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01 October, 2005

ECSSR warns on Al Qaeda

An editorial by the UAE government-run Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, reported by Associated Press, warns that Al Qaeda is busy recruiting and sinking roots into the region:

"The United Arab Emirates has so far been spared even though it has been a key player in the U.S.-led war on terrorism. Authorities have arrested at least two alleged high-profile al-Qaida members, passed laws against money laundering and kept a close watch on Islamic charities.

"Terrorism specialists have said Dubai was an ideal logistical hub for al-Qaida because of its liberal, cosmopolitan lifestyle and freewheeling business rules. Other gulf states, such as Bahrain and Qatar, could also be targeted because of their close ties to the United States. Like Dubai, they are home to a huge expatriate work force."


The report doesn't single out any specific country as a target, but is warning of a collective danger to the growth and stability of the region:

"Despite all the regional disputes over Iraq, it must be agreed that defeating al-Qaida is an Arab and Islamic goal... . The result of the battle against terrorism in Iraq is linked to stability in the Middle East," the report said.

Labels: ,

26 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been thinking of traveling to the ME but this news certainly does stop me for a second. Asides, traveling to ME is much easier for men,I think. Too bad these ME countries do not realize that half of the population is women!

01 October, 2005 02:22  
Blogger secretdubai said...

I have been thinking of traveling to the ME

Well this report shouldn't stop you, it's still far safer here than any major western capital (infinitely more when you factor in street crime such as mugging, which is still incredibly low here).

The report as I see it is more of a caution to regional authorities not to rest on their laurels, and to make sure that their young men in particular aren't being led astray.

01 October, 2005 03:40  
Blogger John B. Chilton said...

The AP story speaks of a "study" not just an "editorial."

If anyone finds the ECSSR - Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research study, please post the information here. Thanks.

Like Secret Dubai, I believe Dubai is less likely to be subjected to terrorist attack, than are Western capitals. But if there were to be an attack, I would reassess that belief and so would many others. The result on tourism and cost of retaining the skilled expat labor force could be large and lasting.

Like SD, I see the study as a healthy notice - that the UAE should be alert to the possibility of terrorism within its borders.

01 October, 2005 08:05  
Blogger Emirati said...

Nights prowling, we should have a retard competition to help you boost your ego by winning something.

Anyway, the situation as I see it, is that major terrorism is highly unlikely, because explosives on such a scale needed to carry it out cannot be smuggled inside without attracting attention.

01 October, 2005 08:35  
Blogger Parv said...

How long before bubbleland bursts?

This is an eye-opening post, SD. Thanks.

01 October, 2005 08:39  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Night Prowl. Maybe u should go stay on some tiny deserted island in the pacific because where else will you go? where is safe? London? Newyork? Washington? Perhaps Bali? Kenya? Madrid? maybe Dublin? Dumb ass. run you COWARD, but i dont know where you can go to be safe.

01 October, 2005 09:44  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

balushi

No wonder the German girl left you( Balushi comment to "Disgraceful Druz dad"). With such a ridiculously narrow-minded and absolutely unfounded and unsupported comments how do you expect a 'Western' girl to stay with you when the “The First Arab and Islamic Goal is to end the tyranny of Bush and US faced by the world!”.

This is a arab muslim speaking to you. It is such externally critical views, rather than critically analysing the internal situation of Islam and Arabs, that have demoted us to one of the least developed, volatile and suppressed regions in the world. You only need to look within to see where our biggest weaknesses and threats come from. HINT: FUNDAMENTALISM!

01 October, 2005 10:08  
Blogger Tim Newman said...

It is fairly common knowledge that there are al-Qaeda members originating from UAE, one of the 9/11 hijackers being the most prominent example.

01 October, 2005 10:16  
Blogger Jassim said...

m&m. there is a difference between fundamentalism and extremism. my parents taught me the FUNDAMENTALS of islam when i was a child and it did not include killing innocent people. Get it right Mr 'i am an arab muslim with enlightend views'

tim newman. i missed your point. u c al qaeda operatives come from all nationalities, so i c no reason why there should b non from here.

hurricane. London knew they were at high risk from attack, they only did not know when. Madrid has always been at risk from attacks from their own seperatists and after 911 the local magribi people there. like london they knew it was only a matter of when not 'if' a major attack will happen. Only New York was unprepared for an attack

balushi has a point. al qaida have gained motivation to continue because Bush and his government has provided it for them.

finally, dubai should step up the security in this emirate and the rest of the country 100 times more. one attack, even a small one, could hurt us too much. inshallah inshallah this wont happen.

01 October, 2005 11:18  
Blogger Jassim said...

lol @ advocate. Megatron = Bin Laden. They even look alike.

01 October, 2005 11:21  
Blogger KJ said...

Hi

this was eye opening post...

01 October, 2005 11:39  
Blogger secretdubai said...

Right balushi - I've had enough of you and your trollish posting.

From now on I am permanently deleting all your posts here.

I have been as tolerant as it is possible to be both morally and legally. I don't care if you don't understand why your posts are trollish. As suggested, go and get your own blog, because your days of writing rubbish all over mine are over.

01 October, 2005 12:02  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"..it must be agreed that defeating al-Qaida is an Arab and Islamic goal"

'It must' must it? Imposing America's agenda on others..co-opting taken to extremes. While putting down terrorism is highly commendable, offering proof of guilt was thought to be a pillar of anglo-saxon law. To-date, we have had no link between the 19 bombers and the former Iraqi regime. But fuhgedaboudit. Let's nuke the Ay-rabs! Whatever did happen to those WMD mega-stockpiles...


"... . The result of the battle against terrorism in Iraq is linked to stability in the Middle East"

Indeed it is. Let's hit Iran, Syria and..mebbe..Yemen(rising superpower there!!)next. While we're at it, how about Albania! Wag-the-dog time!

Al Qaeda - A bunch of has-been mujahidin left-overs running around in unwashed baggies in the mountains of central asia, issueing dire warnings via low-hit rate websites, and claiming to undertake actions totally unlinked to them. Posers at best now.

Hey honey, do we have the address of the guys who supplied em with the know-how?

Yes, dear

Bush, Cheney and Company,
Dubious, Texas
USA

01 October, 2005 14:25  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just my opinion, Al-Quaeda is being the symbol of evil because their task is so up-front and visible. No country is innocent in terms of war. Some are more strategic and scheming than the others so their actions are not as visible as others. In politics, there is almost no good guys. That is why I am not too found of politicians. Unfortunately those with thick skins are the ones who stay alive, usually much longer than good ordinary people.

01 October, 2005 14:46  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A sample definition of "troll"

- A person who regularly posts specious arguments, flames or personal attacks to a
newsgroup, discussion list, or in email for no other purpose than to
annoy someone or disrupt a discussion. Trolls are recognizable by
the fact that the have no real interest in learning about the topic
at hand - they simply want to utter flame bait. Like the ugly
creatures they are named after, they exhibit no redeeming
characteristics, and as such, they are recognized as a lower form of
life on the net, as in, "Oh, ignore him, he's just a troll."

01 October, 2005 15:26  
Blogger secretdubai said...

A sample definition of "troll"

- A person who regularly posts specious arguments, flames or personal attacks to a newsgroup, discussion list, or in email for no other purpose than to annoy someone or disrupt a discussion.


Bingo. Even if the person exhibiting trollish behaviour is genuinely too dense to realise it, it needs to be removed.

Quite apart from the fact that it is abhorrent, it is not even safe for me to allow pan-bigoted statements against the whole of Islam or Arabhood.

01 October, 2005 17:09  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whenever a country is the victim of a terrorist attack, it takes one of two two possible actions: by reacting brashly and aggressivly (a la USA), or studying the situation, assessing the REAL threat, and striking fast and efficiently to catch the bastards (a la UK).

