January 2006
Articles, newsreports and Items of interest :enigma2000-owner@yahoogroups.com
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We open with PoSW’s ‘Items from the Media’
A spectacular fire which destroyed the Buncefield fuel storage depot at Hemel Hempstead near London took place at around 6 AM on a cold Sunday in December. Upon waking up that morning and turning on the radio to hear the 7 o'clock news my first thoughts were along the lines that terrorists had done it again, especially as first eye witness reports spoke of local residents hearing a "whirring noise", as if made by a light or microlight aircraft, had been heard just before the whole lot went up. However, upon turning on the TV, the rolling caption along the bottom of the screen, beneath the view of storage tanks burning and sending a great pall of black smoke into the sky, said something like "Earlier reports of an aircraft flying into the depot have now been discounted". The reason for the start of the conflagration was later said to be a spark from static electricity or from the opening contacts of a switch when a tanker driver turned off the engine of his vehicle igniting the fuel from a leak in one of the storage tanks. Some observers remained unconvinced; if a terrorist wanted to destroy such an economic target but had a twinge of conscience over the possible loss of human life, then the ideal time to carry out such an attack would be in the early hours of a Sunday morning when there would be almost no one around to be harmed and as it turned out no one was killed although there were several injured. A letter in the Daily Express of 27-December said it all;-
"I am perplexed at suggestions that the explosions and subsequent fire at the Buncefield depot were an accident........if it started with a tremendous explosion and fire allowing no one to get even near to the incident, how could it be ascertained it was an accident? If terrorists were involved, would we be told?........it would illustrate how soft a target this country really is".
It is worth recalling the events of 7-July in London when for the first hour or so after the bombs exploded on the underground system the official explanation was said to be a "power surge". Also, the storage tanks were reported as containing mainly jet aicraft fuel, a variety of kerosene which does not form a vapour which is readily ignited in the way that petrol, or as our American cousins would call it, gasoline, might do. The jet fuel stored at Hemel was used to supply London Airport Heathrow and the holiday travel airport at Luton in Bedfordshire. As a result of the incidient at Hemel Hempead, several airlines - including the Australian QUANTAS - were reported as having to divert to Stansted in Essex to take on fuel. No doubt the plane spotters were there ticking off the serial numbers of the 747's and with their scanners tuned to Stansted Tower.
[Funny that correspondent asked if we would be told if terror related. MalcF already made his thoughts known to PLondon: ‘The run up to Christmas, apparent loss of fuel – and panic buying anyway – which happened – mention terror and people would be staying indoors. Once again, lost profit levels and no doubt excellent sale prices. Would we have been told? The watchword where inflammable atmospheres is concerned is ‘intrinsic’. Everything is done to ensure flare ups like this do not happen, yet we have a mere accident in Hemel Hempstead’].
The whole ghastly business of Iraq shows no sign of improvement despite the recent elections which Bush and Blair both hope will result in a government which will do as they are bloody well told - but it doesn't seem likely. One spin-off reported in the press is that large numbers of members of the British Territorial Army are leaving the service because they do not relish the thought of being sent to Iraq. I recall that when the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland were at their worst in the 70's recruiting advertisements for the TA always stated "You are not liable for service in Northern Ireland". Having been known several members of the Territorials over the years, I think most off them joined for the chance to spend a week or two in Germany or somewhere else in Europe once or twice a year on training excercises using real weapons with the understanding that they might be required to fight for the defence of their homeland at some point. I don't think any of them ever thought that they would be sent to Iraq to make up for the shortfall in manpower in a war to get control of one of the world's largest reserves of oil.
Likewise Afghanistan where nothing seems to improve. There are reports of the Taliban starting to become a force to be reckoned with again and there is the ongoing situation with regard to heroin, produced from the opium poppy of which Afganistan is the principal producer. Recent stories in the British press state that heroin production is at an all time high as evidenced by the low price of the stuff on the streets of British cities; an article in The Mail on Sunday a few weeks ago was headlined, "True legacy of the Afghan invasion....heroin at £10 a fix. Tony Blair has failed in his pledge to destroy the Afghan drugs trade, allowing a huge influx of cheap hard drugs to flood into Britain". I was fascinated by an item on Channel 4 TV news earlier in the year which showed the fields of poppies under cultivation. The point was made that the whole enterprise is under the control of the warlords who are best friends with the Americans and British who appear to be turning a blind eye because these individuals need to be kept "onside" to enable the Western oil companies to build the pipelines up through Afghanistan into the part of the world we used to call Soviet Central Asia to bring the enormous and largely un-tapped oil and natural gas reserves of the Caspian Basin down to a port on the coast of Pakistan. What was surprising was the apparent level of mechanisation in the cultivation of the source of heroin; the camera did a slow pan shot across the fields of poppy flowers which stretched as far as the eye could see and there were several agricultural tractors chugging around in the distance. Their red and grey colour suggested they were of the Massey Ferguson marque which until quite recently were made in a large factory in the city of Coventry in the English Midlands, although no more since under the general principles of Globalisation to which all the major political parties subscribe, UK manufacturing is in the process of being transferred to countries where labour can be made to work six days a week, eleven hours a day, with the absolute minimum of health and safety and enviromental protection regulations and for two dollars a day, in this particular case Brazil. That the tractors used to make sure a good supply of heroin finds its way into the veins of our young people were in fact Massey Fergusons was confirmed by a subsequent item on BBC TV's "Panorama" programme when a close-up shot did indeed show the "M-F" insignia on the radiator grilles, although none of the tractors were fitted with the cab to shield the driver from the worst of the weather and to provide a degree of protection in the event of the thing turning over, a requirement in Western countries. It was something of a shock to see British made agricultural equipment being used for this purpose. I wonder how they came to be in Afghanistan?
Thanks PoSW and onto the rest:
I was sorry to hear of the demise of Chelsea Barracks. Spent 6 happy weeks there, Jan-Feb 1964 on a lead-in Indonesian language course before being allowed to go east to complete it.
Seems that the education section therin was the only place that could be found for 12 of us, taken from all three services, to hang out from 0900 - 1500 daily to await the arrival of an Indon' national to come along and tutor us after he had finished work!
Security was non-existent. We were in civvies, wandered in and out daily without being questioned, until the last day that is when we were asked for our ID.
We did get bawled out on one occasion though by the RSM for not standing still when the lads were practising the 'trooping'. Wouldn't have minded but they weren't using the real colour, just a bit of a blanket on the end of a broom handle!
[Reminds me of a parade I recently witnessed where the Inspecting officer wore a Greatcoat and nothing else save a Groucho Marx nose and specs. Any cock-ups in the ranks were met with a quick flash of the marital working parts. Oh! almost forgot, the particular barracks were Wellington Barracks, the Greatcoat was Grey in colour and this was on the parade ground just beyond the Guard's Museum].
Dickie Attenborough was there at times watching, boning up I believe for a forthcoming film (Zulu?). Parked his 'Roller', RA1 on the square.
[Thanks Anon - we know who you are]
Ah - Zulu; the battle for Rorke's Drift on film where Men of Harlech was re-written and some Pvt Jones 783 had his throat shot away - 'pity he was a great baratone.' 'Why us sarge?' 'Because we're 'ere son, because we're 'ere'! Just think if we had a time machine we could send a couple of Gimpy Teams back to sort the Zulu's out during a brew up.—also seen on TV: Zulu Dawn, showed Chelmsford’s military cock-up at Isandahlwana
The E2k Newsletter Issue 30 page 48 carried an article entitled the ‘The Brazilian’. To save re-inventing the wheel [and a lot of writer’s cramp] the piece is reproduced below, italicised:
The Brazilian
Then we have this well chewed story of the Brazilian electrician who, it is claimed, was shot dead by police. A variety of stories are in the public domain. Then we learn that he was not wearing a puffer jacket and did not vault the ticket barrier. It is also claimed there was no shouted warning by police. One fact slung in to the massive melting pot was the fact that he was an illegal or overstayer and that his passport was stamped with a style of stamp mot used.
Eight rounds to the head from one firearm has become 11 rounds fired from two firearms, seven to the head, one to the shoulder and three missed rounds.
The missing CCTV tapes, The Chief Constable not told until 24hrs after [and he comes on TV with a right LOB about Houston we have a problem].
