous slaughter at Beslan is evidence that Basayev is now "out of control" and is a major threat to soft targets in the UK. Counter-terrorism officials have identified an international school in London as a "source of concern". According to the report, it is a likely target because of the number of wealthy Russian students who study there. The "credible" threat to Blair led to a massive increase in security before the royal celebrations in June 2002. However, the Chechen link had been secret until last week's tragic events in Beslan. British security chiefs are also preparing a new warning for airport security that will highlight the potential danger posed by female suicide bombers. This follows the downing of Russian airliners by Chechen terrorists on 24 August. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #3 UK understandable. Otherwise, just typical German drama queens. |
| Posted by: 98zulu 2004-09-07 3:34:49 PM |
| #2 What? Hey you burnt me on oil futures.... can I trust you on anti-semitism? It's likely just anti-zionism anyway... they're different you know. /jeez |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-09-07 1:45:58 PM |
| #1 In terms of the Bush bashing Germans, sometimes it takes being in the thick of it to understand why the one they bash is combating the most severe global threat to mankind since Hitler. But then again when you live a nation which was a two-time world threat and defeated with American armies, it's easy to blame America prior to the real terrorist enemy. Or is there an underlining 3rd reason? The jihadists & their supporters clearly have a vicious hated of Jews & Israel, which remains a very strong undertone among the majority of Germans. |
| Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-09-07 11:41:16 AM |