cerulean
03-21-2004, 11:42 PM
http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/03/21/australia.terror/index.html
Suspect 'planned Australia attack'
SYDNEY, Australia -- A terror suspect deported to France last year was planning an attack "of great size" against a nuclear reactor or U.S. military base in Australia, newspaper reports have said.
Willie Brigitte told investigators he was sent to Australia to link up with a terrorist cell considering attacks on a nuclear reactor on the outskirts of Sydney or a military base in the nation's remote central region, The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday.
Thirty-five year-old Brigitte is being held in Paris.
The revelations come after a week of damage control from the Australian government on security issues following the linking of the Madrid train bombings to Spain's support for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The Australian government is a firm supporter of the U.S. administration's position on Iraq and sent troops, fighter aircraft and naval vessels to the war -- raising fears that Australia had consequently lifted its profile as a terror target.
Prime Minister John Howard's government denies the risk has been increased, despite suggestions to the contrary by top police officials, including the Commisioner of the Australian Federal Police, Mick Keelty.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told CNN Monday Australia had always been a terror target because it represented an "important component of Western civilization."
Australia was constantly focusing on upgrading transport security, he said, and was reviewing maritime safety and passenger railway systems.
On Monday, Australia also launched one of its most comprehensive anti-terrorist exercises with a variety of security organizations responding to a series of mock car bombings and the takeover of an oil platform off the nation's far north coast.
The five days of exercises involves around 1,000 police, military personnel and officials across four Australian states.
The issue of security is becoming a double-edged sword for the government -- which faces a national election later this year -- with the Brigitte reports exacerbating domestic terrorism concerns.
The Australian Security Intelligence organization has been accused of mishandling the Brigitte case, including failing to respond in a timely fashion to French information regarding his presence in the country.
Monday's article in the Telegraph said Brigitte has told French authorities that a terror cell was operating in western Sydney recruiting Muslims for future attacks.
Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock declined to comment on the claims, but told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio, "If we had evidence that people were recruiting for training for a terrorist organization that would be a breach of the law and it would be dealt with, assuming we had appropriate evidence."
According to the report, Brigitte's job in Sydney was to harbor a Chechnyan explosives expert who was to be smuggled into Australia disguised as a supporter of the Georgian team in the Rugby World Cup held last October.
Brigitte lived in Sydney for five months last year before French authorities told Australia he could be a terror risk and he was arrested and deported.
He is being questioned in France over the September 9, 2001, killing of anti-Taliban military commander Ahmed Shah Massood in Afghanistan.
Here's a picture of this guy:
http://www.mugshots.com/Terrorists/Willie_Brigitte.htm
Suspect 'planned Australia attack'
SYDNEY, Australia -- A terror suspect deported to France last year was planning an attack "of great size" against a nuclear reactor or U.S. military base in Australia, newspaper reports have said.
Willie Brigitte told investigators he was sent to Australia to link up with a terrorist cell considering attacks on a nuclear reactor on the outskirts of Sydney or a military base in the nation's remote central region, The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday.
Thirty-five year-old Brigitte is being held in Paris.
The revelations come after a week of damage control from the Australian government on security issues following the linking of the Madrid train bombings to Spain's support for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
The Australian government is a firm supporter of the U.S. administration's position on Iraq and sent troops, fighter aircraft and naval vessels to the war -- raising fears that Australia had consequently lifted its profile as a terror target.
Prime Minister John Howard's government denies the risk has been increased, despite suggestions to the contrary by top police officials, including the Commisioner of the Australian Federal Police, Mick Keelty.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told CNN Monday Australia had always been a terror target because it represented an "important component of Western civilization."
Australia was constantly focusing on upgrading transport security, he said, and was reviewing maritime safety and passenger railway systems.
On Monday, Australia also launched one of its most comprehensive anti-terrorist exercises with a variety of security organizations responding to a series of mock car bombings and the takeover of an oil platform off the nation's far north coast.
The five days of exercises involves around 1,000 police, military personnel and officials across four Australian states.
The issue of security is becoming a double-edged sword for the government -- which faces a national election later this year -- with the Brigitte reports exacerbating domestic terrorism concerns.
The Australian Security Intelligence organization has been accused of mishandling the Brigitte case, including failing to respond in a timely fashion to French information regarding his presence in the country.
Monday's article in the Telegraph said Brigitte has told French authorities that a terror cell was operating in western Sydney recruiting Muslims for future attacks.
Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock declined to comment on the claims, but told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio, "If we had evidence that people were recruiting for training for a terrorist organization that would be a breach of the law and it would be dealt with, assuming we had appropriate evidence."
According to the report, Brigitte's job in Sydney was to harbor a Chechnyan explosives expert who was to be smuggled into Australia disguised as a supporter of the Georgian team in the Rugby World Cup held last October.
Brigitte lived in Sydney for five months last year before French authorities told Australia he could be a terror risk and he was arrested and deported.
He is being questioned in France over the September 9, 2001, killing of anti-Taliban military commander Ahmed Shah Massood in Afghanistan.
Here's a picture of this guy:
http://www.mugshots.com/Terrorists/Willie_Brigitte.htm