What trained person would stand behind a person and pull the trigger of a handgun 6 to 8 times at close range? After all, British Police are not issued with automatic weaponry. More to the point, what professionally trained person with an automatic firearm would squeeze the trigger and ‘walk’ the rounds in at close range – hence 3 rounds elsewhere, one in the shoulder and rest to head? SAS or SBS – doubtful, but there is another lot who spring to mind, det is not a shortened term for detective here. Now re-read about the shootings in Canary Wharf and ask yourself again if there is a cover up!
Babar Ahmad is a British citizen and Muslim who it is alleged commited terrorist offences in the UK. There has been only minimal coverage in the mainstream press of Great Britain but much interest in the Student Magazine of the University where he worked.
What he did is outlined in the Affidavit from the FBI and it has been read by yours truly. It would appear that Mr Ahmad asked for support for terrorist factions [remember todays freedom fighter is yesterdays terrorist] via the net.
The student newspaper, no names no pack drill, states in the editorial of 17/11
‘Mr Ahmad, a British citizen, is alleged to have commited terrorist offences in the UK. For what reason then is he being extradited from his home nation?’
The piece carries on,
‘The US are the only superpower, but that does not mean we should allow them to run the world in a slip-shod manner [why not, everything else they are involved is carried out in like poor manner] Although the new extradition legislation allows British citizens to be extradited to the US without presenting a prima facie, there is no reciprocal arrangement. How can such double standards be allowed?’
Babar Ahmad is accused of running terrorist supporting websites and recruiting terrorist supporting websites and recruiting new members for terrorist organisations in Chechnya and Afghanistan.
Of course Mr Bliar and his ‘government’ seem to find it difficult to say no to America and are totally unaware of the British public’s view of the Iraq War despite 1/55th of the population of GB marching against helping the US in their Iraq fiasco.
Now they are handing British nationals over to the US without much ado. Bliar’s PC government support the well being of the world as they let the dross of any country settle in Britain ; giving them houses, transport and cash. Health care of these non contributors comes before those who do contribute. Then we have the support of those ‘with child’ but without marriage. [Now they can adopt children too – ‘Yes, you’re adopted and this is how you fill out the benefits form]. It’s all Politically Correct and Human Rights – if you are a decent contributing member of society the former is forced on you whilst the latter just do not exist. Of course if the US want you your non-existant Human Rights go right out of the window. How many times will Babar Ahmad’s family be able to visit him when he is ensconced in some US lock-up? Sorry to rattle on like this but this decision to extradite Mr Ahmad is as flawed as Britain with its PC , Human Rights, Liberty, Social Workers and do gooders who ruin society further everytime someone foreign does something he should end up in court for. Of course we are in a country that can be likened to an asylum where the inmates have taken over the management.
What has happened to the beautiful and ordered Britain that I grew up in and that many others laid their lives for? Well, sadly its gone and the millions of lives it cost to keep free wasted. To quote my father who fought in Burma , “They took 6 years of my life. I lost many friends and for what.? Look outside and ask yourself if it was worth it?”
Not having a go at independent Americans here – we’re sniping at the American administration. It has so much respect worldwide their own citizens travel as Canadians [soon found out because they don’t know who the Canadian Prime Minister is] when in the international theatre!
The Sun newspaper carried a story on 09/11 [ninth of November to the yanks] penned by Virginia Wheeler and entitled ‘Spy Girl claims sex hell’. PLondon had previously received an email from AnonNI giving a URL that took him to the BBC News site and the same story: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4413620.stm> and a chance chat with DoK about oversleeping and missing the 0340z alternate Wed sending brought in the mention of the Det and all things Miss Mates!
The early BBC piece mentions in one paragraph, ‘Cpl Mates, who earns £27,000, is retiring from the 14 Intelligence Company, part of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment.
The reason for Miss Mates action is apparently due to the years of degrading abuse – if she wins – it will cost the MoD only £686,000.
These complaints go right back to the time when Miss mates joined the army, ten years ago [Sept 1995]. Miss Mates is 30years old and is retiring from the Special Reconnaissance Regt. This regiment is known as the ‘Det’.
A collection of articles on Miss Mates apparent ordeals – all sexually motivated - are covered in a variety of newspapers.
