Chemical bomb plot foiled

[cut]

Chemical 'bomb plot' in UK foiled


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40010000/jpg/_40010263_masked203.jpg

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.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/3603961.stm

Published: 2004/04/06 12:47:41 GMT

© BBC MMIV

[Kenshin]

Good Catch. woot

Hope no one sleeps on the watch.

[Seoulstriker]

yeah, that is indeed a strange chemical weapon. you would think they could have found some kind of chemicals that would be more dangerous. If they were able to obtain osmium trioxide, they would probably be able to obtain Lithium or some kind of radioactive elements.

Strange...

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

They have stated that it is an odd choice but it is maybe because the chemical can inflict immediate acute symptoms, Lithium is by and large a poison with chronic effects though I hope it never finds its way into my tea.
There is a chemical tracking program in this country it keeps tabs on lethal chemicals and transactions of bulk chemicals such as AN with a nitrogen content of above 32% without flame suppresant.

[BMF_EOD]

The principal foundation of terrorism lie in its psychological aspects.

Example- 4 guys get killed out of 100,000+ American troops in theater.
It makes the news and is broadcast all over the world. People think "it's not going well over there".

What about the 99,996 guys that did there job that day?

Same with this scenario.
Bomb goes off.
Media incorrectly labels it WMD.
People think the Iraq war did nothing.

The TRUE definition of a WMD is something that causes MASS DESTRUCTION. (like a 747 traveling at 400mph)

[cut]

no-one mentioned WMD

[Royal]

Well done GCHQ.

[BMF_EOD]

No one mentioned WMD...


True.

My personal experience with the international media sometimes influences my opinions. Forgive me for being naive?

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

Even if a chemical weapon goes of and injures nobody the will still be a massive amount of Fear Uncertainty Doubt and it will still be mission accomplished for the terrorists.

[cut]

would you say the anthrax in the post achieved that?

crudely done the effect is limited, and that was with anthrax, by all accounts this chemical they were planning to use is a lot less dangerous.

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

I don't know what the aims of the Anthrax mailer were but they shook up a few people it was front page news for a while and front page is as good as it gets when you want to put your point across.

[EvanL]

The RCMP last week caught a guy that was involved in the plot. He was caught in Ottawa and his father was caught in Saudi Arabia.

[BMF_EOD]

Yeah- I would say the Anthrax hit would be comparable. Only difference is that we are at "war" now. If that happened tomorrow the Left wing press would have a field day.

Being in the business that I am, I am privy to alot of information and training in the field of Bio/Chem/Nuke/IEDs . The press is quick to jump on the bandwagon and claim a WMD hit at the first sign of NBC material.
It's a lot more complicated than that. I will not discuss "WMD" any further but it is frustrating to hear people spout blatant stupidity for years on end.

I don't want left news, I don't want right news nor "military sponsored" news...I just want ground truth. Regardless of country, military, political party...whatever, the "truth" is but what they want to project. My cynicism speaks.

Thread highjack-

Olympics....Greece....world stage....standby.

[HELEX]

No, the olympic games are well protectet. Nothing will happen.

They will find an easy and soft target.... elsewhere...

[Royal]

Thread highjack-

Olympics....Greece....world stage....standby.

Yep, it's going to be too good for them to miss. I only hope that we can interdict whatever team they have there - 'cos they're there doing their recces now.

[BMF_EOD]

Helex-

Not disagreeing with you, just wondering what info you are making your statements based of off?

Specifically, do you think the Greeks have security covered?

[HELEX]

just wondering what info you are making your statements based of off?

Found an article about the security Plan in a Magazine: F-16 and Patriot Batteries covering the Sky, Fast Patrol Boats and Frogmen in the Water(+ larger units like Frigates), Greek army and Police forces on the land.

Why make an attemp to get through this Barrier when you can hit something else?
Just trying to use my stupid Brain.

[Royal]

Found an article about the security Plan in a Magazine: F-16 and Patriot Batteries covering the Sky, Fast Patrol Boats and Frogmen in the Water(+ larger units like Frigates), Greek army and Police forces on the land.

Why make an attemp to get through this Barrier when you can hit something else?
Just trying to use my stupid Brain.

Exactly what will that lot do against a suicide bomber on foot or in a pick-up loaded with high explosive (although I expect Athens traffic will solve that one - they'd never get there before the games finished ;) )

[HELEX]

Of course there will be checkpoints to prevent that uncontrolled vehicle movement, and that suicide Bomber can blow up himself perhaps in the waiting line but not in the stadium.

[Seoulstriker]

Of course there will be checkpoints to prevent that uncontrolled vehicle movement, and that suicide Bomber can blow up himself perhaps in the waiting line but not in the stadium.


because the people waiting in line are inferior? man, you really are a neo-nazi feminist dominatrix...

[BMF_EOD]

Me?

Went to Greece to do PRE-OLYMPIC joint anit-terror exercise. My post is based on personal experience.

[HELEX]

@Seoulstriker

Sixgun, is that you? :P

[Seoulstriker]

@Seoulstriker

Sixgun, is that you? :P

no, this is seoulstriker.

[BMF_EOD]

Helex-

Your post is based of something you read in a magazine?