Forwarded From: blueskyat_private =-= Subject: Security ALERT Received from the ANSIR program this morning: Please read and act accordingly...Ron Lander, CPP ANSIR EMAIL - Terrorism Update Message from the National Security Division, FBIHQ, Washington D.C. Subject: Renewed threats by Usama Bin Ladin; Anniversary of Khobar Towers bombing. This Awareness of National Security Issues and Response (ANSIR) communication is UNCLASSIFIED and is intended for corporate security professionals who have requested to receive national security advisories. This communication is not a press release from the FBI and should not be furnished to the media or other agencies who are not direct recipients of ANSIR Program disseminations. Media requests should be directed to the local FBI field office media representative. On 6/10/98, the ABC television news program "Nightline" aired an interviewconducted with Islamic militant Usama Bin Ladin on 5/28/98. During the interview, Bin Ladin reiterated explicit threats he has recently made to kill Americans in coming weeks. Usama Bin Ladin is a former citizen of Saudi Arabia and a significant financial sponsor of Islamic extremist activities in the world today. In a previous ANSIR terrorism advisory dated 2/25/98, corporate security professionals were advised of a "fatwa" (religious decree) issued by Bin Ladin, and other militants, calling on Muslims everywhere to attack U.S. citizens, facilities, and allies of the U.S. around the world. During the "Nightline" interview, Bin Ladin spoke of the threats made in the "fatwa", repeating his call to all Muslims to kill Americans where they can and when they can. The threats Bin Ladin has made since 2/98 represent a broadening of prior statements in which he had targeted U.S. military forces for violent removal from Saudi Arabia and the gulf. Bin Ladin now states that he will not differentiate between Americans "dressed in military uniforms and civilians." He has vowed that all Americans are targets. Bin Ladin has not made any threats in which he explicitly stated that Americans would be targeted on U.S. soil. The anniversary of the 1996 bombing of the al-Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, falls on 6/25. Nineteen U.S. military personnel were killed as a result of this terrorist act. The Khobar Towers anniversary date may provide the emotional and symbolic catalyst for an attempted terrorist attack. Although the FBI possesses no specific information to indicate that violent acts will occur on this date, you are being notified because the U.S. government's counterterrorism community considers anniversary dates as a key threat indicator. Although law enforcement and security personnel are cautioned not to rely exclusively on such dates to "predict" acts of terrorism, anniversary dates certainly warrant increased attention in routine antiterrorism planning. Recipients may wish to evaluate whether any additional security measures are warranted at their facilities or for their international travelers on 6/25 and in coming days due to widely circulated threats made by Bin Ladin. Any positive information regarding the above should immediately be forwarded to the local FBI field office ANSIR Coordinator or International Terrorism desk. The FBI's ANSIR Program is designed to provide unclassified National Security information on a variety of subjects to U.S. corporate security professionals and others on a timely basis. These subjects include Economic Espionage, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and infrastructure protection (both cyber and physical). The ANSIR Coordinator in the local FBI field office is the point of contact for all National Security concerns and questions from U.S. corporations. *************************************** SA Joe Reinhart, Email: jreinharat_private FBI ANSIR Coordinator, Newark Division One Gateway Ctr., 22nd Floor Newark, NJ 07102-9889 Phone: 973-622-5613; Fax: 973-456-9244 -o- Subscribe: mail majordomoat_private with "subscribe isn". Today's ISN Sponsor: Repent Security Incorporated [www.repsec.com]
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