"Using his membership in a prestigious scientific organization to gain access, Rauf traveled through Europe on a quest, officials say, to obtain both anthrax spores and the equipment needed to turn them into highly lethal biological weapons." Wouldn't it be a good idea for such scientific organizations to begin at least attempting to screen prospective members for adherence to the jihad ideology? But of course, no one is considering such measures. To do so would (somehow) constitute "bigotry."
"Suspect and A Setback In Al-Qaeda Anthrax Case: Scientist With Ties To Group Goes Free," by Joby Warrick in the Washington Post, with thanks to Jeffrey Imm:
In December 2001, as the investigation into the U.S. anthrax attacks was gathering steam, coalition soldiers in Afghanistan uncovered what appeared to be an important clue: a trail of documents chronicling an attempt by al-Qaeda to create its own anthrax weapon.The documents told of a singular mission by a scientist named Abdur Rauf, an obscure, middle-aged Pakistani with alleged al-Qaeda sympathies and an advanced degree in microbiology.
Documents seized by U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2001 included letters from a Pakistani scientist to al-Qaeda's No. 2 commander, Ayman al-Zawahiri. The scientist, identified by U.S. and Pakistani officials as Abdur Rauf, traveled through Europe in search of anthrax spores and bioweapons equipment. The result of his work for al-Qaeda remains unclear.
Using his membership in a prestigious scientific organization to gain access, Rauf traveled through Europe on a quest, officials say, to obtain both anthrax spores and the equipment needed to turn them into highly lethal biological weapons. He reported directly to al-Qaeda's No. 2 commander, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and in one document he appeared to signal a breakthrough.
"I successfully achieved the targets," he wrote cryptically to Zawahiri in a note in 1999.
Precisely what Rauf achieved may never be known with certainty. That's because U.S. officials remain stymied in their nearly five-year quest to bring charges against a man who they say admitted serving as a top consultant to al-Qaeda on anthrax -- a claim that makes him one of a handful of people linked publicly to the group's effort to wage biological warfare against Western targets.
Rauf, 47, has been under scrutiny in Pakistan since he was detained there for questioning in late 2001, according to U.S. and Pakistani officials who agreed to talk about the case for the first time. But officially he remains free, and Pakistan now says it has no grounds for arrest. Last year, in an acknowledgment of the impasse in its four-year joint investigation with Pakistan, the FBI officially put the case on inactive status.
"We will never close the door, but the chances of getting him into the United States are slim to none," said one U.S. intelligence official, who, like others, agreed to discuss the case on the condition that he not be identified by name.
Makes one wonder if the West shouldn't stoop to this level of warfare. Heaven knows those bastards wouldn't hesitate to use such weapons if they had HALF A CHANCE.
I am reminded of how the Mossad allegedly took care of Gerald Bull.
Maybe he shouldn't be arrested. Maybe if he's found, the good soldier would be this potential murderer's judge, jury and executioner. I agree with Islamsforlosers, we should fight fire with fire. Let God sort them out.
But I thought it was the white guy, that is what they thought (loose interpretation) at the time, just like the beltway sniper was supposed to be a lone Anglo. It is happening everywhere, the recent lettuce poisoning. How did it get as far as it did? Must be all those vegetable picking Anglo terrorists I keep hearing about. In addition, they think they have a suspect in the recent deliberate, deadly fire in Ca. set by I think, a jihazi or two. It was well planned and designed to spread quickly and cause lots of damage as well as death, but who do they rush to judgment on? Well if you don’t know the answer to that I can’t help you. In other words, if you can’t find an Anglo to blame, it probably was an accident.
OT,
Does anyone here have any info on the implications of jaundice in islam?
Catherine always writes about "yellow coward" Saddam. I have read that being jaudiced (according to muslims) means sin caused it.
Can't seem to find it now.
Many people die in accidents.
MP, yes, many people, especially if Dr. Abdur Rauf were to have a work accident at his bio-warfare lab in Pakistan.
I wonder if Dr. Abdur Rauf's villa is located anywhere near Dr. A.Q. Khan's villa? And if there is a third villa, for a "chemical engineer"?
A prime candidate for the Black Ops hit squad.
Take this puke out. Pour encourager les autres.
(dont forget A.Q.Khan)
The scientific and technologicl world should consider putting an embargo on any scientist coming from the semi-lunatic state of Pakistan.
' But of course, no one is considering such measures. To do so would (somehow) constitute "bigotry." '
'Bigotry'= the desire not to die, not to be subjugated, or not to convert to islam (a subset of subjugation).
Henry - You yourself have dared to say it, and many of your fellow readers here dare to agree. While it is unlikely that we alone can bring about the destruction of those who conspire to murder us, we can work to change the political climate from the current cowardly unwillingness to even name our enemy, to an atmosphere that supports a vigorous offense.
We have spent a muder load in Pakiland. They received about 6 billions US tax dollars, yet we can't even get to talk to second rate terrorists held by Paki government. Who made that deal with the nitwitt Pakistanies need to be fired. I can't trust the deal makers in teh Whitehause.
We will never close the door, but the chances of getting him into the United States are slim to none...
In other words, the US gov't has indeed (or lack of deed) already closed the door on apprehending Rauf, or for that matter OBM, cuz to do so would put the ISI and Pak Army into open power, thereby worsening freedom's already very tenuous position in South Asia and the Mideast.
The recent Pakistani terrorist caught in Mysore, India had advanced degrees in chemistry. Maybe there are good reasons why chemistry and biology are becoming the favourite topics of study for students in Pakistan. A lot of folks with advanced degrees from Pakistan are taking to terrorism and this is a worrying trend
A seemingly inevitable idealogical conflict is darkening the skies.Weapons are being readied.
But it's not time for the real war yet.Many peaceful people are not enraged yet.
Some horrific events must occur first, and terror tools like anthrax are part of the modern jihadi arsenal.No avenue leading to infidel death is left unexplored.
We've been able to prevent many attacks and ruin lots of plans.But many more cowards scurry in the shadows plotting murder.
I'm encouraged by the low-level profiling being done at points of entry.May it continue.
W. actually said "Islamic facist" would describe our enemy best, but he also hosted Iftar at the White House.Can we count on this guy to lead us?
There are great books with growing sales *insert plug 4 Robert here* describing the problems with Islam.More people are becoming aware of the big picture.
But we're nowhere near to a full-blown religious war.
When illegal Muslims are expelled worldwide and "citizen Muslims" are on 24 hour watch, you'll know it has started.