Congressman Warns of Iranian Attack on U.S.

[Terri]

Congressman Warns of Iranian Attack on U.S.

BY ELI LAKE - Staff Reporter of the Sun
December 14, 2004

WASHINGTON - A senior Republican congressman has been warning America's intelligence community for more than a year of an alleged Iranian plot to crash commercial airliners into a New Hampshire nuclear reactor.

Since February 2003, Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania has held a series of secret meetings in Paris with a former high-ranking official in the Shah's government who has correctly predicted, according to Mr. Weldon, a number of internal developments in Iran ranging from the regime's atomic weapons programs to its support for international terrorism, including Al Qaeda.

Based on two informants inside the mullahs' inner circle, Mr. Weldon's source, whom he code-named "Ali," relayed allegations to the Pennsylvania lawmaker that an Iranian-backed terrorist cell is seeking to hijack Canadian airliners and crash them into an American reactor.

More (http://www.nysun.com/article/6231)

[Danny]

Well Rep. Curt Weldon has a few counts working against him. 1) he had "secret" meetings with a former high-ranking official of the Shah's government.

2) He met with him in Paris!

3) Who is actually going to take this guy seriously?

Although, nothing is to be taken lightly.

[MudPuppy]

I think the CIA is right to be wary of unknown "paid informants" allegedly inside the Iranian government. I agree with Danny D, Rep. Weldon has got a tough row to hoe.

I'd like to see some of his sources alleged "predictions" before I pass judgment on his veracity or the value of the information. There are probably plenty of Iranians with information for sale, and they're no friends of the current regime. However, their interests may not necessarily align with ours. The so-called "inside information" can be easily concocted and nearly impossible to authenticate, given that our human intelligence assets in Iran aren't up to par. We could very well end up with the best intelligence money can buy, but totally useless and devoid of truth.

I firmly believe the best intelligence assets are the ones we develop ourselves, not necessarily those who come looking to sell information.

[feniangirl]

Yep, Danny, you just might be right. I mean, why wouldn't an informant just fly to Washington and appear publicly before Congress with all this enlightening information?

Iran isn't that much of a threat is it? Jimmy Carter could speak to that. So can the soldiers in Iraq fighting "insurgents" who are trucked in daily from Iran.

Perhaps Quote[/b] ] the best intelligence assets are the ones we develop ourselves, not necessarily those who come looking to sell information. It is apparent we didn't do too well with this prior to 9/11. Does that mean we ignore reports such as these?

Given the nature of the enemy, it is foolhardy to discount any information without some investigation. Especially when "coincidental" actions are evidenced.
Quote[/b] ]On August 22, 2003, the Toronto Star reported the arrest of 19 people in Canada for immigration violations who were suspected of being connected in a terrorist conspiracy. One of the men in the cell was taking flight lessons and had flown an airplane directly over an Ontario nuclear power plant, according to the newspaper.

The cynicism toward public officials and those selling information is appreciated; however, it borders on hubris that in the end could prove fatal to even more Americans. Personally that's a risk I don't believe we should ignore.

[MudPuppy]

Quote[/b] (feniangirl Dec. 15 @ 2004 -- 9:05 am)]It is apparent we didn't do too well with this prior to 9/11. Does that mean we ignore reports such as these?

No. It just means we take them with a grain of salt and a very large dose of skepticism.

Like I said before, I'd like to know more about the "sources" track record. I don't think we should be patsies for every scam artist coming down the pike.

Information from "unnamed sources" inside the Iranian government is deserving of suspicion. For all we know, it could be a janitor at some government bureau. Moreover it would be difficult to assess the relevance or reasonableness of such information without having some idea of its place in the scheme of things in Iran. That's basically the problem I have with such sources. It's nearly impossible to collaborate the data received with other relevant data.

[Old Man]

I have to agree with feniangirl.
No, we don't jump without more varification. However, we should start contingency plans based on two lines. One, further information is gathered that supports this. Second, an attack actually occurs. In the second case, unlike 9-11, we could act even quicker because we would already have a plan prepared. Also, letting Iran KNOW we have a plan that would remove the leadership could discourage them from supporting it. (that is pretty if'y though). At least the Useless Nations would know we had given warning.

[Corgie Girl]

I would take this "insider" tip with a bucket of salt! I'm sure that the intelligence agencies have checked this story out pretty thouroughly to see if it holds any water. I'm more suspicious that this is part of a disinformation campaign to keep the American populace agitated and nervous or this could be another Arab country trying to foment suspicion towards Iran in hopes tht we would conduct a preemptive strike and further inflame the Arab world. We all know that these guys do not operate in any civilized code of conduct, so we should always beware of "Greeks Bearing Gifts"

[Charie]

Trust but verify.

~ R. Reagan

[Thundercat505]

this is the tricky part of any information/disinformation gathering. never should it be conducted by some farcical idiot like weldon since he would be more likely to be fed a line of crock.

a trained person would have a better chance of weeding stuff out before making anything public. I wouldn't trust this information because of the recipient. I don't doubt anything these days as "impossible" or improbable. this is highly possible and probable but exactly who?? iranians, saudi's, syrian"s, etc.. any of these mid east countries could be behind this kind of thing hoping for a major dust cloud in this country.

the "recipient" on this sounds as if he wants the spotlight for some hoped project, or major run for power and this is a start. I would have to say discount it up to a point but put someone on it that knows what they are doing and follow up on it. I don't like this at all--either this idiot or the possibility of an attack.

[bakedbones]

Assuming the gentleman javascript:emoticon( 'http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif') from Pennsyvania has any sense, we are only hearing what the intelligence handlers want us to hear! *If that is the case, . . I must applaud the Congressman's selflessness! javascript:emoticon( 'http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/usflag22.gif')
There was some political sacrifice involved!
If, however, .javascript:emoticon ('http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif') . the picture from the media proves true, then this guy needs a serious sit down in a big office!
Every incoming legislator needs a boot camp! *Security training should stress procedure for these civilian representatives!
Perhaps this is simply Paris needing ink! *
And how old is a former Shah loyalist today? *What's his motivation?
Someone knows, . . and its not you or me! javascript:emoticon( 'http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif')
We pay good money for good governance by people we judge worthy! Watch 'em closely, and make 'em do their jobs!javascript:emot icon('http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif')

[thissong]

http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif Why is a congressman meeting with agents of an enemy country? Isn't this the job of the CIA? FBI? NSA? John Kerry? If the Congressman has info he should turn it over to the appropriate agency, and keep his nose out of it, unless he's actually assisting the CIA in the investigation. Which I highly doubt. This sounds like a lot of foolish grandstanding. http://www.gopusa.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif