ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter - Issue 23

July 2004
Articles, newsreports and Items of interest :enigma2000-owner@yahoogroups.com

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News & items of interest

‘Erratum’

J6m notifies us that our remarks "US Military Police have a big base in San Francisco called The Presidium" in the last newsletter were incorrect and writes: 'It's name is the Presidio and the tense of the sentence should be perfect ['had']. It is now a park (http://www.nps.gov/prsf/) as I noticed it while in SF in 1999. Presidio is disaffected as a military site since 1994.

[Tnx J6m - we'll only ever accept the correction of tense in sentence from you]!!

George Tenet Resigns As Director of CIA

Via Jmm: CIA Director George Tenet indicated Thursday 03/06 that he would soon resign. It is thought that the events of 11/09 and the various matters concerning intelligence on Iraq and WMDs have contributed.

Wonder if our PM might like to clear off out of No10 too - his intelligence product was never at fault. Never! Pity that someone committed suicide over the matter though. There were no lies told on WMDs - yet to be found. A lovely use of a thesis without permission of its owner save for keeping the same errors of syntax along with claims that the Iraqi football team had its feet beaten for losing. [All true according to Bliar].

A listing of American Military Intelligence Manuals:

Thanks Ken, there’s nothing I’ll be reading in bed tonight!

Replacement Chief of Secret Intelligence Service announced

As Sir Richard Dearlove retires at the end of July John Scarlett will take his seat.

When the above was announced British Newspapers were full of stories concerning this controversial appointment. The word Cronyism was banded around as though it was going out of fashion.

The reason being that as the head of the Joint Intelligence Committee Mr Scarlett was responsible for the dossier on Iraq’s alleged WMD’s He is stated as being too close to the ‘magic circle’ around Bliar, compromising his ability to offer ‘impartial advice’.

Gaul: There is more to come

Following the release of an interview with a British seaman who had heard another talking about a Polaris Submarine dragging the Gaul to a watery grave there are now legal moves to force the Journalist who conducted the interview to attend the offices of the Solicitor to the Inquiry..

The Journalist had been told that he must disclose the name of his informant and has been summonsed under the Merchant Shipping Act and the Magistrates Court Act. The National Union of Journalists have offered their support and legal representation. Graham notified us that the requirement was subsequently lifted – however there was also mention that the Inquiry would discount this evidence [after all it only throws light on what apparently happened].

The official hearing took place earlier this year, amid certain claims by the Gaul Families of the craft being used for spying purposes, and the offering of the witness then attracted the dismissal of the Journalist as a 'publicity seeker'. [Goodluck Graham].

The CPO who claimed to have heard the conversation voluntarily submitted himself to interview afdter receiving confirmation from HM Treasury that his pension was safe. During this process he answered questions from the Gaul Families Association.

Surprisingly a trawlerman has now made his presence known. Along with his shipmates they saw the Gaul a short time before its demise. Surely the Inquiry cannot ignore these new inputs to its legal process?

Counter Terrorist Vehicle

London's Underground system is protected by three special response vehicles configured to improve the British Transport Police's capability to respond effectively to incidents.

Each vehicle carries chemical monitoring equipment and portable X-ray equipment.

The crews, an Inspector, Sergeant and twenty four Constables for the spacialist unit whose role is to respobd to suspect package incidents, incidents suspected of involving chemical, biological or radiological substances and suspected or confirmed terrorist activity.

These vehicles and their crews apparently demonstrate that London is prepared to deal with the terrorist threat. [Does that threat include Bob Crow and his never ending move to cause the commuter as much difficulty as he can with his policies of striking and shutting down LUG at the earliest opportunity]? Of course if an event happens whilst these specialist officers are at the ticket barriers enforcing the collection of revenue..................

Cheltenham Festival of Science [9-13 June 2004]

By the time you read this the Festival will have finished and programmes lost or disposed of. An interesting little booklet A5 in size came into the possession of E2k. It was packed with details of interesting things to see, do and experience.

For E2k the most interesting part of this booklet just has to be inside the front cover where the logos of sponsors and supporters are shown.

No surprise that GCHQ is given as one on the ‘Festival and In-kind Sponsors’ but the US Embassy, London? Is this the UKUSA pact showing its other, more open side? An act of thanks for sending our troops to the US led fiasco in Iraq or what? [It could be the appearance of Mark Kelly who visited the ISS and who appears courtesy of NASA and the American Embassy in London]

On the website another list of sponsors include Cray [supercomputer used by GCHQ, NSA and the like – if they can afford one]!

An interesting view

Sitting on the early morning train looking at others reading a certain newpaper that has used fake images of British troops ‘apparently’ abusing prisoners is not the ideal scenario for those of us who have served with the Colours and whose own self-discipline would not allow them to carry out such horrors even if by direct order.