However the Sun makes this claim, “Two years later she joined 14 Intelligence Company, the special section known as ‘The Det’”
…………….The Det is already under scrutiny over its role in the surveillance operation in London that led to the killing by armed police of Brazillian Jean Charles Menenzes. [As we previously stated police are not armed with automatic weapons -- now they claim dum-dum bullets used – or, to be accurate, ‘hollow point shot’- and who really gives a toss]?
In continuation a male colleague later claimed that Miss Mates was the ‘victim of schoolboy pranks’.
E sent an interesting cutting from a British newspaper, Daily Telegraph that featured a piece entitled, ‘Army reveals secret elite unit that puts women on the front line’.
An interesting article indeed as it itemises a different area where the Special Reconnaissance Regiment has excelled, the training and selection and who else they work for. [tnx E].
EE Times
kol 24, 2005
WASHINGTON - Harris Corp. said Wednesday (Aug. 24) it has received National Security Agency (NSA) certification for its software-defined radio.
NSA (Fort Meade, Md.) has certified Harris's multiband Falcon III tactical radio for use by the U.S. military. The handheld radio uses DoD's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Software Communications Architecture.
Harris said the radio is the first using the operating environment to receive NSA certification to encrypt voice and data traffic up to the Top Secret classification.
The radio, designated the AN/PRC-152 by the military, uses Harris's Sierra II software programmable encryption module. Sierra II won NSA certification last year, according to Harris's RF Communications Division (Rochester, N.Y.).
DoD's Software Communications Architecture is designed to allow for the addition of future JTRS waveforms, Harris said.
[Tnx Jm6]
[Zerstörer Rommel]
Very impressive indeed!
Being the Sunday nearest to the eleventh day of the eleventh month PLondon met his old Sarge and attended the Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph. Whilst taking tea outside Westminster Cathedral PLondon was approached by a Colonel wearing the regalia of PLondon’s old Regiment. ‘See you later’ he said, shaking hands with PLondon, adding ‘Enjoy the day’. It is recognition like that that makes sombre days enjoyable.
The actual Service was marred only by the activities of a ‘groper’ who made a nuisance of himself. Taken to one side by a well spoken gentleman of large proportion he received suitable words of advice. Unfortunately he did not heed them and a dull thud and a muffled cry was heard as he ‘touched’ the wrong person.
As this was occurring Sarge and PLondon were able to see a tall bloke, about 6’2” march past with enough medals on his chest to make a Russian General or normally over decorated US soldier wince or collapse a display cabinet at the Imperial War Museum. Not only that, but he was accompanied by a young child, likewise displaying several medals. The man himself wore the familiar sand coloured beret of the SAS along with the familiar winged dagger badge and the motto ‘Who Dares Wins’. One thing: It is not a winged dagger but actually the Sword of Damocles!
After the barriers were removed Sarge and PLondon removed themselves to Victoria BR station to meet old friends as they have done for several years.
This year was no different and several old mates made themselves known. Jokes were told that had been heard a thousand times before, and laughed at again. Sarge took his Courage Best whilst PLondon drank anything non alcoholic. It was bloody cold but we enjoyed it.
Enter medal man at 1342z. Still accompanied by the young child he walked past a number of groups of ex-servicemen. Not for him the stop and chat. As he approached us Sid mentioned to Bert, ‘Where d’you reckon he nicked that lot then ?’ Never mind Bert’s reply, my old Sarge said, ‘Look he’s got Jimmy* up now’. [*Jimmy is the nickname for the badge of The Royal Signals. It features Mercury, the winged footed messenger. Quite why it is called ‘Jimmy’ is not known but it has been suggested the name comes from rhyming slang, Jimmy Riddle].
As he walks past Bert leans across and says look at the blazer badge, ‘D Squadron Special Air Service’. So who the hell is this bloke? We know
Ex-troopers who never mention their ‘extended’ duty and who certainly never boast or mention outside military circles what else they ‘did’.
Sarge yells out, ‘bloody wannabees’.
That night PLondon was in his room watching the abridged version at 1830z on BBC TV when his phone rings – ‘take a look quick – that medal blokes on the march’. And he was. More medals that Russian and American Generals put together. No easily recognisable ribbons, nothing.
A later conversation with a member, who must remain anon, suggests the bloke may well have been a member of the 264 Signals Squadron rather than an active SAS trooper.
We still want to know who this bloke is!
