Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin Remarks at the American University of Afghanistan

February 10, 2010 - Thank you, Dr. Smith. It is an honor to be here today at the American University of Afghanistan. I feel very lucky to be able to visit Afghanistan and particularly privileged to spend time here at this center of educational excellence.

For 30 years, this city has been in the shadow of violence and conflict. I drove here in an armored convoy. I have been surrounded by guards. But as soon as I walked through the gates of this university, I felt a sense of energy, enthusiasm and optimism all around me. That atmosphere is a testament to the courage and commitment of every member of the AUAF community.

Not very many years ago, a university with AUAF's mission could not have existed here in Kabul. Today, it is both a source and a symbol of Afghanistan's progress. The founding of AUAF represented a critical step in the effort to lead Afghanistan into an era of freedom and opportunity. That transition is a difficult one. But institutions like this one will play a central role in securing Afghanistan's future.

When Dr. Sharif Fayez founded AUAF, he dedicated the university not only to training leaders in business, technology, education, and social services, but also to providing an environment free from violence, corruption and ideology – an environment in which curiosity and creativity can thrive.

We can only hope that AUAF will serve as the model for many more such institutions. With nearly forty-five percent of Afghanistan's population under the age of fifteen, there is nothing more important to Afghanistan's future than the education of its young people.

Edward Everett, a nineteenth century American politician and president of one of America's great universities, once said: "Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army." He had the luxury of speaking those words at a time of peace. His words may sound naïve to a nation that has faced so much violence and conflict. Much depends today on the capabilities of the Afghan National Army and Police, as those forces increasingly assume responsibility for Afghanistan's security. But the longer-term success of Afghanistan's democracy undoubtedly depends upon the preparation of the next generation of leaders.

You, the students of AUAF, know better than most the profound power of education. For many of you, your early education was an act of brave defiance. Many of your families or neighbors took great risks to ensure that you learned to read and write – that you learned math and history. Those bold efforts brought you to this place. And that education will allow you, when you graduate, to become leaders of your communities and of your country.

You here at AUAF also know another powerful truth: that no nation can truly flourish if one half of its population is deprived of the opportunity to learn and to lead. Approximately twenty percent of the student body at this university is women. And women play a vital role in the life of the school. I understand from some of my conversations today that women make up nearly thirty percent of the student government. That stands in stark contrast to the condition of women in many Afghan communities. And it stands in stark contrast to the vision held by the Taliban and other extremist groups that would return Afghanistan to a period of darkness and repression.

I believe that all of us here today share the same vision for Afghanistan as a stable, free and economically independent member of the community of nations – a nation in which every citizen has the chance to go to school, to get a job, and to make full use of his or her talents. The work being done here at AUAF is the surest sign I have seen that that vision can be realized.

Educating the next generation of Afghan leaders – doctors, business leaders, public servants, and teachers – is vital to securing the future. But, of course, it is not sufficient on its own. In addition to preparing you and others like you for leadership in Afghanistan, there is another, equally important and perhaps more challenging imperative: preparing Afghanistan for you.

First and foremost, that means making Afghanistan more secure. It means disrupting, dismantling and defeating al Qaeda, and seizing the initiative from those who espouse ideologies of hatred and repression. But it also means building Afghanistan's economic capacity and governing capacity. And it means combating corruption, so that capable, honest, public-minded people like you can succeed in effecting change.

In December, President Barack Obama outlined the United States' strategy here in Afghanistan. The strategy focuses both on security and on civilian engagement. We are increasing troop levels to improve security and to prepare for a responsible transition to the Afghan security forces. And we are reinforcing that military surge with a civilian increase – civilian experts and professionals who are working with Afghan partners to transfer skills in areas ranging from agriculture to revenue collection.

It is that emphasis on civilian partnership that brings me to Kabul. The work of the United States Treasury Department here in Afghanistan is not often in the spotlight. But it is significant. I'd like to talk about that work briefly this afternoon, because it illustrates the kind of civilian partnership to which President Obama is committed. And it touches on some of the most important challenges facing Afghanistan.

Treasury's role in Afghanistan started small. In February of 2002, one of the first civilian advisors from the U.S. arrived in Afghanistan. He was a member of our Office of Technical Assistance named Larry Seale. Working with the Afghan Interim Authority, Larry helped put together the country's first post-Taliban budget on his laptop computer.

Since those early days, the number of Treasury advisors has grown, and we expect to send additional personnel in the coming months. Working closely with the Ministry of Finance, Treasury technical advisors have helped streamline the budget process, improve the payment system for government employees, establish a Debt Management Unit within the Ministry of Finance, and restructure Afghanistan's debt.

Each of these achievements is important. And taken together, they represent significant progress toward our overarching goal: strengthening Afghanistan's systems of financial management so that Afghan authorities can collect, manage and spend Afghan resources on Afghan priorities – transparently and effectively.

In the United States, President Obama recently put forward his proposed federal budget for 2011. That proposal is being debated as we speak, not only in the halls of Congress but also in newspapers, community centers and kitchen tables across the country. In the United States, the budget serves as the catalyst for policymaking, for discussion and for compromise. It expresses our national priorities. It is an essential part of our democracy.

The national budget can and should play a similarly central role in the political life of Afghanistan. But to play that role, it must be the primary instrument of policy formation and implementation. And that means that the people of Afghanistan must have confidence in the integrity and the effectiveness of the budget process. Otherwise, the budget will simply be words on a page or numbers in a spreadsheet – not the powerful, democratic document it ought to be.

That is why the U.S. Treasury has made building and reforming the system of public financial management in Afghanistan a priority. There is much work still to do, but – again – there has been progress. The government has begun implementing a revenue action plan with measures aimed at limiting corruption. The Ministry of Finance has gained authority to audit specific ministry expenditures. And for its part, the United States and the international community have committed to channeling a greater proportion of foreign aid directly into the Afghan national budget.

That last point is important: today, the large majority of international financial assistance bypasses the Afghan budget and Afghan authorities. Afghanis miss out on the opportunity to shape the projects such funds support. The government of Afghanistan misses the opportunity to develop the capacity to administer such large-scale expenditures effectively.

Breaking from the practices of the past, funds pledged to the World Bank's Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund flow through the Afghan budget, not around it. The disbursement of funds is, however, conditioned on continued reform. That incentive program has sparked an important dialogue between donors and the Afghan government as we work to agree to a common reform agenda, focused on accountability and transparency.

The work of promoting Afghanistan's fiscal independence will not be finished anytime soon. There are many people that have a vested interest in keeping the government's system of financial management weak and opaque. But I hope that, through our partnership, we can help lay the groundwork for more effective, transparent and trusted management of the public purse.

Let me now turn briefly to the second part of Treasury's mission here in Afghanistan: combating illicit financial activity and denying funds to terrorists.

A few weeks ago, the Taliban staged a brazen and bloody attack in the heart of Kabul. As you know, the Central Bank of Afghanistan, the nation's chief financial regulator, was one of several targets. That was not an accident. A strong Afghan Central Bank facilitates and promotes economic growth. A strong Central Bank enables the Afghan government, rather than the Taliban, to provide services to the Afghan people. And, crucially, a strong Central Banks can help disrupt the financial networks on which terrorists depend.