As we saw the papers turned, displaying these very clear images to us, Dave the meterman suddenly says, “I wouldn’t be surprised if these have come from the Americans themselves. They want us to put more troops in and we have refused; what better way to stir things up so we have to put them in anyway”? All pure conjecture and the stuff of conspiracy and poor rumour – that is until you read the headline in The Times [18/05] ‘Britain sends 3000 extra troops to Iraq’.

Then we have a shell containing Sarin [GB]. ‘This is the first evidence of WMD since the war’!!!! More like the insurgents who primed it thought it to be a conventional shell – they certainly not aware that the contents were prepared as a ‘binary’ round. Binary in this context means that two separate mixes of chemicals combine during priming to produce a third, much deadlier, chemical. Mix. [Wasn’t the binary method developed at Fort Detrick by the US – wonder how it found its way to Iraq]. For the scientists on the group Sarin (GB) is a volatile liquid (high vapour pressure) and tends to be non-persistent as it evaporates readily. Its IUEPAC name is Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate, has a molecular weight of 140g, vapour density is 6.3 against a vapour pressure [mmHg at 25degC] 0.4. Its votality mg/per cubic metre is 3900.

I’ll bet Dave the meterman asks tomorrow why the Americans find the Sarin in use whilst no one else did – and he’ll supply his particular brand of logic to suggesting an answer too.

RESTRICTED

Critical Review

Panorama – ‘London Under Attack’

2215A 16 May 2004 BBC

On Sunday 16^th May 2004, BBC 1 screened an edition of the investigative current affairs programme ‘Panorama’ entitled ‘London Under Attack’.

The programme was billed as a table-top exercise and discussion to expose shortcomings in emergency planning in respect of a terrorist attack on London, possibly involving a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attack on the civilian population. Eliza Manningham-Buller, Director-General of the Security Service MI5 stated publicly that she believed that such an attack was a ‘realistic possibility’ as long ago as June 2003, whilst Home Secretary warned as recently as March 2004 that it was likely that hostile elements were planning such attacks.

Before the programme was broadcast, it had already attracted some interest in the press, and was branded by the Home Secretary as being ‘irresponsible and alarmist’ and of portraying a scenario that was ‘simply not realistic’. The Home Secretary declined to participate in the programme, which featured a panel of experts from the emergency services, security & intelligence, emergency planning, political and medical fields. Notable members of the panel were former Metropolitan Police Commander David Gilbertson and Michael Portillo, a former Secretary of State for Defence.

The fictional scenario depicted involved the explosion of three improvised explosive devices on three London Underground Lines, namely the Piccadilly, Central and Victoria Lines. This was shortly followed by the explosion of a hijacked chemical tanker carrying chlorine near Liverpool Street, causing the release of a very large quantity of chlorine gas which began to make it’s sinister way across the capital, with calm weather conditions delaying its safe dispersal and prolonging the danger.

The scenario in involving multiple almost simultaneous explosions on the London Underground does not appear to be totally unrealistic – the bombing of the railway system in Madrid, which killed almost 200 civilians on 11 March 2004, involved 13 explosive devices, three of which did not explode. A terrorist attack in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 21 July 1972 that has become known as ‘Bloody Friday’ involved a total of 21 devices that detonated in the space of an hour, killing nine people. A similar, but smaller scale multiple car-bomb attack was mounted in London in March 1973, with explosions occurring at Great Scotland Yard and the Old Bailey, whilst two others were rendered safe including one outside the headquarters of the British Forces Broadcasting Service in Dean Stanley Street. One person was killed and many others injured. Using modern electronic timing devices, it would be possible to arrange the almost simultaneous detonation of many explosive devices, such as happened in Madrid causing panic and confusion, bringing transport systems to a standstill and stretching emergency services resources.

The second part of the scenario, which involved a hijacked tanker carrying chlorine exploding near Liverpool Street is slightly more adventurous, but is still within the bounds of possibility. It must be remembered that a similar release of toxic material could just as easily occur due to a road traffic accident, independent of any hostile action. It must also be remembered that the Far Eastern religious organisation Aum Shinrikyo released an improvised or impure form of the nerve agent Sarin on the Tokyo underground train network on 20 March 1995, resulting in the deaths of twelve people and affecting thousands of others. You author considers it interesting that whilst it is one of the oldest chemical warfare agents, the producers of Panorama chose a mass deliberate release of chlorine, rather than examining a Tokyo style attack with for example an improvised nerve agent, which would have opened up much greater avenues of investigation into the availability and readiness of protective clothing, decontamination facilities and detection and monitoring equipment.

It is considered that either part of the scenario portrayed is realistic in isolation, but the combination of both, whilst within the bounds of possibility, is perhaps at the extremity of those bounds.

The programme was in the main conducted in what your author found to be a slightly ‘dumbed-down’ style, with fictional news reports being presented to set the scene, with relevant points then being discussed by the studio panel. It was felt that the style, similar to that of Orson Welle’s radio play ‘War of The Worlds’ which caused mass panic when audiences believed the fictional news reports to be true, detracted somewhat from the seriousness of the issue in hand.

