France screws the pooch again

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 12:30 pm

Whereabouts Unknown
Terror Suspect Failed to Show for Christmas Eve Air France Flight

By Brian Ross

Jan. 7â?? France today confirmed an ABCNEWS report that it was hunting for a man behind security fears that forced several flight cancellations and delays. The man is suspected of having links to al Qaeda and may have access to a concealable bomb

U.S. law enforcement officials told ABCNEWS that if the suspect is who they think he is, he underwent terrorist training at one of Osama bin Laden's camps in Afghanistan.
The ongoing search for the man â?? who was traveling with a French passport â?? is one of the factors contributing to the continuing security jitters about trans-Atlantic flights, officials said.
French officials told ABCNEWS on Tuesday that the man is feared to have a small bomb whose components might get past airport security.
"I confirm that we are looking for someone. I cannot tell you anything more," French Justice Minister Dominique Perben told RMC radio today, confirming what ABCNEWS reported Tuesday.
The man had a ticket for Air France's Flight 68 from Paris to Los Angeles on Dec. 24, but the flight was canceled and the passenger never showed up at the airport, U.S. and French officials told ABCNEWS.
The man is being sought across Europe. Former French defense official Alexis Debat says the French fear they canceled the flight too soon, tipping him off.
"Nobody knows where he is and that is a big concern throughout Europe," said Debat, an ABCNEWS consultant. "The French are concerned that they may have dropped the ball."
The man's identity and description have been passed on to security officials in London, adding to other potential threats being dealt with there.
"This person will also have several other pieces or documents, aliases, several passports," Debat said.
As part of the search for the one suspect, French officials carried out two raids Tuesday near the city of Lyon and in a small town north of Paris, based in part on U.S. intelligence information.
"You have to hit at the head, which is the logistical network that enables the person to travel back and forth," said Debat.
As well as the Air France flights, several other U.S.-bound flights were canceled or delayed over the holidays, including British Airways flights from London to Washington.

Warlock · Post by **Warlock** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 1:14 pm

we should drop a nuke on there ass.

nothing good ever comes from the french

Vertigo · Post by **Vertigo** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 2:52 pm

Hmmmm, no thanks.

We Belgians wouldn't like the fallout

Krom · Post by **Krom** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 3:08 pm

Heh, isnt being France punishment enough?

Avder · Post by **Avder** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 3:57 pm

Doesnt this belong in Ethics and Commentary or something?

Whats with all these kinds of topics showing up here lately anyway?

De Rigueur · Post by **De Rigueur** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:12 pm

You should have specified that it was a poodle in the topic.

Vertigo 99 · Post by **Vertigo 99** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:31 pm

so um what exactly did france do this time?

they found a terrorist before the flight took off, cancelled the flight as a result, but weren't able to catch them.

i'm supposing that it would have been much better if their intelligence never cancelled the flight in the first place, lol doods am i rite?

wait

what

Garfield3d · Post by **Garfield3d** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:45 pm

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/01/07/terror ... index.html

Meisconfused.

Apparently this person is not a threat then? And if not... this person was a suspected as a threat simply because of a similar name?

Will Robinson · Post by **Will Robinson** » Wed Jan 07, 2004 9:51 pm

It's the second time in a week that the french announced the cancellation of a flight that suspects were booked on. The first time they even called the passengers at home and told them not to come to the airport because the flight was cancelled for security reasons.
Why not wait to announce it *after* the suspects arrive at the airport where law enforcement are waiting. Just a thought. Do the french have a clue when it comes to law enforcement?

Maybe it was an honest mistake...the first time.
The second time you have to at least question their intelligence if not their motives.

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:39 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Will Robinson:
Why not wait to announce it *after* the suspects arrive at the airport where law enforcement are waiting. Just a thought. Do the french have a clue when it comes to law enforcement?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Apparently not. Hence the pooch screw.

Sting_Ray · Post by **Sting_Ray** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 11:25 am

French intelligence...? That's like quality imports right?

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 4:00 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Warlock:
nothing good ever comes from the french<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not true -- that Dupont lighter I got is the best lighter I ever had. Don't ask me for anything else tho

Vertigo 99 · Post by **Vertigo 99** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:01 pm

nothing good ever comes from the french

wine...!

Will Robinson · Post by **Will Robinson** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:07 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Vertigo 99:
wine...!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

spellcheck - whine

Vertigo 99 · Post by **Vertigo 99** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 6:50 pm

Krom · Post by **Krom** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:17 pm

* saves image

MD-2389 · Post by **MD-2389** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:59 am

I'd be careful about posting images like that Vertigo 99. I do have your mug after all.

MD-2389 · Post by **MD-2389** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:00 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Warlock:
nothing good ever comes from the french<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

*cough*Statue of Liberty*cough*

Though not many people can appreciate it up close since the tours are shut down.