NSNL 43 - Intelligence news

Indian intelligence officials state that the Taliban has not only an alliance with Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence agency, but behind the scenes China is said to be one of the key players. India says that it has enough evidence to prove that rocket systems and anti-aircraft guns, which passed from Taliban into the hands of pan-Arab terrorists in Kashmir came from Chinese agents.

According to government officials in the US and UK, the anti-terror coalition will probably also attack Al-Qaeda related targets in other countries. Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and the Philippines are likely targets. MI6 and the CIA have assembled proof that these countries have ties with Bin Laden or that Al-Qaeda has training camps there. To be more specific:

PHLIPPINES:
The Islamic freedom fighters, notorious for the kidnapping of tourists, are reportedly backed by Al-Qaeda

SOMALIA:
The Al-Itihaad group is a possible target in Somalia. The group has been linked to Al-Qaeda through Muhammad Atef, Bin Laden's right hand, who was killed in Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago.

SUDAN:
Bin Laden lived until 1996 in Sudan and is married to a niece of former member of parliament Hassan al-Turabi, who gave Bin Laden shelter for five years.
Sudan harbors a number of terrorist groups. President Clinton signed an executive order a couple of years ago, imposing comprehensive economic sanctions on Sudan for its sponsorship of international terrorism, and its efforts to destabilize neighboring countries. These sanctions ban all US exports to Sudan and impose a total ban on imports from Sudan, and prohibit US investment there.

YEMEN:
Yemen is another very likely target. Especially after the bomb attack on the USS Cole at Aden in 2000, where 17 Americans died. Al-Qaeda is said to have training camps in the northern part of Yemen.

Russia

I got this from an anonymous source. Thanks for sending it! This gives some info about the influence of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin on critical ministries and administrations.

According to Presidential Edicts #867 of 20 May 2000, and #1013, dated 3 June 2000, the following ministries and state agencies come under direct presidential control:

Forty-third edition of the N&O column / Spooks newsletter

Intelligence news

Al quaeda / Taliban

Russia