Many issues were however discussed, including the Civil Contingencies Reaction Force (CCRF), subsurface communications for incidents occurring in deep level Underground stations, the incompatibility of radio equipment used by the police, fire service, ambulance service the military and other involved parties, methods of warning the general public and decontamination and medical facilities. Two persons described as London Underground employees appeared anonymously on the programme to state that they have had no specific training in dealing with incidents.

It is instructive to note that when the London Resilience Partnership had already countered many of the points raised in the programme prior to transmission, in their briefing dated 14 May 2004 which was issued in response to an article in the Evening Standard on 05 May 2004, which referenced the upcoming Panorama programme.

Former Metropolitan Police Commander David Gilbertson mentioned an item of interest during the programme – the Access Overload system for the mobile telecommunications networks. Properly known as ACCOLC - ACCess OverLoad Control, this system can be invoked by a senior police officer in charge of a major incident, or in extremis by central government. ACCOLC gives authorised users exclusive access to the mobile operators ‘cells’ in the incident area. Once in place, only ACCOLC authorised handsets, which are specially registered and fitted with a special SIM card, are able to access the mobile network cells in the incident area that has been designated by the incident commander. However, once a call from an ACCOLC authorised handset is routed outside of the ACCOLC cells, it is routed and processed as a normal telephone call, and receives no special priority. Persons attempting to access the mobile network from inside the ACCOLC designated area, but without an ACCOLC authorised handset receive a ‘Network Busy’ message whilst the system is in force.

Overall, the programme did not seem to address to any great depth the issues being discussed, and some issues were dealt with at only a superficial level. As mentioned previously it was also felt that the style of the programme, whilst in keeping with the current trend of ‘dumbing-down’ was over dramatised and did not add to the programme as a whole, or stimulate or promote in-depth discussion.

RESTRICTED

Terror in London – and that Panorama programme [16/05]

On 16/05 Panorama transmitted a programme that apparently showed the effects of an attack on London using explosives and readily available Chlorine gas; there’s nothing like giving those with an interest an idea for fertile minds is there?

Basically various scenarios were put forward as visually exciting pieces and then discussed by a panel of experts. Interestingly the incompatibility of different emergency services radios was addressed. We received a humorous remark concerning the experts and take pleasure in placing KW’s remarks here: “CS - variously described as a 'Security Expert' 'Terrorism Expert' 'Intelligence Expert' and has appeared on everything from GMTV to Newsnight. What qualifies him to be such an expert? He appears to be not much more than an out-of-work ex-public schoolboy, who has a propensity to go on TV as an 'expert' and spout 'expert knowledge' which could be as easily obtained from anyone on the No.12 bus to Notting Hill Gate.

Example:

And he probably got paid for it too. Panorama on Sunday [16/05] was a dumbed down experience by any standards. I noted that they used chlorine as their 'chemical agent' - helping to sidestep issues relating to the detection and monitoring of chemical agents. Possibly because they had no-one to comment on same.” [Tnx KW]

Well E2k is sure they could have called Domestos and made a clean job of it! Yours truly travels by tube daily and the thought of any sort of device has led to the forming of a plan to survive including the carrying of a correctly serviced respirator and torch, Fullers’ earth and a personal protection pouch. [not a cheap particle mask and 500ml of sterilised water].At home we have already stocked up on various foods and water. Forward planning yes – foolhardy, no.

Note that America actually posted advice to its householders as what to do in a variety of situations sometime back. What has HMGovt done – published the URL to the American site – thanks Tone, you’re a star, obviously have the well being of the nation at heart as long as it costs nowt. Bet you’ll be all right cowering underground near a certain quarry.

That Protection Screen

After the placing of a protection screen in the stranger’s gallery [at huge cost to the public purse] our Prime minister, Tony Bliar was treated to a lobbing at, and covering of, purple powder.

Apparently two males were involved, one who did the throwing and one who held up an apparently unreadable poster. Prime Minister’s questions was suspended because of this action. The two men involved were signed in by Baroness Goulding; one, a Mr Ron Davis, had spoken with Mr Bliar over the matter of access to his child via LBC 97.3.

It’s a bit late for the Phagwah season? Phagwah is a Hindu religious holiday observed in March to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Hindus traditionally wear white on Phagwah day and indulge in the throwing upon each other of a harmless liquid called abeer. Abeer is a red dye which symbolizes the blood of the tyrannical King Kiranya who in Hindu lore was ordered burnt alive by his son Prince Prahalad because of the suffering which his people endured at the hands of his father. Powder, perfume, and water are also thrown on family, friends and neighbors on this day byHindus and non-Hindus alike in what is an amusing, good-natured and joyful celebration.Nnote the reference to good over evil. .In fact note the entire story.

What rhetoric is Mr Bliar going to come up to explain away with this show of displeasure against his tenure of office?

