UK News
British police hold seven as terror probe gathers pace (Roundup)
Jul 2, 2007, 13:19 GMT
Two British police officers on special duties at Paddington Station west London, 2 July 2007. The British government has increased security across Britain since the unsuccessful car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow at the weekend. EPA/ANDY RAIN
London - Seven terrorism suspects, said to include two medical doctors, were being held in Britain Monday in a fast-moving operation to track down the perpetrators of three attempted car bombings in London and Glasgow at the end of last week.
The arrest Monday of two men in Paisley, near Glasgow, brought to seven the number of suspects held by police since two foiled car bombings in London and a dramatic attempt to drive a blazing Jeep into Glasgow airport Saturday.
Police have said that none of the suspects are British, as unconfirmed reports claimed that two of the men are believed to be hospital doctors of Middle East origin.
Britain remains on a 'critical' state of terror alert, the highest grade possible, after the attempted attacks, which started off with a Mercedes car filled with petrol, gas and nails, parked outside a busy London nightclub in the early hours of last Friday.
Officers were able to defuse the device after being alerted to a 'smouldering car' by members of an ambulance crew which happened to be in the central London area, at Haymarket, at the time.
Hours later, police were able to defuse a second Mercedes car bomb in a vehicle wghich had been parked nearby before being towed to a compound after receiving a ticket for being parked illegally.
On Saturday afternoon, two men drove a blazing Jeep into the main airport terminal building at Glasgow, Scotland, in an attempted attack linked to the events in London a day earlier, police said.
The arrest Monday of two men, aged 28 and 25, in Paisley, near Glasgow, was the result of 'intensive police operations' in the town, police said.
Meanwhile, it emerged that police in Scotland appeared to have had prior information of the planned attack on Glasgow airport, in which no one was injured, but one of the attackers suffered serious burns.
Officers had tried to contact an estate agent who let a house to one of the Jeep suspects, only 10 minutes before the attack, reports by the BBC and the Press Association said.
The Let-In estate agent was traced from a mobile phone number found during the search of the vehicles used in the attempted attacks in London, sources said.
But the owner of the letting agency, Daniel Gardiner, was only able to respond to police efforts to contact him two hours later - after the attempted attack had happened.
Gardiner said Monday that his tenant - one of the two men in the Jeep during the dramatic attempt - was a doctor who had been seen wearing a stethoscope.
He believed that his tenant, who rented the house only two months ago, worked at the Royal Alexandra hospital in Paisley, where the driver of the Jeep is being treated for serious burns.
Police Sunday carried out a controlled explosion on a car in the hospital car park which it said was linked to the investigations, and on Monday officers were seen cordoning off doctors' living quarters at the hospital.
There was also speculation Monday that one of the men involved in the Glasgow attempt may have driven one of the Mercedes saloon car bombs to the West End of London.
Police in Scotland said the two men involved in the attempted Jeep attack 'came to Scotland a short while ago to seek work.'
Police have so far declined to comment on the background and nationality of the suspects, except to say that none was British.
Such a development would turn the media spotlight away from British-born Muslims, who had initially been suspected of being behind the failed attacks, and who are held responsible for the transport suicide bombings in London two years ago, with 52 dead.
It would, however, also mark a departure from so-called 'home- grown' terrorism in Britain to a new scenario marked by the 'import of car bomb terror tactics' from Iraq and Afghanistan, security sources have said.
Reports said a 26-year-old man arrested Saturday evening on a motorway in Cheshire, north-west England, was a neurologist who had just taken up a job at the North Staffordshire Hospital, in Stoke-on- Trent, in the English Midlands.
His wife, 27, wearing Muslim dress, was also arrested as the couple was stopped in a dramatic motorways hunt, with their two-year- old son travelling with them.
Peter Clarke, the head of Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism unit, has said the results in the fast-moving probe were 'changing hourly.'
Sources said the police had a 'goldmine' of information at their disposal, given that the three vehicles used in the failed attacks remained relatively unscathed, and that ample CCTV footage and DNA material was available.
Britain's new Home Secretary Jacqui Smith insisted Monday that it was 'not just luck' that no one was killed or injured in the three failed car bombings in London and Glasgow.
'I don't think it is luck, I think it is members of the public keeping an eye out, I think it is incredibly brave police officers and explosives officers, I think it is intelligence that is looked at very carefully,' she told breakfast television.
Asked about reports that US Intelligence had recently warned Britain that Glasgow, in Scotland, could be a target, Smith said she was 'not certain.'
'One of the things I decided to do in this job is not to talk about things that I'm not certain about,' said Smith, who is expected to make a statement in parliament later Monday.
She took over the job of Home Secretary (interior minister) last Thursday.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Who are you apologising to? The only one hurt in this attack was one of the nut cases that tried to carry it out. And to think that if we had only stayed out of Iraq everything would be ducky is childish. I say, here's to the brave Brits and job well done.
Does anyone know what the idiot above is talking about ?
Masquerading as a concerned American ?
Killing Spanish tourists.
This is about Islam taking over the world.
Question
Is the American above a Muslim American?
Islamic flag over the White House and all - right ?
It is naïve to believe that the War in Iraq is the primary cause of such acts of terror. The primary cause is a form of religious extremism. Those in the West who have no real knowledge of religious fundamentalism are increasingly opting for the more easily understood ‘war in Iraq’ excuse. It is simply not true. If there were no war in Iraq these extremists would still be targeting the West.
Within days after 911, I thought that President Bush would secure all our borders, and ports, with the military. But instead of securing our country, he sent the country into war, so we could wipe out terrorism. I knew at the time, it was a waste of time, because there will always be people out there with pure hatred, that will do anything to hurt others. Now we have more proof than ever, 2 Doctors, these are well educated people, who are supposed to save lives, not take them, and I am sure there are others with the same hate, waiting to take the Doctors place's.
We cannot wipe out the terrorist, it will always be there, but we can do a better job of protecting ourselves from them, without taking more of our freedoms away from us. Because we already have a military, the cost for our country to move troops to our borders, and ports would be very low. And there is a plus side, we can stop illegal immigration, which would probably help the illegals that are already here, become citizens. The fact is, it is a WIN, WIN situation for all
It is time that we put pressure on our government, and the president, to start protecting our country, and not a year from now, or eight years from now, 'BUT TODAY.'
Even in the US there is talk of allowing educated people the automatic right to work in that country. I always thought that the terrorists would just use that as a loop hole.
And it seems that they have - here in Britain.
We can secure the borders all we want - but if institutions like the NHS are just going to allow anyone in – then the terrorist are given a free pass – to set up terror cells in the UK or western nation.
To the clue-challenged Apologetic One:
It's possible we'd have done well to save Iraq for a better time, though I submit we'd have had to deal with it sooner or later.
But to suggest the terror attacks wouldn't happen is naive in the extreme. Al Qaeda has spent the past decade and more training thousands of operatives. Do you suppose their plan all along was to wait for some American action before they set to work?
Iran and Syria have spent decades developing the situation in Lebanon. Hamas and Hezbollah are both largely products of long-term Iranian finance and influence. Had they all intended to do nothing unless Iraq were attacked? How stupid would we be to believe so?
And there are numerous other players, numerous other 'fronts' in this conflict, virtually all centering upon radical Islamism which dates back CENTURIES.
The situation we now face is not a product of American action in Iraq, nor indeed anywhere. It is a product of long-term planning and long-term fundamentalism that pre-dates any one administration, any one conflict.
Just in an attempt to address the isolationist/protectionist view; this has never and will never work. We must go after the terrorists wherever they may be, undermine and remove regimes which support these groups and oppose the extremist with all the force we can muster. Civilized societies must recognize the intolerance of these groups and not seek to excuse it.
My brothers.. Let me apologise for the actions of my government in continuing to support the Islamic Revolution, and the Export of the Islamic Revolution. This inhumane and dogmatic approach has result in death, injury, misery, fear and reductions in freedoms for millions, no hundreds of millions of people, from Iran itself, through to Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Chechnya and yes, even America and Western Europe. Unfortunately, so long as we are ruled by relgious bigots we have no choice but to continue along this path. Too bad for all of us and our children and their children. They are all expendable in the pursuit of the Islamic Caliphate, especially the non believers, and even the ones with whom we might make temporary alliances of convenience.
If we let these holy huts take over our world
We could forget about everything that is normal - like technology.
Every woman would have to wear black - as God intended.
Although the men may still be able to wear Western clothes – men are special.
Though to clear up the matter with those in the Middle East
Why don't we just send them a couple of camels?
This is traditionally and according to the Shari’a is the best way to sort out problems between warring families - i.e. warring worlds.
Again it needs to be pointed out America does not act alone and never has acted alone . Canada and Australia and many other countires also ' attacked Iraq ' , more than once .
Most of us Canadians are clueless and uneducated as has been demonstrated over and over again by Government and Private institutions .
On behalf of the millions of sound thinking Americans, I’d like to apologize for the embarrassing comments of the Apologetic American. If anyone has rallied the terrorists, it’s the statements of Reid, Durbin, Pelosi and other Democrats who have said that we have lost the war or compared our troops operations to that of the Nazis. These are all part of an embarrassing group of “Americans” that would place their party power above the safety and future of America or if your prefer, they’re just ignorant. Let's see, if we get out of Iraq, they won't blow us up. It seems that they like to target night clubs too. So let's close down Las Vegas and all of our night clubs. Probably Disney and theme parks across the US should be closed, too much fun going on there. They don't seem to like Christians and Jews.....hmmmm. I wonder what else we can do to accommodate them.
all around a pig's ass is pork
The first attempt to blow up the Twin Towers was in 1993, long before the current Iraq war.
