http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=31754
Al-Qaida to use anti-war rallies as cover?
FBI bulletin warns of security-surveillance tactics
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Posted: March 27, 2003
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Paul Sperry
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida operatives may mix in with anti-war demonstrators here and in other major cities to secretly monitor security procedures around landmarks and buildings, the FBI warns.
According to an FBI bulletin obtained by WorldNetDaily, al-Qaida terrorists plotting U.S. attacks may employ "sophisticated surveillance techniques" to avoid detection by law enforcement.
These techniques may include using "video recorders" and posing as "demonstrators" to gather information about security patterns and procedures at potential terrorist targets, says the bulletin, recently distributed to law enforcement and military security personnel by the FBI Washington Field Office as part of the Awareness of National Security Issues and Response, or ANSIR, program.
"Al-Qaida operations have been characterized by meticulous planning, a focus on inflicting mass casualties, and multiple, simultaneous suicide attacks," the FBI alert says. "Operatives are highly trained in basic and sophisticated surveillance techniques, posing challenges for counterterrorism and security forces in identifying terrorist surveillance."
As the nation remains on high alert for terrorism, the bulletin advises the security community to be on the look-out for the following activities, which may indicate al-Qaida terrorist surveillance:
"Unusual or prolonged interest in security measures or personnel, entry points and access controls, or perimeter barriers such as fences or walls."
"Unusual behavior such as staring or quickly looking away from personnel or vehicles entering or leaving designated facilities or parking areas."
"Observation of security reaction drills or procedures."
"Increase in anonymous telephone or e-mail threats to facilities in conjunction with suspected surveillance incidents – indicating possible surveillance of threat-reaction procedures."
"Foot surveillance involving two or three individuals working together."
"Mobile surveillance using bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, boats or small aircraft."
"Prolonged static surveillance using operatives disguised as panhandlers, demonstrators, shoe shiners, food or flower vendors, news agents, or street sweepers not previously seen in the area."
"Discreet use of still cameras, video recorders or note-taking at non-tourist-type locations."
"Use of multiple sets of clothing, identifications, or the use of sketching materials (paper, pencils, etc.)."
"Questioning of security or facility personnel."
An FBI counterterrorism agent here says that although the bureau is not aware of any past cases of al-Qaida agents disguising themselves as demonstrators to gauge police response, they may use large-scale anti-war rallies here and in New York as cover for such surveillance activities.
The New York Police Department recently dispatched heavily armed SWAT teams to patrol buildings and tourist areas at random times to throw off al-Qaida operatives casing such sites and monitoring security patterns there.
Al-Qaida to use anti-war rallies as cover?
FBI bulletin warns of security-surveillance tactics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 27, 2003
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Paul Sperry
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – Al-Qaida operatives may mix in with anti-war demonstrators here and in other major cities to secretly monitor security procedures around landmarks and buildings, the FBI warns.
According to an FBI bulletin obtained by WorldNetDaily, al-Qaida terrorists plotting U.S. attacks may employ "sophisticated surveillance techniques" to avoid detection by law enforcement.
These techniques may include using "video recorders" and posing as "demonstrators" to gather information about security patterns and procedures at potential terrorist targets, says the bulletin, recently distributed to law enforcement and military security personnel by the FBI Washington Field Office as part of the Awareness of National Security Issues and Response, or ANSIR, program.
"Al-Qaida operations have been characterized by meticulous planning, a focus on inflicting mass casualties, and multiple, simultaneous suicide attacks," the FBI alert says. "Operatives are highly trained in basic and sophisticated surveillance techniques, posing challenges for counterterrorism and security forces in identifying terrorist surveillance."
As the nation remains on high alert for terrorism, the bulletin advises the security community to be on the look-out for the following activities, which may indicate al-Qaida terrorist surveillance:
"Unusual or prolonged interest in security measures or personnel, entry points and access controls, or perimeter barriers such as fences or walls."
"Unusual behavior such as staring or quickly looking away from personnel or vehicles entering or leaving designated facilities or parking areas."
"Observation of security reaction drills or procedures."
"Increase in anonymous telephone or e-mail threats to facilities in conjunction with suspected surveillance incidents – indicating possible surveillance of threat-reaction procedures."
"Foot surveillance involving two or three individuals working together."
"Mobile surveillance using bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, boats or small aircraft."
"Prolonged static surveillance using operatives disguised as panhandlers, demonstrators, shoe shiners, food or flower vendors, news agents, or street sweepers not previously seen in the area."
"Discreet use of still cameras, video recorders or note-taking at non-tourist-type locations."
"Use of multiple sets of clothing, identifications, or the use of sketching materials (paper, pencils, etc.)."
"Questioning of security or facility personnel."
An FBI counterterrorism agent here says that although the bureau is not aware of any past cases of al-Qaida agents disguising themselves as demonstrators to gauge police response, they may use large-scale anti-war rallies here and in New York as cover for such surveillance activities.
The New York Police Department recently dispatched heavily armed SWAT teams to patrol buildings and tourist areas at random times to throw off al-Qaida operatives casing such sites and monitoring security patterns there.