Mistaken Identity

On Wednesday 19^th May between 1330 and 1700 a public meeting took place on the government’s proposed national identity card at the Old Theatre, London School of Economics. Where was this advertised? A lot of interested parties never got to hear about it – why not?

Part of the screed for this conference reads:

“The government has introduced draft legislation for a national identity card. The card system will cost at least £3 billion and is likely to become an essential part of life for everyone residing in the UK.

If the draft legislation is accepted by Parliament, everyone will be required to register for a card. Biometric scans of the face, fingers and eye will be taken. Personal details will be stored in a central database. A unique number will be issued that will become the basis for the matching of computer systems.

The proposed card may be required to access vital public services and to receive benefits. The government proposes to enforce the programme through numerous new criminal and civil offences, including provision for unlimited financial penalty and up to ten years' imprisonment.

The implications for everyone in the UK are far-reaching.”

Note that the card may well be required to access vital public services and receive benefits – amazing that Tax and NI depts can identify you to strip tax and NI out of your wages whether you like it or not. There is a lot of interest in ‘Biometrics’, particularly as a tool for security matters surrounding passports, especially to enter America. Why do we have to comply with their wishes?

The ups and downs of garage ownership

We received this email from AnonMW, who writes "I just monitored a HF broadcast that carried an interview with a Colonel Russ Miller at Eglin USAF Base who is CO of a unit testing a new communications system for the US Armed Forces. On the first day of trials it jammed in excess of 70 local residents garage door remote controls. Obviously, the Us military are going to have to sort this one out, or buy an awful lot of bicycles for pissed off locals! (You heard it first on THIS station, guys!) This just HAS to be one for the NL!"[He was right it has to be shared].

Prisoner Abuse as a matter for debate in Britain

ENIGMA 2000 necessarily has not mentioned any of the abuse scandal aimed at the US Armed forces; it is not for our mandate and can only be addressed by those who either participated or perhaps ordered the use of these methods to soften up those in captivity.

Much nearer to home the matter surrounding the release of faked images designed to place a deep slur on HM Armed Forces have now been proved to be fake. An ex-serviceman, a part-timer, has been identified and no doubt will face the wrath of justice [but in this now ruined country, who knows - he might be congratulated and receive an OBE for his service to the enemy abroad]. This matter has been discussed by many ex-servicemen and various points were noticed that would condemn the photos as fakes. Below is an email, in its entirety, as offered by an E2k member to ITV, and used in shortened form, to wit without the mention of the Aden mutiny and the unnecessary death of 24 British Servicemen, in continuation of their programme.

The email:

“Dear Sir, May I contribute to this ongoing debate? I served in the British Regular Army from 1964 to 1971, including a tour of duty in Aden, which was, at that time, a British Protectorate. That the photos in the Daily Mirror were fake, would have been apparent to any former British serviceman. The boot lacing is wrong, there is no rifle sling on the "soldier's" personal weapon. We, and latterly the soldiers in Northern Ireland, were required to have the rifle sling on the weapon at all times, with one end on the forward sling swivel, and one around the wrist. This prevented the weapon being seized from the soldier, and, if he was hit and fell, when he was dragged to safety by mates, the rifle came too. Bear in mind, at that time we had the SLR, which was a solid weapon. The SA80 would probably break if dragged! I also remember the mutiny by the Aden Armed Police, the killing of 24 British troops by them, and the subsequent burning of the bodies. We also seem to have forgotten the treatment meted out to Allied servicemen in the recent first Gulf War. As an anonymous person once remarked, "Payback can be a bitch!" I doubt you will use this, but I do feel better now, and for that, many thanks.”

[Name withheld].Tnx for sharing.

Personal recollections:

PLondon:

“As a member of the Aden Veterans Association, AVA, I too remember this tragic event - no doubt brought home again, and prior to the reading of this email - by the content of the current AVA Newsletter,* ‘The Dhow’, where the matter is again recounted. How many persons today think of those who rest in Silent Valley or even know what the defunct NLF and FLOSY were and what they stood for? I’ll bet the subject of South Yemen is not even taught in British schools in an era where we must all be embarrassed because of our Empire.

[When we had ‘Empire’ the world was a safe place, even with the Cold War, we could walk down our street with no fear of mugging and queue in our queues and not anticipate someone who can barely speak English jumping it]. The late Sir Kennedy Trevaskis was the last Governor of Aden and left the Colony by helo. His recount on a TV series 'End of Empire' concerning the withdrawal of HM Forces and what it meant to him then was a very emotional account for those of us who had spent time walking, or driving Aden's dusty streets. Apart from the SLR the SMG was also issued, especially for the Crater area.”