The Taliban understand all this. They know that money is every bit as important to their operations as weaponry, hopelessness, and extremist ideology. And they know that efforts to isolate them from their sources of financial support are every bit as threatening to their operations as military strikes.

Treasury is actively engaged in helping to build Afghanistan's capacity to combat illicit finance. Our technical advisor in the Central Bank's financial intelligence unit has helped to develop the systems and expertise the Central Bank needs to track financial transactions. He has worked closely with the Central Bank on their initiative to license hawalas. In the coming days, another advisor will arrive in Afghanistan to assist the Central Bank in its broader effort to regulate the Afghan financial sector.

In addition, along with other U.S. departments, Treasury helped establish the Afghan Threat Finance Cell in 2009. Working in close coordination with Afghan counterparts, the Threat Finance Cell uses a full range of tools to target terrorist financial networks in Afghanistan.

Finally, the Treasury Department and the United States Agency for International Development are working with Afghan partners to help bring mobile banking and payment card services to the Afghan people. While it will take some time to develop, mobile banking in the long run has the potential to facilitate the distribution of micro-finance loans in agricultural sector, a powerful tool for economic development. At the same time, expanding the reach of the formal financial sector can help displace cash transactions, making it harder for criminals and terrorists to move money undetected.

As the United States continues to ramp up both its military presence and its civilian assistance to Afghanistan, I am hopeful that the strong partnerships between Treasury officials and their Afghan counterparts will grow even stronger. Many challenges remain. There is much work left to do. But we must keep at it. Because you who have worked so hard to educate yourselves, to develop the skills and tools to lead, deserve to inherit a nation in which those skills can be put to use.

The many challenges aside, I am optimistic. And what makes me most optimistic of all is the fact that some of you may soon join us in our efforts. I spent some time this morning reading through the course offerings here at AUAF. The range and depth of the curriculum is impressive. And I was particularly impressed with the expansive offerings in finance, business, accounting, and management.

Those disciplines are desperately needed in Afghanistan. Just as the United States Military looks forward to the day when we can begin to effect a responsible transition of to Afghan forces, we at Treasury look forward to the day when our technical expertise is no longer needed. Your education at this institution will hasten that day.

This spring, those of you in the "senior class," the first undergraduates of the American University of Afghanistan, will receive your diplomas. You will be among the best-prepared and best-trained citizens of Afghanistan. You will join in the difficult but vital work of building a nation that is stable, united, and economically independent; a nation in which honest, transparent governance is the rule, not the exception; a nation in which the ballot box, not the Kalashnikov or the roadside bomb, is the ultimate source of authority.

Before I close, let me add one thing: I have spoken this afternoon primarily about the importance of strengthening Afghanistan's public sector. As someone who has spent the majority of my career in public service in the United States, I believe that there is no higher calling than public service. But service to your nation can come in many forms. And although Afghanistan needs skilled and honest men and women to fill the ranks of government, Afghanistan also desperately needs people like you in other spheres: in business, in medicine, even in the arts. So I encourage you to ask yourself, as you pursue your education here at AUAF, and as you prepare for life beyond these walls, how can your talents be best used? How can you best contribute to the life of your nation?

Thank you again for the privilege of talking with you this afternoon. It is an honor and an experience that I will never forget. I look forward, in the time remaining, to a discussion with you.

Thank you.

Homeland Security Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report for 10 February 2010

Top Stories

The Associated Press reports that authorities on Monday arrested six suspected Taliban militants with a suicide vest and hand grenades who allegedly were on their way to attack the five-star Pearl Continental hotel and kill Americans in Lahore, Pakistan. (See item 43)

KETV 7 Omaha reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is racing the clock as it shores up a 3-mile levee where Salt Creek meets the Platte River in Nebraska. They are trying to complete their work before the ice melts, bringing the potential for flooding. (See item 48)

More Information
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/DHS_Daily_Report_2010-02-10.pdf

FEMA National Advisory Council Application Period Opens

February 9, 2010 - WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened the application period for positions on the National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC, which is comprised of emergency management professionals, meets quarterly to discuss, deliberate, and make recommendations on FEMA plans and strategies. FEMA is seeking to fill 12 positions on the council this year as some members’ terms end on June 15. The positions will be for a term of three years.

Specific areas of focus for the positions include Emergency Management, Public Health, Emergency Medical Provider, Standard Settings, Disability, Access and Functional Needs, State Non-Elected Official and Tribal Non-Elected Official. New or reappointed members would serve from June 15, 2010 to June 15, 2013.

The National Advisory Council was set into motion by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The membership of the NAC may consist of up to 35 members appointed by and serving at the discretion of the FEMA administrator. Since its inception, the council has made recommendations to the FEMA administrator on the National Response Framework, the National Incident Management System, the Stafford Act, the National Disaster Housing Strategy and disability and private sector issues.

Individuals seeking to be considered for an appointment to the council should submit a resume or curriculum vitae detailing their experience in the arena of emergency management or related field, state which discipline area or areas they are applying, and provide letters of recommendation. Applications may be submitted to FEMA-NAC@dhs.gov and must be received on or before 5:00 pm EST on Friday, March 5, 2010, in order to be considered. Please include your contact information on all correspondence.

For detailed information on how to apply visit: http://www.fema.gov/about/nac/. Also, a complete list of current FEMA National Advisory Council members is available on the FEMA website.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Forces Seize Weapons, Kill Attackers

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 9, 2010 - Afghan and international forces seized enemy weapons and killed insurgent attackers in operations in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported.

The Afghan National Army, supported by an international security patrol, destroyed 16 rockets and a mortar round in Kandahar province Feb. 7 and yesterday.

The Afghan soldiers were patrolling near Darivshan village when they received a tip about a weapons cache from an Afghan civilian. The soldiers went to the site and recovered 16 107 mm rockets. The following day, the same patrol element found an 82 mm mortar round in a garden near Shotor Gardon village.

An Afghan-led patrol in Paktika province yesterday found a large weapons cache after receiving a tip from a local resident in the Wazah Khwah district. The cache contained 54 artillery rounds, four mortar rounds and 18 fuses.

Also yesterday, a combined Afghan-international patrol discovered more than 20 mortar rounds in the Garm Ser district of Helmand province. Another combined patrol found 11 hand grenades and a rocket-propelled grenade round in the province's Kajaki district.

In a Feb. 6 operation in Helmand's Garm Ser district, an International Security Assistance Force patrol found 83 artillery rounds in a field.

On Feb. 5, an Afghan-international security force in the Musa Qaleh district of Helmand province killed two insurgents who attacked them with small-arms fire. Later, the force was engaged by more small-arms fire from different locations. A sniper supporting the patrol returned fire, killing another insurgent.

In another operation Feb. 5, a combined force found about 1,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, a belt of shotgun rounds, assault-rifle magazines and binoculars in Helmand's Garm Ser district of Helmand province.

(Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news releases.)

Iraqi Forces Capture Terrorism Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 9, 2010 - Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested numerous suspected terrorists and seized enemy weapons in various operations in Iraq in recent days.

Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members -- including the suspected commander and two deputies of their cell -- in a rural area northwest of Baghdad today.

