NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2007/02/14/002-Qaida-petrole-Canada.shtml
The link above is in french...

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070214/oil_terror_070214/20070214?hub=TopStories
for those of you who can not read the lingua franca.

Apparently, the Saudi branch of Al-Qaeda is attempting to diversify its attacks and go after anyone who supplies the USA with petroleum. Also on the list are Mexico and Venezuela. This was broadcast on their website, according to the Gazette, a Montreal newspaper.

I think it would have been more intelligent for them to simply attack instead of warning us, but thanks for the heads-up.

Can I get a mod to fix the typo in the title please?

Good. That should fuel hysteria in numerous countries that will cause them to crack down on the Al Qaedas viciously and unmercifully. It might drive those nations closer to the US.

Won't happen. Nobody expects the Albertan inquisition!

Good. That should fuel hysteria in numerous countries that will cause them to crack down on the Al Qaedas viciously and unmercifully. It might drive those nations closer to the US.

Possibly. In Canada's case, I can see some more cooperation, but I think that any intelligence or aid going across the 49th should be taken with a grain of salt, as we would like to avoid another case like Maher Arar's.

Mexico will probably accept any financial aid and use it to quell the current unrest.

Venezuela will tell the USA to go lick itself.

Am I not understanding but if this Saudi branch wants to attack those who supply the USA with oil then why arn't they attacking Saudi Arabia?

Am I not understanding but if this Saudi branch wants to attack those who supply the USA with oil then why arn't they attacking Saudi Arabia?


They are. if you read the french link I provided it has this to say at the end:

La même branche saoudienne du réseau terroriste avait revendiqué la tentative d'attentat-suicide aux voitures piégées menée en février 2006 sur le plus important complexe pétrolier du monde, la centrale d'Abqaïq, en Arabie saoudite. C'est par cette centrale que transitent les deux tiers de la production du royaume wahhabite...Il s'agissait du premier attentat contre un complexe pétrolier après celui de mai 2004 contre une compagnie américaine, toujours en Arabie saoudite, où six employés avaient été tués.

So there have been at least two attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, but they have been largely unsuccesful. Perhaps the terrorists believe that targets in other countries may be easier to destroy.

Unfortunatly I chose to do German instead of French at GCSE.

Am I not understanding but if this Saudi branch wants to attack those who supply the USA with oil then why arn't they attacking Saudi Arabia?

They are.

Al-Qaeda, beyond its grandiose anti-Americanism, is an organisation dedicated to overthrowing the House of Saud and establishing Caliphatic rule within Saudi Arabia.

Venezuela will tell the USA to go lick itself.

Yeah, they keep doing that but the follow through seems a bit lacking... :confused:

I wouldn't attack Mexico. Mexicans are doing a fine job of screwing that up themselves, I'd rather use my terrorist operatives more wisely.

I wouldn't attack Mexico. Mexicans are doing a fine job of screwing that up themselves, I'd rather use my terrorist operatives more wisely.

Well, they could do something like steal some Mexican military uniforms and weapons, drive to the border, and blast away at some guys on the US side.

Given the current state that would be an EXCELLENT way to start a war, whether or not the US and Mexican governments get involved.

I wouldn't attack Mexico. Mexicans are doing a fine job of screwing that up themselves, I'd rather use my terrorist operatives more wisely.

Yeah at 15% depletion and an end to canterall oil by 2012 that's kinda taking care of it all on its own.

Something like that is bound to happen sooner or later, although attacking Canada's oil infrastructure (or any foreign producer) will probably only garner more sympathy for American involvement in the middle-east world-wide. It would certainly increase Canadian involvement.

Then again, there's enough anti-American, anti-military Canucks who'd say to stop drilling oil, close our borders with the states, and bring back all of our troops from abroad. An attack timed during an election, not unlike what happened in Spain, could bring about more votes for the NDP... *shudders*

I think it would have been more intelligent for them to simply attack instead of warning us, but thanks for the heads-up.

The interpretation I've read is that Al Qaeda is simply advocating these kinds of attacks by it's independant and semi-independant sympathizers.

Timing the attacks for an election would definitely have some kind of effect. How exactly it would play out is unknowable-we may run to peacenik NDP, the NDP may grow more militant (unlikely, but possible), or we may run to whoever says "Never fear, I'll protect you, Canada!"