[Tnx PLondon]

Whilst on the subject of SLRs who remembers firing an inerga grenade from one of those? Imagine doing the same from the SA80; probably kill the soldier instead as the SA80 disintegrated from the forces involved. When you dropped an SLR [pick that rifle up son - you wouldn't drop your lady friend like that would you?] you picked it up and carried on hoping no one would notice the damage made where it was dropped. Now they issue a platoon dustpan [Dustpan, Issue 1, SA80 Working Parts, Crap Plastic, sweeping up for the use of] to assist with weapon recovery. This British Forces wide issue is the result of a multi-million pound research programme for personal weapon recovery. The UK is believed to be the only country to use this innovative method. [There has also been secretive research on using supermarket carrier bags to keep sand out of the weapon too. The OSA prevents us from releasing more]. Is that a standard white plassy bag with adverts or are the supermarkets around Garrison towns now using OG coloured bags? BTW – I was forced to have a clear out at home in order to sate my wife’s need to live in a house that would put a show house at the Ideal home exhibition at a loss to look tidy. Whilst turfing out my wardrobe I discovered one 58 Pattern kidney pouch as issued to me originally, marked with name and number. What I want to know is who’s did I hand in when I left?

* The Dhow, Spring issue 2004, page 6 ‘Special Report Aden’ edited from ‘A Case History of Terror’ by the late George De Carvallo. This piece expands on the 24 soldiers who died as two Majors and 22 members of the British ‘rescue platoon’.

300 armed, British paid Arab Police mutinied and killed the soldiers, some of whom were captured after running out of ammunition and beaten to death, prior to having their bloodstained bodies dragged through the streets of Crater.

[Since this piece was added to the NL four British Soldiers have been charged with abusing Iraqi prisoners; this occurred after a film was received for developing and the shop assistant called the police. The prints have nothing to do with those printed in the Daily Mirror].

British Royal Marines seized by Iran

Eight Royal Marines were seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps [IRG] on 22 June. The eight, blindfolded, were paraded for television and made to apologise for their huge error for an incursion into Iranian waters in the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

The Ministry of Defence has named the eight unfortunate servicemen – that is a notable process as soldiers who serve with Special Forces are never named. They carried the SA80A” rifle too – no Special services soldier would do that either..

Quite why the servicemen were seized is a mystery – you can bet that the equipment and three patrol boats will not be returned.

[Bet they send the SA80A2’s back though]! According to a piece in the Times 23/06 Britain is regarded as ‘the little Satan’ by the IRG, no doubt because of our PM’s willingness to commit our troops to America’s Iraqi campaign. The Royal Marines were later released and flown out. No mention of the equipment.

When I [the squaddies favourite start to a conversation] was in Aden there was a particularly bad breakdown in order and HMS Bulwark came alongside at Steamer Point and flew Helo’s over the Protectorate. The result: everything returned to normality.

You won’t see Britain doing anything like that anymore. We are so dogged down on political correctness that Great Britain has been allowed to become the United Kingdom [USA managed]. The British race as it once was is now burdened by laws that only apply to them – if you recently come from somewhere else – they don’t apply. You can mug, rob, murder, thieve, trick, sell banned substances and use them in the street – all with impunity.

“Had your handbag snatched Mrs Sutherland-Smyth? I’m afraid I’ll have to arrest you on for wasting police time by carrying a handbag in a public place.”

“As for you Soldier, I’m going to have to stick you on for interfering with the flight of that incoming round in the enemy designated beaten zone.”

Great Britain – dustbin for the world’s ne’er do wells and where the Englishman is a second class citizen in his own land and human rights dictate that the victim receives no justice.

U.S., EU Sign Passenger Data Collection Agreement

Pact contains specific guidance on use and retention of data

The United States and the European Union have signed an agreement allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect air passenger data on those flying European airlines to or from the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced May 28.

The agreement sets forth how the data is to be processed, used, and retained, according to a statement by DHS. It also stipulates that the data collected may be used only to prevent and combat terrorism, serious transnational crimes, and flight from warrants or custody for such crimes.

The new agreement will be in effect for three and a half years, and the data collected may only be retained for that length of time "unless associated with an enforcement action."
Following is a Department of Homeland Security press release:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C.
May 28, 2004

Press Release

DHS AND EU SIGN AGREEMENT TO ALLOW COLLECTION OF PASSENGER DATA

(Washington, DC) May 28, 2004 - Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Irish Ambassador Noel Fahey (representing the Presidency of the European Union), and European Union Ambassador Günter Burghardt, (representing the European Commission) signed an agreement that will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect airline Passenger Name Record (PNR) information relating to flights between the United States and the European Union. Although air carriers have been providing PNR data since March 2003 under an interim arrangement, this agreement will establish the legal basis for such information to be collected and transferred consistent with U.S. and European Union (EU) laws.

The agreement will be in effect for three-and-a-half years once it is implemented, with renegotiations to start within one year of the agreement's expiration date. The comprehensive arrangement concluded with the EU, which includes this agreement as well as a more specific set of Undertakings setting forth in detail how CBP will process and handle PNR data, contains specific guidance on the use and retention of the PNR data, to include:

• Data will be retained by CBP for three and a half years, unless associated with an enforcement action.