If a terrorist EVER tried to hurt our beloved country or its (welcome) guests, I truly believe our people will exhibit the bravery and strength that the UK has shown. And may God have mercy on him, because I assure you nobody else will.

01 October, 2005 18:15  
Blogger Tim Newman said...

Whenever a country is the victim of a terrorist attack, it takes one of two two possible actions: by reacting brashly and aggressivly (a la USA), or studying the situation, assessing the REAL threat, and striking fast and efficiently to catch the bastards (a la UK).

Both actions have their merits and drawbacks, a combination of the two probably being the best overall. There is a third option though, one which Spain took: capitulate to the demands of the terrorists.

01 October, 2005 19:07  
Blogger Tim Newman said...

People underestimate their abilities but I think that the security apparatus here likes it that way.

I'd agree with this. In Kuwait, much of the judicial process is circumvented when dealing with terrorists, which makes the security forces far more effective at their job. It also removes any safeguard against killing the wrong guy.

Sadly, the US has thrown basic human rights in the bin in their approach to the apprehension of suspected terrorists (I'm talking about Guantanamo Bay here), and the UK is desperately trying to follow suit.

01 October, 2005 19:10  
Blogger Keef said...

I would imagine that thwarting any major terrorist attack in Dubai is the absolute top priority for the authorities. If anything major attack did happen here it would be a complete and utter economic disaster for the emirate(s).

I believe they are doing everything that can be done, and yes, you don't go jumping up and down telling everybody about it.

I'm writing this having just seen the TV reports on the bombs in Bali tonight.

01 October, 2005 19:47  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

01 October, 2005 20:15  
Blogger Emirati said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

01 October, 2005 23:40  
Blogger secretdubai said...

Last thing I wanted is heated slanging matches here, so I'm going to start deleting them. If someone starts a fight and someone responds - I'll obviously have to delete both posts.

So while someone deleted may not be the person who "started" the fight, they have to be deleted too, or it will look as though they are slanging at empty (ie deleted) air.

01 October, 2005 23:54  
Blogger Emirati said...

The fact remains that arab governments have had a history of sucessful waging of war in counterinsurgency campaigns. Massive allocations of resources go into internal security in this part of the world.

The government is able to fight a CI war effectively, because it knows what to do, training for Internal security has gone on for decades in the arab countries. A sophisticated Intelligence network (probably laced with Informants and undercover officers), a computerized telephone monitoring system, are some amongst other means the government uses to fight terrorism in the country.

The fact is that Al Qaeda was wiped off the UAE a long time ago, and heavy reorganizination and monitoring of the religious services (the Command and Control of these terrorist movements) has gone on.

Getting explosives in, also a problem, note that ETA supplied the SEMTEX used by the Madrid train bombers. Note that the london bombers also had bought their explosives and detonators from an arms dealer.

Hijacking has become difficult to impossible since airlines now have mandatory rules to prevent such occurences.

There are probably no AlQaeda Elements in the country, since they have no base or support structure from which to operate from. Local Al-Qaeda was taken care of in 01, that leaves us with the expats, which i doubt could get here in a large enough scale and be assisted enough to commit such an attack.

For the reasons of logistics, organization, support and sustainment, there can be no sizable al qaeda movement here and the likelyhood of a terrorist movement is next to none.

Drama Queens, who have no background in the study of military affairs (wink wink mr niger) should not be paid attention to.

01 October, 2005 23:59  
Blogger black feline said...

Paradise lost..again..my heart weeps for Bali..my favorite place to chill out..hope it rises again like the phoenix...3 bomb blasts yesterday at areas near Kuta (favorite hangout of the caucasians especially australians)Damn the JI terrorists!

02 October, 2005 07:51  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

London was also a safe city once upon a time. Wake up, theres always a first time for something to happen. Yes Dubai is a safe place right now but NO place is safe enough.

06 October, 2005 00:34  

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