The cell is believed to be responsible for maintaining weapons caches and carrying out deadly attacks against civilians and security forces. During a search, the security team found a shotgun, numerous assault rifles, packaging material used to transport explosives, a small rocket and terrorist propaganda.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to identify and arrest all five cell members wanted on their arrest warrant, including the suspected commander and deputies, as well as six suspected criminal accomplices.

Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected terrorists Feb. 7 during a combined operation in northeastern Mosul to capture a military commander for the Ansar al-Islam terrorist group. A suspected terrorist was killed during the operation.

Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi forces and and U.S. advisors stopped two vehicles to arrest the Ansar al-Islam military commander, whose group fabricates mobile rockets and improvised explosive devices frequently used in attacks against security forces in the region.

The suspected terrorist in the first vehicle was questioned, identified as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted individual, and arrested without incident.

After the security team stopped the second vehicle, the driver pulled a pistol from behind his back and pointed it toward security team members. Members of the security team engaged and killed him.

Following the vehicle stops, the security team searched a building from which the suspected terrorists had driven their vehicles -- a location confirmed by several previously arrested al-Qaida in Iraq members. The security team found a large cache of weapons and munitions.

The contents of the cache included 20 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, several machine guns and assault rifles, other assault weapons, several sniper rifles, rockets and rocket parts, mortar tubes and mortar rounds, mines, IED-making material, a robot that can be used to remotely transport IEDs, body armor, license plates and night-vision devices.

A man found in the building containing the weapons cache was arrested as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted Ansar al-Islam commander.

North of Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces arrested six suspected terrorists during two combined security operations north of Baghdad designed to capture two terrorist-group leaders.

In a rural area located north of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader linked to numerous criminal activities, including providing financial support and weapons to terrorist group members and conducting IED attacks.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted individual.

During a separate security operation in a rural area north of Baghdad, the Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected leader of the Salahuddin Brigade insurgency group, which is responsible for multiple rocket and IED attacks against security forces in the area. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest five suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

–On Feb. 7, Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group cell leader in the Sharqat district of Salahuddin province. An Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who is accused of facilitating the movement and transportation of magnetically attached bombs used in attacks on Iraqi forces.

Also on Feb. 7, Iraqi forces captured a suspected Baghdad explosives-cell member and arrested four other suspected terrorists during combined operations near Baghdad and Mosul to disrupt the operations of al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cells.

In the town of Hamariyah, west of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a man believed to be responsible for preparing vehicle-borne IEDs used in various deadly attacks throughout Baghdad.

Following preliminary questioning and evidence collection, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal accomplices.

During a separate operation in Bawirah, north of Mosul, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a building for a member of an al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell that is active in northern Mosul. Evidence found in the building included an assault rifle, two pistols and ammunition.

Based on the results of preliminary questioning, the Iraqi soldiers arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

In a Feb. 6 operation, and Iraqi emergency response unit arrested a suspected terrorist in a rural area northeast of Baghdad.

Based on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings in the Hamrin Lake area to arrest a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member. Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted individual.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)

Gates: Afghan Strategy Bears Fruit, Iraq on Track

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 9, 2010 - Noting signs that the new strategy in Afghanistan "is beginning to bear fruit," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also said during an interview aired last night that the effort to build up Iraq's security forces and move forward with the U.S. drawdown plan there remains on track. Gates spoke with Fox News Channel's Greta Van Susteren while visiting Rome, also addressing issues ranging from the Pakistani military's operations in South Waziristan to Iran's uranium enrichment activities.

The secretary noted signs of a possible turnaround in Afghanistan, as expressed last week at the NATO Ministerial in Istanbul by Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander on the ground. "He thought the situation was still serious, but no longer deteriorating," Gates said.

"I think we are beginning to see the impact of the Marines going into Helmand province. We are beginning to see the impact of increased forces in other places," Gates said. "I think part of what many of us are feeling is that there's an intangible increase in confidence and hope, both on the part of the Afghans, but also on the part of the nations that are with us in there, trying to help.

"There are some small signs that the strategy that General McChrystal is following is beginning to bear fruit," he added.

But Gates emphasized that the fight is far from over. "It is still going to be a hard fight. There's some very hard days ahead," he said.

The new strategy measures success, not in how many Taliban are killed, but by how many Afghans are protected, the secretary noted. As the Taliban's momentum begins to reverse, Gates said he expects more lower-level militants to put down their weapons and rejoin Afghan society through President Hamid Karzai's reintegration effort.

Gates said he's seeing initial indications that reintegration is working.

"We have to do two things: create conditions in which [former Taliban] can have a job and provide them security to protect them and their families [from Taliban reprisals]," Gates said. "But the key is, it seems to me, is that reconciliation has to be on the terms of the Afghan government and consistent with the Afghan constitution."

Turning to Iraq, Gates said Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top U.S. commander there, is "pretty comfortable" with the arrangements made to ensure a responsible drawdown of U.S. forces.

"The Iraqi security forces have continued to improve. We will continue that training role with them through 2011. We'll continue to do counterterrorism operations with them," Gates said. "But we are pretty much on schedule" with the drawdown plan.

Gates pointed to the recent, high-visibility attacks as al-Qaida's desperation to inflict ethnic division and make a comeback. "All the information we have points to al-Qaida in this," he said. "They are somewhat resurgent. That's why we will continue to work with the Iraqi security forces in trying to take these guys out."

Meanwhile, he said he's reassured that the political process in Iraq, which, although not progressing as smoothly as hoped, is proceeding democratically. "When it comes to politics in Baghdad, reality is, these guys are trying to solve their problems politically rather than with guns," he said.

Regarding Pakistan, Gates acknowledged the strong offensive the Pakistani military is conducting in South Waziristan and elsewhere around the country – one he said is exceeding all expectations.

"If you had told me 18 months or two years ago that the Pakistani army would be operating in South Waziristan, that they would have gone in the Bajaur Agency [within the Federally Administered Tribal Areas], that they had gone into Swat [Valley], I would have thought that would have been a miracle," he said.

"We always want them to do more," Gates said. "They push back. They are going to do it their own way. We will help as much as possible."

He reiterated the message he delivered while visiting Islamabad last month. "We are in this car together, but we recognize on your side of the border [with Afghanistan], you are in the driver's seat and you've got your foot on the accelerator," he said.

"There has been improvement in coordination," he continued. "And frankly, I think the Pakistanis have done a terrific job."

Gates expressed concern about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's defiance of the international community in moving forward with nuclear enrichment. The United States and the international community have given Iran ample opportunity to provide reassurances of its intentions, and that it will stop violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and U.N. resolutions, he said.

"The response has been consistently disappointing," he said, "So now we are in a position to turn to the pressure track and get broad international support for serious sanctions in terms of trying to get the Iranian government to change its approach."

More of Van Sustern's interview with Gates is scheduled to run tonight, with the focus expected to be on a possible overturn of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that bans gays from serving in the military.

Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Dillon B. Foxx, 22, of Traverse City, Mich., died Feb. 5 in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

For more information the media may contact the 82nd Airborne Division public affairs office at 910-432-0661.

Military and Police Books of the Year

Between the three websites, more than 2,200 American Heroes and their books are listed.