• Only 34 PNR data elements will be accessed by CBP, to the extent collected in the air carriers' reservation and departure control systems.

• CBP will filter and delete "sensitive data," as mutually identified by CBP and the European Commission.

• PNR data will be used by CBP strictly for purposes of preventing and combating:

1) terrorism and related crimes;
2) other serious crimes, including organized crime, that are transnational in nature; and
3) flight from warrants or custody for the crimes described above.

"The U.S. and the EU are equally committed to not only improving the safety of air passengers and the security of our borders, but also to protecting the privacy of air passengers consistent with both U.S. and European laws," said Secretary Ridge. "Today's signing is the result of more than a year of negotiations between the United States and the European Commission, and is a sign of our united commitment to combat terrorism."
Without an agreement, air carriers were placed in a situation where they could either face fines for violating EU privacy laws or penalties for failing to provide passenger data to CBP. Through the interim arrangement, both the U.S. and the EU had agreed not to take enforcement action while negotiations were underway. Today's formal agreement removes air carriers from that situation and strikes a balance between facilitating legitimate travel while contributing to the security of the U.S. and EU member states.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

GCHQ 'Doughnut' too small!!

According to a short that appeared in the Times [15/06] the £330M building, as seen on E2k group page, is not big enough for its needs. This problem has been caused by GCHQ's need to employ more people to deal with intelligence demands since 11 Sept 2001 terrorist attacks in america. The Times stated that the reason was stated in a report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee.

In addition to the above story E offered a short piece that the GCHQ building at Benhall has been prepared [as 19/05] for demolition. Apparently GCHQ went through the place with a fine toothcomb prior to workers moving in. The demolition is being overseen by a company called ‘Carillion’. Where have we heard that name before?

E also sent in an interesting story that suggests that GCHQ is seeking out ‘Best Mind’ pure mathematicians for codework. The institute run jointly by Bristol University and GCHQ would be in the South West of Britain – there’s a surprise – and due to open in 2005. The salary is suggested to be £75k for the director – now where’s my slide-rule. [Tnx E].

Unbreakable Codes funded by EU

The EU is to invest over Euros11M over the next four years to develop a secure comms system. This will be based on quantum cryptography and is intended to thwart Echelon.

Whilst the Euros fund the development it would be interesting to know what particular mole will be funded by the septics to make sure the system can be read by them. [Tnx E].

US Secret Service Personnel test D-Day security precautions prior to the honouring of the heroes of D-Day

American agents have been testing security arrangements to ensure nobody manages to get a crack at Dubya. A temporary airbase had been unstalled at Caen and non-official traffic is expected to be banned.

Apart from Dubya, our French brethren will receive HM The Queen, Bliar and a dozen other leaders.

The actual tribute to those who gave their todays for our tomorrows was an excellent programme on BBC1 with many veterans from Britain and her allies actually meeting the Queen and our PM who went to Arromanches.

MM The Queen said, “The 60^th Anniversary of the Normandy landings is a moment of thanksgiving and a moment for commemoration. Today we honour all those who gave their lives in this campaign and all of you who fought in this great struggle.”

George W Bush said, “America honours all the liberators who fought here in the noblest of causes and America would do it again for our friends.”

Later in the evening BBC1 screened an excellent documentary concerning D-Day in a flashback form with interviews with those who took part and survived. Even a couple of German soldiers were seen, as they are today. Their lot was, apparently, much the same as the allies. There was even coverage of Slapton Sands where many Americans died when the training exrcise they were on was discovered and attacked by German E Boats. Particular tribute was paid to the officer whose determination and management skills saved fellow Americans who had ended up in the cold sea. Mr Jacques Chirac stated that “France will never forget June 6^th, 1944 – the day hope was reborn. It will not forget the men who made the supreme sacrifice to liberate our soil, our native land, our continent from the yoke of Nazi barbarity and its murderous folly.”

The most poignant tribute was from Herr Scroeder, “The victory of the Allies was not a victory over Germany but a victory for Germany. I think the focus has to be on joint remembrance – including remembrance of the dead.”

[For those who are not aware Britain had the most troops involved in D-Day including those from our Empire. It also took the majority of casualties. At the end of the war Britain was near bankruptcy and hassled by America to pay the war debt off, finally bankrupting Britain in 1965ish; that is the alliance that Bliar spoke about in his ‘British and American alliance’ tribute. Nice rhetoric from dubya, too, and adequately supported by Bliar. It is a pity that politics hasto rear its head in an act of tribute to those who died in the name of freedom.

Anyway, did Mr Bliar actually take history as an exam interest prior to entering university? Most know that whilst America was keen to sell Britain war materials it was not quite as enthusiastic about committing men- not until many American Servicemen died at Pearl Harbor two years after the start of WW2].

Any Arabic Speakers about?

Page 28 The Economist 15/05 carried an interesting shot of Sir Richard Dearlove, the outgoing head of Britain;s SIS. The strapline read, “The new top spy is a prime-ministerial crony. Some think that’s bad, some don’t”. Then followed reasonable writing to prove that but the best was at the end stating, “Having someone on board who knows the opposition backwards is, after all, SIS’s stock-in-trade.”

Below that a piece from the Arabic column was headed ‘Speak up’ followed by ‘Arabic speaking spooks are in high demand. But there’s little supply. From reading the piece it appears that there is a 50% expansion in the pipe with new money announced.

They are having no success recruiting Arabic speakers whilst two E2k members meet in Cardiff Bus Station and greet each other in Yemeni Arabic not spoken for a good 30years. Of course those members would never be employed anyway – no degree. Did you know that as a result of a shortage ofArabic Speakers the military hired tow students from Exeter Uni to work as interpreters in Iraq

Here’s the rub – undergraduate Arabic applicants tend to come from fee paying schools. Apparently as universities struggle to raise the numbers of state-school students, subjects favoured by the posh and brainy are considered a liability. [Academia itself is a hotbed of snobbishness so it is no wonder this attitude readily propagates]. TnxE

Espionage and Related Topics in the Media [From PoSW];-

A short item of news in the Daily Mail of May 22 would seem to tie in with the piece in E2K Newsletter 21 on the subject of local authorities in the UK drawing up plans for mass burials should the situation arise following a terrorist attack in the UK. With a headline of "Blunkett's Doomsday Blueprint" and written by the Mail's political reporter, the paper states that;-

"Aircraft hangars could be requisitioned as mortuaries in the event of a terrorist attack on the UK. Refrigerated lorries used for transporting meat would be used as extra storage space for thousands of bodies. The grim scenario emerges in a 90-page document released by Home Secretary Blunkett offering guidance on how emergency services and local authorities should deal with an atrocity. The document underlines how seriously the Government is taking the threat of chemical or biological attack"

90 pages, eh; sounds like an interesting read, has anyone seen a copy?

A news item in the Daily Express of May 24 announces a new mode of transport for the forces of law and order; headlined "Police to get 7-Ton terror-proof cars" it goes on to state that " Scotland Yard is to have armoured cars that can survive bomb blasts. The seven-ton Guardian vehicles have been brought in to combat the increasing use of terrorism and gun crime." To illustrate the point an artist's impression of the new conveyance indicates the salient features which include a bullet-proof windscreen, sniper windows to enable marksmen to shoot in safety, armour plated body panels, tyres which can withstand gunshots and a reinforced bonnet protecting a 6 litre diesel engine.

And I can remember a time when the local bobby went around on his old Raleigh push-bike!

An alternative source of information for those interested in the domestic political scene in the United States of America can sometimes be had from the broadcasts of shortwave broadcast station WWCR which operates out of Nashville, Tennessee and whose 12,160 KHz outlet has been offering excellent reception during the late evenings UK time in early June. This station's usual output is mainly of a religious nature - which is best avoided - but after 2100z there is a more worldly hour of programming in which various items of domestic and international news of concern to certain sections of the American public are commented upon. One story noted recently and not reported anywhere else as far as I am aware was to the effect that that something which no American politician has dared to utter for the best part of three decades - since the end of the Vietnam War, in fact - the "D" word, that is the Draft, which is American for compulsory military service, is being openly spoken of in the Nation's corridors of power. Several US senators have put forward the view that the situation in Iraq will soon require large numbers of extra troops, far more than can be provided by the current all - volunteer army. No doubt this will be even more true if, as some commentators have speculated, George Dubya and the NeoCons have plans for further adventures in other Middle Eastern countries; Iran and Syria have been mentioned. The question us Brits might ask is ;- how far along this road will the ever grinning Mr BLiar take us?

On June-18 BBC-2 television did an hour long documentry on the killing of Lord Mountbatten in 1979 by the Irish Republican Army while on holiday in Ireland by means of a bomb placed on his boat. I hadn't realised that the bomb had been detonated by radio remote control; there was a brief reference, no doubt lost on the greater part of the viewing public, to the use of a modified "McGregor" radio control system - which was a brand well known to the model boat and aeroplane enthusiast at one time - operating on 27 MHz. [Tnx PoSW].

News from the German Branch of ENIGMA 2000 [Jochen Schafer]

Jochen continues with his good work on behalf of his German Branch and brings us an appreciation of a programme from Daniel of Munster, who has recently joined our ranks:

German TV docu programme: May 05, 2004, ARD 2100z, "Der Spion vom Teufelsberg" (Spy from Teufelsberg)

Programme description by the TV station:

"Codename Blitz: The spy from Teufelsberg - The US considered the Berlin resident Turk Hüsseyin Yildirim the most dangerous spy of the Cold War. Yildirim attained secret NATO documents at the Teufelsberg, the most important American monitoring installation, where he worked as a car mechanic. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1989."

