Intelligence - was this a set up?
The fight against terrorism goes on. How significant the death of al-Zarqarwi is remains to be seen - some believe he will be hard to replace in the violence and mayhem he himself instigated. We are told that Al Quaeda had serious reservations about him, particularly the way he divided Muslims in attacks against the Shia community.
The police raid in Forest Gate has done nothing to help Muslim relations. Now reports are talking about doubts about the single intelligence source (said to be human in one report!) which led to the brutal assault on family houses in East London. The houses have been gutted with walls pulled out in the intensive search for chemical weapons. The Observer editorial believes it better to have bungled raids than to be sorry, but this begs the question about the injuries sustained including a shooting and serious head injuries resulting. Will any of us feel happy with a police presence after this? According to Gareth Peirce representing the family whose son was shot says that in some case people never recover from the trauma of such an incident. The police failed to identify themselves, and until they saw the word police on their backs the family thought they were being invaded by armed robbers. No doubt the police do need to take precautions for their own safety - an officer was killed in Madrid when the suspects blew themselves up as the police entered their apartment.
The reason we are having to deal with a terrorist threat at all is significantly linked to the British Government's role in Iraq and in other theaters of war. John Pilger has made the point that statistically the number of deaths in Iraq caused by al-Zarqarwi are few in comparison to those brought about by allied troops under the leadership of Bush and Blair. It is one of the reasons why the personal standing of these leaders is now so low in public opinion.
The report on the death of Jean Charles de Menezes intensifies criticism of Sir Ian Blair. There were mistakes at every level reported and questions asked. Why was de Menezes allowed to travel on public transport if he was considered to be dangerous? Even before the shooting it was realised in some quarters that there was a mistake. Officers failed to tell Blair of the error until much later. Again Blair's attempt to prevent an enquiry allowed officers to cover up evidence - it is understood that Tony Blair continued to give him full support. The report accuses Ian Blair of seriously undermining public confidence in the police.
Posted by John Tyrrell at June 11, 2006 09:56 AM
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