AFF/TERRORISM/GENERAL

TERRORISTS WILL USE WMD TO KILL AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE

TERRORISTS CONSCIOUSLY SEEK TO KILL MANY PEOPLE

Terrorist attacks be-came more lethal, resulting in higher casualty rates per incident and wholesale destruction (although these were entirely due to conven-tional attacks).23 Instead of seeking to garner publicity or further a dis-tinct political cause, the new perpe-trators of acts of terrorism seem to view the maximization of casualties as a goal in itself.24 Particularly the religious groups associated with apocalyptic millenarianism, re-demptive fanaticism, or racist and ethnic hatred are said to find justifi-cation for their acts of violence in the higher authority of God.25 Be-cause of their belief systems, mass casualties are not an impediment to the furtherance of their goals. Al-though so far such groups have mostly carried out their indiscrimi-nate attacks with conventional ex-plosives, they are said to be more likely than other terrorist groups to cross the political and moral barri-ers to employing CB weapons.

TERRORISTS ARE NOW MORE WILLING TO USE WMD

Simon Tisdall January 13, 2001 The Guardian (London) SECTION: Guardian Home Pages, Pg. 3 HEADLINE: US Military expansion: Fear of attack triggers arms build-up: Rogue states identified in attempt to boost spending //VT2002acsln

Transnational: "The increased availability of dual-use technologies, coupled with the relative ease of producing some chemical and biological agents, has increased concern that use of chemical or biological weapons may become attractive to terrorist groups intent on causing panic or inflicting large numbers of casualties." It singles out the terrorist network led by the Afghanistan-based Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden as a particular threat, linking it to terrorist activity in Bosnia, Chechnya, Sudan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Pakistan and the Philippines.

WMD WILL FIND THEIR WAY INTO THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS

Simon Tisdall January 13, 2001 The Guardian (London) SECTION: Guardian Home Pages, Pg. 3 HEADLINE: US Military expansion: Fear of attack triggers arms build-up: Rogue states identified in attempt to boost spending //VT2002acsln

"Also looming on the horizon is the prospect that terror weapons will increasingly find their way into the hands of individuals and groups of fanatical terrorists or self-proclaimed apocalyptic prophets. The followers of Osama bin Laden have already trained with toxic chemicals," Mr Cohen claimed.

WMD USE BY TERRORISTS LIKE BIN LADEN MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Mark Hosenball and Evan Thomas; February 19, 2001, Newsweek SECTION: INTERNATIONAL; Pg. 32 HEADLINE: Danger: Terror Ahead //VT2002acsln

The growing availability of weapons of mass destruction has added urgency and an element of real dread to the terrorist threat. The government's first witness in the embassy-bombing trial last week alleged that bin Laden and his associates once tried to buy uranium for $1.5 million from some Sudanese black marketers. U.S. prosecutors also allege that at "various times" since 1992 bin Laden and a top associate have tried to purchase components to build a nuclear weapon. It is not at all clear that bin Laden has the technical expertise or the resources to fashion the ultimate terrorist bomb. But some experts caution that the terrorist kingpin could fairly easily build a so-called dirty bomb, a conventional weapon that would shower lethal radioactive material over a wide area. The ingredients of such a bomb--or an equally fearsome biological or chemical weapon--may be for sale on the international black market. Stopping bin Laden from buying--and using--such weapons will take a coordinated and global effort.

TERRORISM IS THE #1 THREAT TO THE USA WORLDWIDE

ANDREW KOCH JDW Staff Reporter February 14, 2001 Jane's Defence Weekly SECTION: HEADLINES; Vol. 35; No. 7 HEADLINE: USA ponders future threats //VT2002acsln

Another significant problem Adm Wilson identified is terrorism, which he said "is the most likely direct threat to US interests worldwide" over the next two years. Tenet said "state sponsored terrorism appears to have declined over the past five years", but noted that less centrally controlled transnational groups "are emerging". These groups, he added, are using advances in information technology to "raise money, spread their dogma, find recruits, and plan operations far afield". Moreover, "some groups are acquiring rudimentary cyber-attack tools" and are seeking WMD production and use information, Tenet explained.

ISLAMIST TERRORIST GROUPS POSE A HUGE THREAT

Daniel Pipes , director of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, April 11, 2001, The Jerusalem Post SECTION: OPINION; Pg. 8 HEADLINE: The new global threat //VT2002acsln

ISLAMIST terrorism has a worldwide reach. Eleven of the 29 groups deemed by the US Department of State to be "foreign terrorist organizations" are Islamist. Likewise, 14 of 21 groups outlawed by the British Home Office for links to terrorist activity abroad are Islamist.

Moreover, what once was the tool of rogue states is now a deeply rooted phenomenon, drawing most of its funding from ordinary Moslems. Stefano Dambruoso, an Italian magistrate who uncovered Islamist networks in his country, notes that "It may seem strange, but apart from proceeds from illegal activity such as drug trafficking, one of the main sources of income for the groups is contributions."

This means, Dambruoso explains, that "Islamic terrorism in Europe is a deeply rooted phenomenon that regenerates itself continuously." This far-reaching sponsorship adds greatly to the reach of Islamist violence.

ISLAMIST GROUPS WITH WMD SPELLS INCREDIBLE DANGER

Daniel Pipes , director of the Philadelphia-based Middle East Forum, April 11, 2001, The Jerusalem Post SECTION: OPINION; Pg. 8 HEADLINE: The new global threat //VT2002acsln

A danger exists that Islamists will acquire weapons of mass destruction, with incalculably dangerous results. Indeed, Osama bin Laden may already possess enriched uranium, a vital component for exploding nuclear bombs.