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Statement on Alleged World Cup Terror Plot - Arrest of Azzam Al Qahtani |
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The Media Review Network (MRN) and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) remain deeply cynical at recent reports emanating from Iraq that a highly placed Al Qaeda operative, planning to disrupt the Fifa 2010 World Cup, had been arrested. It is alleged that he planned to launch attacks on the soccer spectacle.
According to reports, Abdullah Azzam Al Qahtani, is a senior Saudi Army officer with a Business Administration degree and a graduate of the King Fahd Security College . He was arrested by US military in 2007 and released in 2009. The circumstances surrounding his arrest and subsequent release are a significant part of the story which adds to our suspicion. It is therefore an area that needs further investigation regarding a possible US-Israel plot to sabotage the World Cup and blame Al Qaeda and by extension South African Muslims.
We also note with a degree of suspicion that the original report to target the England-US match has subsequently been substituted with the Danish-Holland fixture, linking it to the cartoon controversy related to the Prophet of Islam (PBOH).
The arrest of a highly placed Al Qaeda member should and must be considered an award-winning scalp. Why was he released after two years in captivity?
If he conspired with Ayman Al Zawahiri, it stands to reason, through intercepting his communications with Al Zawahiri, his locality could have been identified. The reports from Iraq make no reference to the US being anywhere close to arresting Al Qaeda’s Number 2 man.
The primary groundwork for any “terror unit” is to influence
the press, and thereby manipulate public opinion. In many countries
intelligence agents have successfully infiltrated the media. There is
little doubt that providing cover for “false flag” operations will
always be part of their agenda. Unfortunately, by sensationalizing
reports on the flimsiest of evidence, it appears as if sections of the
media in our country have become victims as well.
The timing of
the “arrest” of Al Qahtani and media reports in South Africa ,
especially the Citizen newspaper also raises a few crucial questions. On
Friday 14th May 2010, Paul Kirk, widely quoting the discredited Hussein
Solomon of the University of Pretoria , raised the issue. On
Monday 17th May, 2010, Al Qahtani is arrested in Iraq . Subsequently the
paper gave the arrest wide exposure. Again widely quoting Hussein
Solomon as well Frans Cronje of the South African Institute of Race
Relations (SAIRR).
The reports were highly critical of the
Department of Home Affairs and the Department of National Intelligence
almost to the point of suggesting that because of the corruption within
the two state departments, the Soccer world cup is now in danger of
“terror attacks”. What Paul Kirk failed to mention is the fact that Marc Kahlberg ,
recently retired from the Israeli Police and reputed to be a leading
authority on counter-terrorism is directly involved in security
arrangements during the WC in South Africa . He has also been nominated
for a prestigious business award in South Africa . This attack on the
apparent lack of capacity in the ranks of our security cluster and the
penetration of Israeli security services seems to suggest that Israel
will be able to provide better security during Fifa 2010.
The
greatest danger facing the Fifa WC 2010 is the vulnerability of our
primary port of entry, the O.R.Tambo International Airport . Recently,
two Mossad agents flew in and out of the Airport while on the run from
authorities in Dubai , using the facilities of the Israeli National
airline, El Al. It has been confirmed by the Private Security Industry
Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) that Shin Bet officials operate at the O.R.
Tambo with absolute impunity, questioning passengers and visitors at
random. We are also aware that a strategic security position at Airports
Company of South Africa (ACSA) is in the hands of a former head of El
Al security, Mr. Yossi Tabul.
Since Hussein Solomon seems
convinced of these pending terror attacks we call upon the Authorities
to immediately call on him for serious questioning in order to ascertain
whether he has any credible information or call his bluff. This is of
national interest and it is his patriotic duty to divulge such
information and the sources.
The Media Review Network and the
Muslim Judicial Council also warn all South Africans that unsavoury
elements have a diabolical agenda to stigmatise Muslims and humiliate
the South African Government and its institutions.
Iqbal
Jassat
Chairman,
Media Review Network
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