February 6, 2010, (San Dimas, CA) American Heroes Press, the publishers of www.military-writers.com, www.police-writers.com and www.firefighter-writers.com, announced the results of their annual recognition.

About the Websites
Military-Writers.com is a website that lists servicemembers from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who have authored books. Currently, the site lists 1146 servicemembers and their more than 3,700 books. Servicemembers are listed by name, branch, rank and type of book.

Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local law enforcement officials who have written books. Currently, the website lists 1,082 state or local police officers and their more than 2,300 books. Law enforcement officials are listed by name, department and type of book. Additionally, the website has separate sections which list federal law enforcement officials, international police officers and civilian police personnel.

FireFighter-Writers.com lists American firefighters and other emergency services personnel who have authored books. Currently, the site lists 22 firefighters and over 200 books.

About the Awards
The Military-Writers.com Book of Year 2010 focuses solely on the written contribution made by the servicemember. It is that book found by the panel of judges to be the most significant literary contribution made by a servicemember in the previous year.

The Police-Writers.com Book of the Year 2010 focuses solely on the written contribution made by the police officer. It is that book found by the panel of judges to be the most significant literary contribution made by a police officer in the previous year.

The Military-Writers.com 2010 Book of the Year
Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph authored by former Major Richard Botkin, USMC, is the Military-Writers.com Book of the Year.

Former United States Marine Corps Major Richard Botkin “graduated from the University of Michigan's School of Business. He served from 1980 to 1995 on active and reserve duty as a Marine Corps infantry officer with units to include 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and 4th Force Reconnaissance Company. His understanding for Southeast Asia has been enhanced by the nine medical/dental mission trips he helped to organize and lead to Cambodia between 1998 and 2007, and four trips to Vietnam, including one with his main Vietnamese character Le Ba Binh, to specifically do research for Ride the Thunder. Richard Botkin currently lives with his family in northern California, where he is an investment advisor for a major brokerage firm.” Richard Botkin is the author of Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph.

According to the book description of Ride the Thunder: A Vietnam War Story of Honor and Triumph, “Richard Botkin breaks new ground in telling the heroic story of a few American and Vietnamese Marines who fought brilliantly and turned the tide of the Vietnam War, only to have policymakers surrender the battlefield. Botkin recounts the exploits of the American Marines and their Vietnamese allies who were largely responsible for thwarting the North Vietnamese invasion of the northern portions of South Vietnam - known as the 'Easter Offensive of 1972' in the West that was intended to bring the nation to its knees. These are the men who 'rode the thunder' and almost saved a nation. Botkin tells the story of Captain John Ripley's daring raid to destroy the Dong Ha Bridge; Major Le Ba Binh and his seven hundred Marines bravely holding off more than 20 thousand North Vietnamese troops; Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Turley's leadership and bravery that helped thwart the Easter Offensive - and much more.”

The Police-Writers.com Book of the Year 2010
The Sixth Session authored by Lieutenant Joe Hefferon, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, is the Police-Writers.com Book of the Year.

Lieutenant Joe Hefferon of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office is a 22 year veteran of law enforcement who is currently assigned to the office of the chief. He “has been a police officer for more than twenty-two years. His experiences have given him access to the scarier hallways of the human psyche, helping to layer his narrative with poignancy, grit, and dark humor. Joe Hefferon is the proud parent of two beautiful children, Jack and Kaitlin.” Lieutenant Joe Hefferon is the author of The Sixth Session.

According to the book description of The Sixth Session, “Newspaper man Carter Jackson forms an unlikely alliance with Detective Brooke Enright to stop the awful killing of children while reconciling their own inner torment. Carter is reeling over the death of his beloved wife and immerses himself in the brutal investigation, set against one bitter cold December. The Sixth Session will make you think about the best and worst of human capacities. It will make you want to fall in love again, even with all its tragic consequences.”

American Heroes Press Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Chattanooga, Tenn. Explosives Detection Canine Helps Miami Prepare for Super Bowl XLIV

Local K-9 team works with security team in Miami for Super Bowl

February 6, 2010 - MIAMI, Fla. — Not everyone participating in this year’s Super Bowl is a football player. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have fielded their best players to help prepare for a safe and secure Super Bowl XLIV. These pros include ATF K-9 explosives detection teams that have been deployed to Miami from around the country. The K-9 teams are working side-by-side with other federal, state and local law-enforcement officers to keep the football teams and fans safe throughout this event.

“The K-9 teams that are here in Miami for the Super Bowl are the best of the best,” said Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Miami Field Division. “Like the football teams that will be playing in the Super Bowl, these handlers and their K-9 partners have been training and preparing all year for this event,” Barrera further stated. “We are proud to say that the only thing the fans have to worry about is whether their team wins or loses.”

One of the K-9 teams working in Miami is ATF Canine Handler Steven T. Brown and his black Labrador retriever, “Iroquois.” Steve and ATF K-9 Iroquois have been partners for four months and are detailed to Miami from the Chattanooga Police Department. They routinely work together in criminal investigations and at high profile security events where their expertise is needed detecting the presence of explosives, firearms and ammunition. They were called to assist at this year’s Super Bowl to help locate any type of explosive, which may be in close proximity to the Sun Life Stadium or any other venues relating to the big game.

ATF has used its explosives detecting canines at other special events including the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the Presidential Inauguration, the G-8, the World Series, NASCAR, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and of course, the Super Bowls.

ATF’s program, which began in 1986, uses only Labrador retrievers. The dogs are supplied by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Guide Dog Foundation, and Canine Companions for Independence. These specialty canines attend a 10-week training program with their handlers that are conducted at the ATF Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Va. Upon completion of this course, the canines are trained to detect a variety of explosive compounds and materials that could be used in an explosive device. The canines can also detect firearms and ammunition and are used in the more traditional protective search and sweep operations. Once the canine and the handler complete the ATF basic training course, they begin their field work and continue to train on a daily basis.

Nashville, Tenn. Explosives Detection Canine Helps Miami Prepare for Super Bowl XLIV

Local K-9 team works with security team in Miami for Super Bowl

February 6, 2010 - MIAMI, Fla. — Not everyone participating in this year’s Super Bowl is a football player. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have fielded their best players to help prepare for a safe and secure Super Bowl XLIV. These pros include ATF K-9 explosives detection teams that have been deployed to Miami from around the country. The K-9 teams are working side-by-side with other federal, state and local law-enforcement officers to keep the football teams and fans safe throughout this event.

“The K-9 teams that are here in Miami for the Super Bowl are the best of the best,” said Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Miami Field Division. “Like the football teams that will be playing in the Super Bowl, these handlers and their K-9 partners have been training and preparing all year for this event,” Barrera further stated. “We are proud to say that the only thing the fans have to worry about is whether their team wins or loses.”

One of the K-9 teams working in Miami is ATF Special Agent Canine Handler Karen Findlay and her black Labrador retriever, “Peggy.” Karen Findlay, an ATF special agent of 23 years and K-9 partner, Peggy, are detailed to Miami from ATF’s Nashville Field Division. They routinely work together in criminal investigations and at high profile security events where their expertise is needed detecting the presence of explosives, firearms and ammunition. They were called to assist at this year’s Super Bowl to help locate any type of explosive, which may be in close proximity to the Sun Life Stadium or any other venues relating to the big game.