In the programme, a five seconds excerpt of a numbers station transmission (E10) can be heard which serves purely as an acoustic trimming, as there is no mention of radio communications or any other context with the programme content. At least a real number station excerpt and no mock-up as in the recent mdr programme "Tausche Ostagent gegen Westagent".

Daniel sent a few seconds of the programme – there in the background is E10. [Thanks Daniel - excellent stuff and welcome to E2k]

Now onto Jochen’s report:

Here is my second report from the German Branch, which was created in March and counts more than 20 members now. But only a few of them bring me their logs regularly, the others don't yet, but we have to be patient, the German Branch is very new, and it needs its time to grow.

Thanks to DanielE2Kde from Muenster for his logs and information, also HaraldE2Kde in Trier and HendrickE2Kde near Aschaffenburg, who also gave me their logs.

"Tausche Ostagent gegen Westagent" (Exchange Eastern agent contra Western agent). In my last report I mentioned this socumentation series about a citizen from the German Democratic Republic, which was sent in MDR in April this year. On April 27 there was the 2nd and last part of this series, again with a numbers stations example, but this time a right one: it was E10A "ABC2" (take a listen in the 'files' section". Thanks to Daniel from Muenster for the short sample.

In the past two months, the usual skeds of E6, S6 and so on were monitored also here in Germany. The freqs of Gert's excellent predictions list was confirmed many times. On the 8th of May for example, Daniel heard S06 on 14840 on 1600 UTC in AM with "524" and a 0-msg. On June 18th at 2130 UTC Hendrick heard E6 on 5731 in USB with "315" and also a 0-msg. Also E6 was heard in progress on June 24th on 12212 at 1538 UTC in AM by Daniel.

Other logs from the Russian stations, which were heard by the "Kopf", you can find in the logs section of EN23. Another station came back and was monitored by the "Kopf": E17z on 10240 on June 24th, in progress, probably start at 1400 or 1420 UTC, ended at 1435 UTC with "20" (perhaps the group count) and 5x "0". I am glad to get E17 again after such a long time.

Daniel was also aware about a Morse station, which he presumed it was M14A format. He found it on the 8th of May at 1905 UTC on 10910 in CW. The signal was very strong (S9+45).

In the June days, we all could monitor XM the "Whales" very often with fading signals on 11363 kHz. From the German Branch DanielE2Kde from Muenster and KopfE2Kde monitored it for some days. We are not sure, if the signal comes from Segunella, as other people think about it, because the signal is very different, between "audible" and "strong". The signal could also be heard on 10512 kHz in May.

Also the XPs could be heard on their freqs, which are mentioned in the predictions list. At the end of June, we could hear 0-msgs during the evening skeds, the ID was "454". DanielE2Kde reported to hear it on June 24th at 2200 UTC on 14598 kHz. The morning skeds were also heard here.

The last skeds of June were heard by the "Kopf" on 29th at 0620 on 11018 and 20 minutes later on 12118 kHz. ID: 401, DK/GC 08485/00173. As usual, the signal was very strong (9+45) during all the XP skeds.

HaraldE2Kde from Trier monitored a station on June 21 on 1828 kHz, which brought two Pips. Other people out of Germany also monitored similar Pips on other freqs near 1828. The station was later confirmed as one of Russia's navigation system markers called BRAS.

On June 30th Richard Ness sent me two new X06 skeds from this day, the first one on 12224 kHz from 1250 till 1255 UTC, then the second one (with different notes ) from 1255 till 1257 on 17463 kHz. Thanks Richard for these stations, which came right one day after my birthday, so a good birthday present for me:-).

Also other things happened in these two months, not only the usual loggings. On June 16th, I was a special guest in a further publicity program about numbers stations. The program was sent by a non-commercial, regional radio station, which is only receivable in a small area of Germany. But later the program was uploaded via the internet. At www.candlelight-online.de you can also hear this program (but only till the first week of July, then it will be substituted through the new edition of "Candlelight").

Before I reported about the purposes of numbers stations, I presented my big collection of musical boxes. As link between the musical boxes and the numbers stations, I brought the ID of the G2 station, which was also featured a musical box. Then we began with numbers stations. I hope, you can still enjoy the program via the internet, after you read this information. My next publicity program will be at the end of October, when I will be a referent about the numbers stations during the "Days of

Acoustic media", which are planned in Boltenhagen at the east coast of Germany in a hotel for blind and partially sighted people. These "days of acoustic media" are presented once a year, always in autumn.

ENIGMA2000 has new members of Europe, who were informed and invited by the "Kopf". Not only from Germany, but also from Denmark we have now new members. Some of them didn't know about ENIGMA2000, before the "Kopf" informed them.

I hope to report more in the next edition of the EN, and I also hope for more cooperation with the other members of the German Branch of E2k. Till next time "auf Wiedersehen" and good-bye [Tnx Jochen].

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