Today innocent tourists were killed in the Yemen, by a suicide bomber. Never mind all the attacks in-between, the Bali bombing, Madrid, the attacks on artists and on writers. Were all these done, in protest of American foreign policy in Iraq?
It is clear, that there is a consistent global attempt to ruin everything non-Muslim and allow their suppressive vision of Islam rule the world.
We are becoming like abused wives under Islam – who justify their beatings and abuse – just as we try to explain away the underlying reality of these jihadi attacks.
With Islam comes terrorism, period. The 'prophet' of Islam initiated 75 terrorist attacks so today's Jihadists are just following his example.
Maybe when the Muslims kill millions of Brits with a dirty bomb England will finally outlaw this murderous cult, as they did with the Nazi party. Shame so many will have to die before they finally wake up though...
'Salmond emphasised the need to protect and cushion Scotland's large, mainly Pakistani community from unfair attention.'
Thank you, Salmond. I guess we're just going to have to wait and see if they attack us or not, like good Muslim Jihadists.
'there is no such deed as equals Jihad in reward.'(Bukhari:V4B52N44)
America was attacked on 9/11 and we had not started any war with Iraq. Further, liberals are fond of saying that Al Queda was never in Iraq.
It's time to pick a side. Sooner or later, you're going to have to. Time to revisit Churchill.
We appologise to the whole world because we in USA created the Bin Laden and his crowd to fight Russians. We trained them and now they attack when our president needs his popularity to go up. These stupid pawns do not understand that Al Qaidah is our house servant, their leadrship is at our will.
'We appologise[sic] to the whole world because we in USA created the Bin Laden and his crowd to fight Russians. '
Firstly, we did not 'create' bin laden or even al Quida.
Secondly this 'We' crap is pathetic, because you have posted all over this site as a shiite islamist from Iran who is currently a filthy parasite in the UK. You are not fooling anyone.
Thirdly, your miserable monkey ass should be deported to the 3rd world hell hole that you crawled out of because you make anyone accustomed to living in decent civilization sick to their stomach.
Just get copies of 9/11,12,13/01, CNN and FOX news copies and watch again, may be you won't stay that ignorant.
BUT YOUR IGNORANCE WILL NOT BE LIFTED, YOU WILL SAY SUN RISES AT NIGHT
'Just get copies of 9/11,12,13/01'
I was there. That might have something to do with my revulsion with you animals.
I guess it is time to revisiit history because this debate is quickly degenerating into mudslinging and insults .Without a proper historical perspactive nothing is understandable ,the result in failing to do so is just blaming a religion or a paricular group of people .AS if any solution would be found in such nonsense .Those who claims Islam or Arabs are to blame without any need of further explanation probably picked their noses during history lclass when the crusades or the conquista were taught .I know a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then but these events only serve to demonstrate that all religions can degenerate into barbarism given the right circumstances .So it is the historical context that will help analyse a situation,not simplistic branding .THat only accounts for demonstrating the sheer lack of understanding historical facts from those using insults.
Fact is that terrorism is a reasonably recent tactic.It has perhaps allways existed but it seemed to have grown in western media since the seventies .Un fortunately nobody will be able to explain this growth in an article or a debate below any article .So get back to some good litterature.Get out of propaganda,nationalism,spin and read some serious books on the matter .
Learn to see the world through other people's eyes and dont allways accept what your leaders tell you as gospel .Changing perspective is allways good for understanding.
You cannot fight a war or have any hope of winning unless you know what the enemy is. The enemy is not Bin Laden, Abu Hamsa,the Ayatollahs, Ahmadinejad etc, they are merely soldiers, the enemy is Islam itself.
To defeat this enemy we do not have to invade nations, and slaughter thousands we merely need to broadcast the truth about Islam. The whole of Islam is founded on the word of one man and that man is cerainly a very unsavoury character and if he was alive today in the West he would be spending the rest of his life in jail.
Here in the UK there is censorship on criticism of Islam which in my opinion is a very bad policy and can only make things worse. In the USA you have more freedoms and the internet is Islams biggest enemy because it overides censorship. Islam will never be defeated unless it is open to criticism. It's entire philosophy relies on the word of one man. Ridecule that man and show him up for what he was and Islam has no foundation and nothing can survive without a foundation.
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Apologetic AmericanJul 2nd, 2007 - 14:41:13
On behalf of quite a few million Americans I would like to send my condolences to the families hurt by this affair. I believe that the war going on in the middle east has exacerbated the extremists to this level of inhumanity. If it weren't for the sillyness of our military direction this crazyness may have been avoided and instead a heated conversation may have been an end to the knighting situation. Once more, from millions across the sea your pain is felt and we are praying for you.
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