ATF has used its explosives detecting canines at other special events including the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the Presidential Inauguration, the G-8, the World Series, NASCAR, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and of course, the Super Bowls.

ATF’s program, which began in 1986, uses only Labrador retrievers. The dogs are supplied by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Guide Dog Foundation, and Canine Companions for Independence. These specialty canines attend a 10-week training program with their handlers that are conducted at the ATF Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Va. Upon completion of this course, the canines are trained to detect a variety of explosive compounds and materials that could be used in an explosive device. The canines can also detect firearms and ammunition and are used in the more traditional protective search and sweep operations. Once the canine and the handler complete the ATF basic training course, they begin their field work and continue to train on a daily basis.

Force Detains Suspects, Seizes Weapons in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 5, 2010 - A combined Afghan and international security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized weapons and opium in recent operations, military officials reported. A combined force searched a compound south of the village of Bangluk in Kabul province's Kalakan district last night after intelligence indicated militant activity there. The force detained "a few" suspected insurgents, officials said.

Meanwhile, a combined security force arrested several suspected insurgents and confiscated a weapons cache yesterday in Kabul's Paghman district. The cache contained 18 hand grenades, three AK-47 assault rifles, a pistol and ammunition.

Elsewhere, an International Security Assistance Force patrol detained "a few" individuals in a known Taliban compound yesterday in Helmand province's Nad-e-Ali district, officials said. The individuals tested positive for explosives residue and had bomb-making materials and more than 20 pounds of opium in their possession. They were turned over to Afghan security forces.

In Kabul's Bagrami district, Afghan forces discovered 68 82 mm mortar rounds Feb. 1.

No shots were fired and no Afghan civilians were harmed during these operations, officials said.

(From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command news release.)

Wisconsin Guard unit gets bang-up training in Florida

February 5, 2010 - It sounds like the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 724th Engineer Battalion will be having a real blast this weekend. The battalion - Headquarters Company in Chippewa Falls, Company A (Forward Support) in Hayward, the 273rd Engineer Company (Sapper) in Medford and 950th Engineer Company (Clearance) in Spooner and Superior - is training at Camp Blanding, Fla., a National Guard facility, in preparation for its upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This weekend, that training includes explosives.

Military engineer units are often required to work with explosives for demolition missions, which can include clearing enemy landmines or fortifications.

The Camp Blanding Joint Training Center warned area residents that "louder-than-normal" explosions may be heard in the area surrounding a bombing range at the camp during daylight hours. The charges will be detonated in "safe, secluded areas posing no danger to the public," the alert stated.

Soldiers assigned to the 724th Engineer Battalion will report on active duty to their perspective armories in early March before traveling to Fort McCoy, Wis., where they will conduct several weeks of mobilization training before deploying overseas. The mobilization, including time scheduled for additional training at McCoy, is expected to last about one year. The Soldiers will spend about 10 months of the year-long mobilization in Iraq.

The 724th Engineer Battalion last mobilized to Iraq in March 2003 to July 2004 where they provided engineer support to coalition forces. Two subordinate units of the 724th recently returned from overseas deployments. The 829th Engineer Company (Vertical), with units in Chippewa Falls, Richland Center and Ashland deployed with the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Iraq. And the 951st Engineer Company (Sapper) deployed to Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, every unit in the Wisconsin National Guard has deployed Soldiers and Airmen in support of the global war on terrorism.

ChemBio Weapons & WMD Terrorism News, February 5, 2010

Philippines allege use of bioweapons by communist rebels
"A landmine that exploded at the boundary of Libug and Cabcaban villages in Sumisip town, the Philippines, reportedly contained biological weapons, authorities have said. Ten soldiers were wounded in the explosion and subsequent ambush in the southern Philippines region last Tuesday. Those soldiers then developed high fevers and were airlifted to a nearby hospital, the Philippine Star reported. [...] The biological component of the IED has yet to be identified, but local papers have called for the communist rebels who placed them to be censured for the use of biological weapons and landmines." (Bio Prep Watch; 05Feb10; Nick Rees)
ttp://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/211894

Companies [in Denmark] urged to heed biosecurity
"From the start of May, all companies who deal with substances that could be used to make biological weapons will be required to have an authorisation, as those in charge of controlling the sector say that security has been too lax up until now. The Centre for Biosecurity and Biopreparedness (CBB) is the agency that issues licences to institutions, hospital and companies to allow them work with what are called 'biological dual use components'. If a company doesn't have the licence from 1 May, then the responsible management person faces up to 2 years in jail. John-Erik Stig Hansen, head of CBB, told Business.dk that apart from health and safety workplace rules, there has been very little regulation for registering biological material. 'You could say that domestic safety has been extremely, extremely lax, [...] Companies should take it seriously – not just because the penalty for not having a licence can result in a 2 year jail term, but because no Danish companies or research institutions want to be involved in delivering components that can be used in a biological weapon attack,' [Hansen said]." (Copenhagen Post; 02Feb10) http://www.cphpost.dk/business/119-business/48113

Breakthrough could lead to cure for AIDS and other deadly viruses
"Researchers at UCLA, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Harvard University, Cornell University and the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases have developed an antiviral compound that attacks a wide variety of viruses through a common feature: their outer coating. [...] Similarly, the exact mechanism of LJ001's viral membrane inactivation is unknown, and the researchers are seeking an explanation. What knowledge is available is for the most part reassuring, including that the drug does not appear to be toxic in vitro or in animals at normal dosages." (Tech News World; 04Feb10; Pam Baker)
ttp://www.technewsworld.com/story/Breakthrough-Could-Lead-to-Cure-for-AIDS-and-Other-
Deadly-Viruses-69259.html

Ethics of medicalized weapons [biological incapacitants] questioned
"The latest issue of the Hastings Center Report takes aim at these new battlefield weapons, which could make fighting insurgents an easier proposition. [...] Michael L. Gross, a professor of political science and chair of the Division of International Relations at the University of Haifa, Israel, writes. 'Rather than disabling or killing enemy forces by causing traumatic injury, nonlethal weapons temporarily incapacitate their targets by causing physical distress, disorientation, or unconsciousness.' Gross argues that even though the principles of medical ethics require that practitioners do no harm, these new types of biological weapons, in the long run, will reduce casualties and protect civilians while causing only temporary harm." (Bio Prep Watch; 30Jan10; Nick Rees) ttp://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/211828

National Health Security Strategy
[Excerpt taken from foreword] Our Nation, like all countries, faces many threats with the potential for large-scale health consequences, including disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. Preparing for and responding to these and other threats requires the commitment of, and cooperation among, all segments of society: government, the private sector, local communities, and international partners. [...] Securing our Nation's health is a formidable task and must be a responsibility that is broadly shared among virtually all segments of society. The NHSS reflects current approaches and priorities for improving our Nation's ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a major health incident. However, the NHSS also acknowledges that achieving national health security is a long-term proposition [...]." (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; 31Dec10; Kathleen Sebelius) http://www.hhs.gov/aspr/opsp/nhss/strategy.html

CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Disaster Funding Set at $1.5B
"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's efforts to prepare for and respond to man-made and naturally occurring calamities would receive $1.53 billion under the fiscal 2011 budget of its parent agency, the Health and Human Services Department [...] The request is $16 million less than the agency received in this fiscal year for terrorism response and emergency preparedness. [...Related to this] Health and Human Services Department has requested a total of $911 billion for fiscal 2011, which begins Oct. 1." (Global Security Newswire; 05Feb10) http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100202_1009.php

Health [U.S. Health and Human Services] agency plans summit on U.S. biological threat preparations
"The U.S. Health and Human Services Department next week plans to conduct a summit with other government entities as it works to reassess the nation's strategy for producing treatments for biological weapons materials and other public health threats [...] The two-day conference will examine federal policies and activities from initial research all the way through government approval of the sale of vaccines and other agents and suggest what improvements, if any, should be made to the system. [...] There are a half-dozen objectives for the Feb. 11-12 session at the National Academy of Sciences building, according to an Institute of Medicine announcement."  (Global Security Newswire; 05Feb10; Martin Matishak) http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100205_3588.php

NIH [National Institutes of Health] Seeks Volunteers for Smallpox, Bioterrorism Study
"Saint Louis University is seeking volunteers for a study on a vaccine against smallpox as a bioterrorist agent. The university's Center for Vaccine Development is leading the National Institutes of Health-funded study at five U.S. centers. [...] The study will compare two smallpox vaccines and the body's immune response when the vaccine is administered two different ways." (Fox News; 02Feb10; Source: AP)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584566,00.html

New virtual community to connect bioterrorism experts
"The Delaney Center at Mount St. Mary's University has launched a new virtual community that allows intelligence officers, students and even Capitol Hill executives to network with bioterrorism experts, bodyguards and academics. [...] This new, invitation-only network, which takes place on the Yakabox knowledge sharing systems certified for use in classified environments by the U.S. Government [and it uses] the same security standards as those deployed in the U.S. intelligence community." (Bio Prep Watch; 02Feb10; Tina Redlup)
http://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/211837-new-virtual-community-to-connect-bioterrorism-
experts

$40 million in funds cleared for NBAF [National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility]
"A Senate committee Tuesday recommended approval of a resolution urging Congress and the Obama administration to move quickly in funding a biosecurity lab [The National Bio and Agro- Defense Facility] at Kansas State University. The Ways and Means Committee action occurred one day after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security vowed to dedicate $40 million in unobligated funds toward construction of the facility." (Lawrence Journal-world; 02Feb10; Scott Rothschild)
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/feb/02/statehouse-live-nbaf-funding-moves-forward/

Science triumphs in Obama's 2011 budget request
"President Barack Obama wants to spend next year on science shows across-the-board increases for research and training. Those gains come despite the president's plan to freeze domestic discretionary programs in hopes of reducing a $1.4 trillion deficit. [...] The Administration proposes eliminating CDC's anthrax vaccine activities, which began in 1999. According to the budget, 'The program has achieved its goals of reducing the number of vaccine doses, simplifying the administration route, and conducting long-term safety surveillance.' Cutting the program would trim $3 million from CDC's 2011 budget." (Science Insider ; 01Feb10; Jeffrey Mervis) http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2010/02/science-triumph.html

Grading the report card: assessing the WMD Commission chairs' biological scores
"In 2008, former senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and Jim Talent (R-MO) chaired the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. [...] The [resulting] report recommended that the U.S. government 'enhance the nation's capabilities for rapid response to prevent biological attacks from inflicting mass casualties.' The Graham- Talent report card gave the U.S. government an 'F' for its efforts in this area. [...] Graham and Talent [...] appear to overlook President Obama's Executive Order assigning the U.S. Postal Service responsibility for dispensing medical countermeasures [...and] the first ever National Health Security Strategy developed by [the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] HHS. Moreover, many would argue that the 'F' grade exaggerates the utility of developing and stockpiling medical countermeasures, particularly vaccines, to defend against hypothetical bioterrorist threats." (James Martin Center For Nonproliferation Studies; 29Jan10; Kirk Bansak) http://www.cns.miis.edu/stories/100129_bw_report_card.htm

Biological threats: a matter of balance
"The Graham-Talent WMD Commission asserted again last week that a bioterrorism attack that 'will fundamentally change the character of life for the world's democracies' is highly likely to occur within the next four years. [...] Advances in the life sciences may gradually put bioweapon capabilities closer within terrorist reach, but scientific and technological progress alone doesn't warrant exaggeration of the bioterrorist threat. Rather than basing policy on worst-case scenarios, the United States should develop and conduct more plausible, sophisticated threat assessments that take into account the complex set of political, social, and technical factors that would affect bioweapons development and use." (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; 02Feb10; Scientists Working Group on Biological and Chemical Weapons) http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/op-eds/biological-threats-matter-of-balance

Malls could be targets for Al Qaida bioterror[ist] attacks
"In a report published in The Washington Post by Bruce Hoffman, author of the study at Georgetown Univeristy's Walsh School of Foreign Service that revealed the new targets, it is reported that malls could become a new target. [...] Attacks on malls are not out of the question, with Joint Terrorism Task Force information verifying that terror[ist] networks operating within the U.S. believe that they pose a legitimate terrorist target." (Bio Prep Watch; 30Jan10; Tina Redlup)
http://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/211829

Seeking biosecurity without verification: the new U.S. strategy on biothreats
In effect, President Barack Obama has decided not to reverse the 2001 decision by the Bush administration to reject a draft BWC compliance protocol that had been developed over six years of multilateral negotiations from 1995 to 2001. The protocol would have created a legally binding inspection regime for the BWC, which still lacks formal verification measures. [...] In lieu of a decision to return to the negotiating table, the Obama administration released a 23-page 'National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats,' which was distributed to the delegations in Geneva. This strategy seeks to reinforce the objectives of the BWC through a variety of indirect measures [...]." (James Martin Center For Nonproliferation Studies; 01Feb10; Jonathan B. Tucker)
http://cns.miis.edu/other/tucker_jonathan_100128_seeking_biosecurity.pdf

2010 marks two firsts for weapons disposal plant [Blue Grass Chemical Depot, KY]
Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) team reached two milestones in January with the installation of the final structural steel beam on a key support facility and the first concrete placement in the main processing building of the chemical weapons destruction pilot plant. [...] Over the next several weeks, work crews will also begin assembling the Metal Parts Treater, the first piece of processing equipment to be installed there. The chemical weapons destruction plant, under construction at a site on the Blue Grass Army Depot off of Hwy. 52, will destroy a stockpile of chemical weapons containing 523 tons of nerve and mustard agents." (Richmond Register; 03Feb10) http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_034070741.html

Kentucky and Indiana would get billions in new budget proposal
"Kentucky and Indiana would receive billions of dollars for public works, schools, college loans and emergency management agencies under the budget that President Barack Obama proposed Monday. [...] The president proposed $511million for disposing of chemical and biological weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County and another site in Colorado. Construction is well under way on a disposal site in Kentucky. Craig Williams, executive director of the Chemical Weapons Working Group, a citizens' watchdog organization in Berea, praised the request for the chemical weapons projects. 'The 2011 request is most welcome news as it reflects a commitment by the administration and (Defense) Secretary (Robert) Gates to follow through on their promises to fully fund the program,' Williams said in an e-mail." (Courier- Journal; 01Feb10; James R. Carroll)
http://goo.gl/TQD7

