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

(Date: Sat, 02 Feb 2002 11:46:09 +0100)

Al Qaeda training manual

The Al Qaeda Training Manual was located by the Manchester (England) Metropolitan Police during a search of an Al Qaeda member's home. The manual was found in a computer file described as "the military series" related to the "Declaration of Jihad." The manual was translated into English and was introduced last year at the embassy bombing trial in New York. The U.S. Department of Justice is only providing a selected text from the manual because it does not want to aid in educating terrorists or encourage further acts of terrorism. The manual itself is not interesting for the radio hobbyist. I think however that part of the Communications chapter is nice to read. I skipped the face-to-face and paper communication part and only included the introduction and phone and wireless parts.

Introduction

It is well known that in undercover operations, communication is the mainstay of the movement for rapid accomplishment. However, it is a double-edged sword: It can be to our advantage if we use it well and it can be a knife dug into our back if we do not consider and take the necessary security measures.

Communication Means

The Military Organization in any Islamic group can, with its modest capabilities, use the following means:

The telephone,
Meeting in-person,
Messenger,
Letters,
Some modern devices, such as the facsimile and wireless communication.

Communication may be within the county, state,or even the country, in which case it is called local communication. When it extends expanded between countries, it is then called international communication.

Secret Communication is Limited to the Following Types:
Common, standby, alarm;

Common Communication:
It is a communication between two members of the Organization without being monitored by the security apparatus opposing the Organization. The common communication should be done under a certain cover and after inspecting the surveillance situation [by the enemy].
Standby Communication:
This replaces common communication when one of the two parties is unable to communicate with the other for some reason.
Alarm Communication:
This is used when the opposing security apparatus discovers an undercover activity or some undercover members. Based on this communication, the activity is stopped 'for a while,all matters related to the activity are abandoned, and the Organization's members are hidden from the security personnel.

Method of Communication Among Members of the Organization

Communication about undercover activity should be done using a good cover; it should also be quick, explicit, and pertinent. That is, just for talking only.
Prior to contacting his members, the commander of the cell [*] should agree with each of them separately (the cell members should never meet all in one place and should not know one another) on a manner and means of communication with each other. Likewise, the chief of the Organization should [use a similar technique] with the branch commanders.
A higher-ranking commander determines the type and method of communication with lower-ranking leaders.

[*] Cell or cluster methods should be adopted by the Organization. It should be composed of many cells whose members do not know one another, so that if a cell member is caught the other cells would not be affected, and work would proceed normally.

First Means: The Telephone

Because of significant technological advances, security measures for monitoring the telephone and broadcasting equipment have increased. Monitoring may be done by installing a secondary line or wireless broadcasting device on a telephone that relays the calls to a remote location. That is why the Organization takes security measures among its members who use this means of communication (the telephone).

Communication should be carried out from public places. One should select telephones that are less suspicious to the security apparatus and are more difficult to monitor. It is preferable to use telephones in booths and on main streets.
Conversation should be coded or in general terms so as not to alert the person monitoring [the telephone].
Periodically examining the telephone wire and the receiver.
Telephone numbers should be memorized and not recorded. If the brother has to write them, he should do so using a code so they do not appear as telephone numbers (figures from a shopping list, etc.)
The telephone caller and person called should mention some words or sentences prior to bringing up the intended subject. The brother who is calling may mis dial one of the digits and actually call someone else. The person called may claim that the call is for him, and the calling brother may start telling him work-related issues and reveal many things because of a minor error.
In telephone conversations about undercover work, the voice should be changed and distorted.
When feasible, it is preferable to change telephone lines to allow direct access to local and international calls. That and proper cover facilitate communications and provide security protection not available when the central telephone station in the presence of many employees is used.
When a telephone [line] is identified [by the security apparatus], the command and all parties who were using it should be notified as soon as possible in order to take appropriate measures.
When the command is certain that a particular telephone [line] is being monitored, it can exploit it by providing information that misleads the enemy and benefits the work plan.
If the Organization manages to obtain jamming devices, it should use them immediately.

Fifth Means: Facsimile and Wireless

Considering its modest capabilities and the pursuit by the security apparatus of its members and forces, the Islamic Military Organization cannot obtain these devices. In case the Organization is able to obtain them, firm security measures should be taken to secure communication between the members in the country and the command outside. These measures are:

The duration of transmission should not exceed five minutes in order to prevent the enemy from pinpointing the device location.
The device should be placed in a location with high wireless frequency, such as close to a TV station, embassies, and consulates in order to prevent the enemy from identifying its location.
The brother, using the wireless device to contact his command outside the country, should disguise his voice.
The time of communication should be carefully specified.
The frequency should be changed from time to time.
The device should be frequently moved from one location to another.
Do not reveal your location to the entity for which you report.
The conversation should be in general terms so as not to raise suspicion.

http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/trainingmanual.htm