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Chemical 'bomb plot' in UK foiled Intelligence agents in the UK and US have foiled an alleged chemical bomb plot in Britain, the BBC has learnt. The plot was believed to involve detonating a combination of explosive and a chemical called osmium tetroxide. Experts say in gas form it could be lethal in a confined space. The plotters were thought to be sympathetic to the aims of al-Qaeda and the intended target was believed to be British civilians, probably in London. The chemical has a legitimate scientific use for research but is highly destructive to peoples' eyes, lungs and skin. Attack 'inevitable' The plot was foiled after US and British intelligence intercepted communications between the plotters and it is not thought that they had managed to obtain any of the chemical, osmium tetroxide. The target was thought to be areas in which there would be concentrations of people, possibly within a confined space. The UK has been on a high state of alert since bombings in Madrid on 11 March claimed 191 lives. Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir John Stevens said a terror attack on London was inevitable but Home Secretary David Blunkett has tried to play this down. OSMIUM TETROXIDE Laboratory chemical which requires precautions when handled Used in scientific experiments, not known as a chemical weapon agent Toxic and irritant, even in small amounts Direct contact causes skin and eye damage Becomes a gas at high temperature Alastair Hay, Professor of environmental toxicology at Leeds University, said osmium tetroxide was a rare catalyst - a chemical that speeds experiments - and could potentially make an explosion occur more rapidly. But Professor Hay told the BBC it would have to be obtained from a specialist chemical supplier and it did not fit the profile of a typical chemical warfare or dirty bomb agent. "It would not be in the same category as some radioactive substance which would continue to emit radiation and cause a problem in terms of clean up. "This would be something present, like a heavy metal like lead, in the environment. I don't think it would be a major hazard and clean up would not be a major problem," he said.
Terror suspects held in raids Eight British men suspected of being involved in terrorist activity have been arrested in a series of raids across the south of England. More than half a ton of ammonium nitrate fertiliser was also seized from a self storage unit in west London. Raids by five forces, involving 700 officers, were carried out on 24 premises early on Tuesday morning. The men arrested were aged between 17 and 32 and are believed to be of Pakistani descent. Head of Scotland Yard's terrorist branch Peter Clarke said warrants were issued under the Terrorism Act 2000. The men, all British citizens, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Two were arrested in Uxbridge, west London, three in Crawley, West Sussex, and one each in Ilford, east London, Slough, Berkshire, and Horley, Surrey. Surrey Police said the 18-year-old man arrested in Horley had been found at a Holiday Inn hotel near Gatwick Airport. There were also raids at houses and businesses in Colindale, north London, Luton and Reading. The suspects have been taken to two high security police stations in London for questioning. The fertiliser was found in a lock-up in Boston Road, Hanwell, west London. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said half a ton was a "massive amount". This is a complex and protracted investigation, which will be detailed, very thorough and take some time to complete Peter Clarke National Anti-Terrorism Co-ordinator Peter Clarke's statement He said ammonium nitrate was a common component in bombs and had been used in the attack in Bali in 2002. In addition, it was used in the Istanbul bombing last year and is believed to have been used by al-Qaeda in an attack on the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998. It was also used in the Oklahoma bombing in 1995. "If that amount had been turned into a bomb and used in central London it would have killed a lot of people," said Mr Gardner. "They are saying this is by far and away the biggest and most important counter terrorist operation undertaken in recent years both by MI5 and by Scotland Yard." He said MI6 had also been involved because of the international dimension of most suspected Islamist terrorist activities. "The first phase is over but we are told to expect further activities and probably further arrests," Mr Gardner said. AMMONIUM NITRATE - THE FACTS Millions of tons produced each year for use as fertiliser Sales of the fertiliser are tightly restricted in the EU Mining companies mix small amounts of explosive grade ammonium nitrate with fuel oil to create explosives It is "not impossible" to make explosives with fertiliser grade Used in several IRA bombings Also used in the Bali and Oklahoma City bombings Source: New Scientist Mr Clarke, who is national co-ordinator of terrorist investigations, said premises were still being searched by forensics teams. He assured the Muslim community the police knew the "overwhelming majority are law abiding and completely reject all forms of violence". "We have a responsibility to all communities to investigate suspected terrorist activity," he said. He said the operation was not linked to the bombs in Madrid and there had been no danger to the public. Mr Clarke said: "Today's operation is part of continuing and extensive inquiries by police and the security service into alleged international terrorist activity and I must stress that the threat from terrorism remains very real. The public must remain watchful and alert." But Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, claimed the Muslim community was being "demonised" as a result of such raids. He said: "These raids are usually given a lot of importance when they are taking place, but when people are released without charge, it is not news. "It is creating a deception in the minds of ordinary people that we have a bigger problem than we really have," he added. Home Secretary David Blunkett said after the raids: "While it is for the appropriate authorities to decide what action is taken against those individuals arrested today, the fact that such action was felt necessary is a timely reminder that the UK and its interests abroad remain a target."
Quote from: Don Rizzle on May 10, 2006, 03:16:12 AMiraq would just get annexed by iranThat would be a great solution. If Iran and the majority of Iraqi's are pleased with it, then why shouldn't they do it?
iraq would just get annexed by iran
killing us because of where we were born.
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