Russia denies radioactive dumping off Sweden
"'This is complete nonsense and a clear provocation, propagated at an international level,' Admiral Vladimir Yegorov, who commanded the Baltic fleet from 1991 to 2000, told the Interfax news agency. [...] 'The naval forces that were pulling out of the Liepaja naval base in Latvia in the early 1990s did not have chemical weapons, radioactive materials and waste,' Yegorov insisted. He added that the Russian naval forces were monitored by Latvia as they pulled out of the port and that the naval command acted 'strictly within the framework of Russian and Latvian agreements.'" (Swedish Wire; 05Feb10; Source: AFP)
http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/2732

Chemical weapons dumped in Baltic Sea during 1990s
"Swedish politicians Thursday called for a probe into reports that chemical weapons and radioactive waste from a former Soviet military base were dumped in the Baltic Sea. Broadcaster SVT Wednesday screened a documentary where a Swedish military intelligence agent said the dumping took place near the Swedish island of Gotland between 1989 and 1992. [...] The waste was said to originate from a Soviet military base in Latvia, which was evacuated after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Swedish military intelligence in 1999 and 2000 compiled three highly classified reports about the alleged dumping in what is now Sweden's economic zone but apparently no follow-up was made, the documentary alleged. Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said he had not seen the documentary and had no comment about its accuracy. 'We have to find out what sort of information the former government received. Obviously their assessment was that they did not need to act on this information,' Bildt told Swedish radio news." (Earth Times; 04Feb10)
p://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/307523,report-chemical-weapons-dumped-in-baltic-sea-
during-1990s.html

Swedish PM [Fredrik Reinfeldt] wants answers on Baltic Sea dumping
"Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Thursday requested explanations from a previous government on Russia's release of toxic waste into Swedish waters in the Baltic Sea, his spokeswoman told AFP. Swedish public television SVT reported Wednesday that between 1991 and 1994 Russia dumped chemical weapons and radioactive waste off the shores of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. The network also said the Social Democrat government that came into power in 1994 was informed of the dumping by military intelligence in the late 1990s, but failed to act on the information. [...] Current foreign minister Carl Bildt, who was Sweden's prime minister while the dumping was taking place, said Thursday he had not been informed it was happening." (Agence France Presse; 04Feb10)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gyHPmAUmRCko60V-7uWUy-
qQmrw

New clue to Georgi Markov umbrella assassin as police see Cold War files
The murder of a Cold War dissident in London with a poisoned umbrella could finally be solved. In a major breakthrough, Scotland Yard officers examined secret files in Bulgaria about the 1978 assassination of opposition activist Georgi Markov. Counter-terrorism detectives spent two weeks in Sofia sifting through the communist-era archives. [...Markov] died in hospital [...] and a postmortem found a tiny metal pellet laced with deadly ricin in his leg. [...] The prime suspect has always been Francesco Gullino, a Dane of Italian origin codenamed Agent Piccadilly. left Denmark in 1993 but is thought to be still alive. Another key figure is former Bulgarian intelligence chief General Vladimir Todorov." (Mirror, U.K.; 02Feb10; Jon Clements)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/02/01/new-clue-to-georgi-markov-umbrella-
assassin-as-police-see-cold-war-files-115875-22010169/

Ex-MI6 chief likely to give evidence to Chilcot inquiry behind closed doors
"Crucial evidence to the Iraq inquiry by Sir Richard Dearlove, the head of MI6 at the time of the 2003 invasion, is likely to be heard in private. He presented to Tony Blair the intelligence, obtained from an agent known as 'Curveball', that Saddam Hussein had mobile production facilities for chemical weapons. Blair told the Chilcot inquiry on Friday: 'This did have an impact on me at the time, although this particular piece of intelligence turned out later to be wrong.' [...] Chilcot has defended the need for some evidence to be heard behind closed doors. 'If the inquiry is to succeed in getting to the heart of what happened and what lessons need to be learnt, we recognise that some evidence sessions will need to be private,' he said at its opening." (Guardian; 31Jan10; Toby Helm and Jamie Doward) http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/31/mi6-chilcot-inquiry-iraq-war

Aafia Siddiqui guilty of shooting at Americans in Afghanistan
"A Pakistani neuroscientist was convicted on Wednesday of trying to kill American military officers while she was in custody in Afghanistan, capping a trial that drew notice for its terrorist implications as well as its theatrics. [...] The verdict puts a final mark on one of the more twisted yet fascinating trials of a terror suspect, whose back story has attracted the attention of human rights groups as well as federal prosecutors. In the course of the 14-day trial, Ms. Siddiqui was ejected numerous times for her outbursts, two jurors were removed from the case and one observer was arrested. [...] Ms. Siddiqui recited a long list of academic achievements, including a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Brandeis University. But she suggested that her studies of chemicals did not equip her to be a terrorist. 'To answer your question, I don't know how to make a dirty bomb,' she said, adding that she 'couldn't kill a rat myself.'" (New York Times; 05Feb10; C.J.
Hughes)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/nyregion/04siddiqui.html

Iran details interrogation of two executed last week
"The office of the public prosecutor at Tehran's Revolutionary Court on Monday published details about two people who were executed last week on charges of being a mohareb -- an enemy of God. [...] Rahmani-Pour, who was executed on Thursday, told his interrogators that through his connections with the pro-monarchy group, he had been convinced that the Pahlavi regime should be reinstated in Iran. He then said that he had gathered more than 100 kilograms (220 lb) of chemicals to make explosives, the statement added. [...] According to the statement, the other man executed Thursday was Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, who was also associated with Kingdom Assembly of Iran. 'Ali-Zamani had illegally entered Iraq's Kurdistan, where he applied for asylum. There, he met with Forood Fouladvand [the leader of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran],' read the statement. It added that Ali-Zamani had received trainings regarding 'nuclear terrorism' as well as making dirty bombs." (Press T.V., Iran; 01Feb10)
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117604

Nuclear sensors for law enforcement officers ahead of World Cup tourney
"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has undertaken to empower the relevant security apparatuses in Botswana with the right skills and acumen to be able to detect and arrest anyone involved in the movement and transportation of harmful radioactive material during the course of the World Cup games due in June 2010. Carter Morupisi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, acknowledged the move thus, 'Botswana, as member of the IAEA, has signed binding agreements that oblige her to ensure accountability and safe disposition of all radioactive substances within her sovereignty.' [...] Again, Morupisi pointed out that previous effort to enhance radiation safety have resulted in the passing of the Radiation Protection Act, of 2006, the Regulations of 2008 and the establishment of the Radiation Inspectorate all of which the senior official proudly expressed delight, in the fact that they are now fully functional. [...] Speaking to the Sunday Standard on the sidelines of the meeting which was held at the Gaborone Sun Hotel grounds, a nuclear expert from the agency, Scott Purvis could not deny that they feared for the use of chemical weapons by terrorists during the World Cup games." (Sunday Standard, Botswana; 31Dec10; Gowenius Toka)
http://sundaystandard.info/news/news_item.php?NewsID=6838

