http://www.newsmax.com/articles/?a=1999/12/20/54546

Osama bin Laden: Worst Y2K Threat?

NewsMax.com

December 20, 1999

The man American intelligence operatives consider Public Terrorist No. 1 is believed master-minding more than a dozen millennium attacks on United States interests worldwide. As a result, he lives in daily fear of an imminent U.S. commando attack on his life.

"The Central Intelligence Agency speculates that Osama bin Laden and associates could be planning five to 15" such assaults timed to coincide with Y2K computer failures on Jan. 1, 2000, according to a classified counter-terrorism communique sent to FBI field offices last week.

In its millennium issue on newsstands Monday, Newsweek described a web of intrigue being spun by the Islamic terrorist operating covertly from a secluded base deep within Afghanistan:

 A group of Muslim extremists arrested earlier in December in Jordan while planning millennium attacks against Americans and Israelis "is linked to and acted under the direction of Osama bin Laden."

 Bin Laden seems to fear he may be the target of an American commando raid any day now.

According to the FBI counter-terrorism document, bin Laden recently warned his followers to be on alert.

He relayed a message from Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Mohammed Omar: "Any Arab in Afghanistan should be free to fire on anyone who comes into his house."

 Some U.S. intelligence officials caution that public celebrations in Paris, London and especially Jerusalem may also be targets for terrorists.

 Canadian police say Ahmed Ressam, the man arrested in Washington state last week with a car full of bomb-making materials, is directly tied to a cell of a well known Algerian extremist group, Armed Islamic Group (GIA).

Other intelligence sources believe Ressam may be connected to bin Laden.

 Although the FBI suspects Ressam may have been delivering a bomb to be placed by other terrorists, he had roomed in Montreal with Said Atmani, leader of a gang blamed for stealing laptop computers and cell phones from cars and fencing goods in front of Islamic mosques.

 Early this year, Atmani was extradited to France in connection with the investigation of the Paris subway bombings by the GIA in 1995-96.

Ressam was denied refugee status in Canada in 1998 because authorities consider him a member of the same Algerian extremist group.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@AOL.COM), December 20, 1999

Answers

No, the worst rhreat is the coming nuclear first strike by the Russians sometime this month. Perhaps tomorrow - Stalin's birthday- or perhaps on the 22, the night of the super bright moon.

-- We're Toast (itwasnicewhile@itlasted.com), December 20, 1999.