A former US trooper is serving in the Thames Valley Police [a force I have heard that deals with more thefts of cabbages than any other – even more than Surrey or Kent Constabularies]. This 34 year old Texan became the first foreigner to join a police service when regulations governing the employment of foreigners was relaxed and wants things changed.
Britain is proud of its unarmed Police; the firm but fair manner in the resolution of matters, criminal or otherwise, is legendary and it is without doubt that fact which led the 34 yo Septic to join.
We have seen the example of how American troops conduct themselves on the modern battlefield and it comes as no surprise that this most disciplined ex US paratrooper threatens to leave because he is not allowed to carry a gun when he’s on the beat. “The risks taken by unarmed and poorly trained British police are too great for me to continue being a police officer. If the Chief authorises me to carry a pistol then I will not be resigning”.
Here we go, foot beat 1a – Anti Social Behaviour by a handful of scrotes. Easily sorted by PC *** ******* toting his butt line special and displaying shock and awe! Result mucho collateral damage. By heck – I’ll bet this one is good fun in the canteen or locker room.
Poorly trained my arse – it’s the ability of the individual to build on their base knowledge during the immediate Street Duties course and a two year probationers course. In fact, a British policeman, of any rank, never stops learning throughout his career. British Police also look smart when on duty – not like a sack of spuds someone left on a corner somewhere.
Oops! Forgot. This johnny-foreigner, who should be honoured to wear the ‘Badge of Courage’, is an American and as such he is obviously an expert on just about anything.
Wonder if Thames Valley use ‘White Notes’? They are a difficult thing to get on with whoever/wherever you are! Wonder if this gallant Septic PC gets a bollocking over the difference in their unfortunately tainted undersdtanding of the way things should be spelt and pronounced.
Still, its not all bad – he’ll doubtlessly soon join another American in Britain on the unemployment list – Bob Kylie. Overpaid and over here! [Actually still employed as a consultant to TfL – he’ll cost more than a Walnut Whip to fund] and there’s the other one in TfL too whose name escapes me
RCN note you’ve got one there that needs to go elsewhere too – according to my female friends who subscribe!
Policing; remember: Boring it isn’t.
And that can be said for ENIGMA 2000 as well. Those who turn up as prospective members and cannot be bothered to fulfill our requirements don’t get inside. Once they do they are watched carefully and any signs of something we don’t like – they’re out.
However, the above title comes from an interesting advert sent in by E.
The advert is for MI5 for male and femaile security officers in Central and West London. The latter was highlighted by E to ensure we did not miss it. Well we thought about a possible location for these offices and we have the solution, oh yes, and it wasn’t difficult.
Central London – Thames House or somewhere nearer the Soho area we ask?
And that leads us on to the American advert from the same source………………………….
Clandestine Service Careers?
You’d be interested to learn that the CIA is searching [that’s what the ad says] for qualified applicants to serve in the US and abroad.
You can get the lowdown on www.cia.gov. [An equal opportunity employer and a drug free work force]!
From the Economist 03/12.
Talking of American movements in the clandestine world did you know a chunk of land has been marked on the outskirts of Khartoum on which it will build a big listening post to monitor events in the Horn of Africa.
[Thanks E]
Khartoum is another place PLondon has been – terrible place and had a bad experience in the Gents loo at the airport – he was cuffed by an itinerant black lady of massive proportion because he couldn’t give her any cig she was demandings. The only reason all she receieved was ‘Imshe, mooshtammam binta’ – clear off you no-good woman – was because both hands were employed in aiming at the porcelain whilst all this furoré was happening].
We received an application to join. Prospective member gives his reason as ‘number station’. Then we receive directly under the subject heading ‘inapp doc,’ his spelling uncorrected, "Your high and mighty attitude is not appriciated, forget my application. Goodbye..."
You will be pleased to know that he received back, ‘Thank you for your application and interesting email’.
No, we won’t let just anyone in and the entry requirements and all that follows is designed to keep a tight ship.
Morse stations | Voice stations | Oddities | Polytones
E2K master index | German branch | Numbers predictions
E03 & E03a prediction charts | E22 uncovered | An interesting piece
G06 schedules over a year | E11 schedules over a year
Numerals | If it had not been for 15 minutes (1/6)
News Items | Web sites | Contribution deadlines
Index | E2K NL Home