Exercise tests first responders [Bryan County, GA]
"Fort Stewart conducted exercise '2009 Stewart Guardian' last Wednesday and, according to public affairs spokesman Kevin Larson, the operation went well. 'Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield conducted this exercise to validate our preparedness for emergency responders,' Larson said. [...] Dina McKain, who also works in the public affairs office, said this year's scenario had a deranged former soldier hijacking a small aircraft and forcing the pilot to land it at Fort Stewart.  The fictitious assailant then killed the pilot, exited the plane while firing a machine gun and detonated a 'dirty bomb.' [...] The exercise was conducted at Wright Army Airfield and included emergency rescue units from both Fort Stewart, Liberty County and Savannah. [...]" (Bryan County News; 04Feb10; Mike Riddle) http://www.bryancountynews.net/news/article/4956/

Counties get funds for disaster prep [OR]
"Public officials in Linn and Benton counties will begin planning how to keep their segment of government running in the event of a disaster -- called Continuity of Operations Planning -- thanks to a $291,667 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller and county emergency services director Jim Howell told the board of commissioners about the program on Tuesday. [...] Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Yamhill, Marion and Polk counties work together as an emergency management region, Howell said. They have contracted with Bold Planning Solutions out of Nashville, Tenn., to develop plans on how each of their departments can continue to provide services in the event of a major storm, fire, flood or, as occurred a couple years ago at the Linn County Courthouse, closure due to a potential health threat such as anthrax. Each county will hold day-long training sessions, and in addition to county department heads, staff from cities within each of the counties are invited to attend. [...Critical response] information will be entered into a web-based database, which incorporates an easy, walk-through data entry process." (Albany Democrat-herald; 03Feb10; Alex Paul)
http://www.democratherald.com/news/local/article_06c9a436-1109-11df-967c-

Rep. Edward J.] Markey [D-MA] and others introduce government response bill
"Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), along with Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), today introduced H.R. 4580, the Metropolitan Medical Response System Act, to ensure that local emergency management plans are properly integrated and coordinated in the event of a terrorist attack using a Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) such as a nuclear bomb or biological weapon, natural disaster or disease outbreak. H.R. 4580 would fund the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) [...] MMRS was established in the wake of the deadly release of sarin nerve gas in a Tokyo subway and the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. The program provides funds to local jurisdictions in 43 states to enhance emergency planning, communication, training, equipment, and stockpile pharmaceuticals." (Lexington Minuteman; 03Feb10)
http://www.wickedlocal.com/lexington/news/x1090836912/Markey-and-others-introduce- government-response-bil

Pakistani scientist's trial hits closing arguments
"Jurors heard a U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist portrayed Monday in closing arguments at her attempted murder trial as both a would-be terrorist determined to kill Americans and a fearful woman framed by the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher La Vigne cited testimony that Aafia Siddiqui had bomb-making instructions, documents referencing a 'mass casualty attack' and a list of New York City landmarks including the Statue of Liberty when she was detained in Afghanistan in 2008. [...] During the two-week trial, FBI agents and U.S. soldiers testified that when they went to interrogate Siddiqui at an Afghan police station, she snatched up an unattended assault rifle and shot at them while yelling, 'Death to Americans.' [...] Though Siddiqui was not charged with terrorism, authorities have portrayed her as a combative al-Qaida sympathizer who hated the United States." (Washington Post; 01Feb10; Tom Hays, AP) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/01/AR2010020101228.html

Pentagon to Augment Anti-WMD Capabilities
"The U.S. Defense Department said today in the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review that it intends to enhance its capabilities to prevent the spread and use of weapons of mass destruction. [...] Means of addressing those dangers include securing or eliminating potential weapons materials, tight scrutiny of potentially deadly agents and delivery systems, and countermeasures against an attack, according to the report. [...] Also on the agenda are creation of 'countermeasures, defenses and mitigation strategies' intended to persuade enemies against using biological or chemical warfare materials." (Global Security Newswire; 01Feb10) http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100201_1754.php

DOD Announces Army Civilian Employee As Excused Absence Whereabouts Unknown

The Department of Defense today announced the identity of a civilian employee listed as Excused Absence Whereabouts Unknown (EAWUN) while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Issa T. Salomi, 60, of El Cajon, Calif., has been unaccounted for since Jan. 23. He was last seen in Baghdad, Iraq, where he is assigned to U.S. Forces – Iraq.

Search and recovery efforts are ongoing.

For more information contact the U.S. Forces - Iraq at (240) 553-0581 ext. 3747 or usfipressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil.

Gates Pledges Mine-resistant Vehicles to ISAF

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 5, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today pledged surplus mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles along with expanded access to classified information to U.S. allies to help in combating the threat of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan. "The United States will now do whatever we can within the limits of U.S. law, and as soon as we can, to provide as many surplus MRAPs as possible to allies, especially to those operating in high-risk areas," Gates said at a news conference here after meeting with the defense ministers of 44 International Security Assistance Force partner nations.

Gates promised to sell, loan or donate surplus U.S. bomb-detecting equipment, including the MRAPs, along with route-clearing robots and ground-penetrating radars.

Gates credited the MRAP vehicles with already saving "thousands of lives" in Afghanistan.

The MRAPs that are likely to make their way to allied forces are those that are coming from Iraq. Gates said the drawdown there has given U.S. forces a surplus of the vehicles. Law dictates that the needs of U.S. troops must be met first before any such equipment can be sold or loaned to other countries.

The MRAPs in Iraq are the older versions more suited for on-road travel, as opposed to the newer all-terrain vehicles known as M-ATVs now being fielded in Afghanistan. Still, Gates said, they are better protection against the killer bombs than what the allies are using now.

A U.S. official speaking after the announcement said some countries have expressed interest in buying the newer M-ATVs, and that sales of those vehicles will be expedited when possible.

The United States currently has loaned about 50 MRAPs to Polish forces fighting in Afghanistan. They are the only other country's forces to use the vehicles.

About 8,500 MRAPs are in Iraq, and more than 4,100 are in Afghanistan. About 2,200 more are in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. The United States has fielded about 800 M-ATVs in Afghanistan.

Gates traveled here yesterday to meet with NATO and ISAF partners partly to lobby for more trainers and mentors needed to bolster the efforts in Afghanistan. NATO has committed to sending about 9,000 extra troops.

Nearly all of the 40,000 combat troops requested by Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, have been committed, but about 4,000 more trainers and mentors are needed.

Another meeting is planned for the end of this month in which commitments will have to be made. The two-day conference here is the start of the efforts to persuade the partners -- many of whom already had planned to reduce the number of their forces in Afghanistan -- to deliver more troops.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said today that Gates' promise of more counter-IED support will help to bolster that commitment from ISAF partners. In fact, Rasmussen said, NATO has outlined its priorities, with fighting the IED threat at the top of the list.

Gates called on NATO to provide more trainers, saying they are "needed immediately," and that "this is a critical moment in Afghanistan."

The secretary said that the newly implemented U.S. strategy, alongside fresh NATO and ISAF resources, will pave the way for success in Afghanistan.

"I believe the pieces are being put in place to make real and measurable progress," Gates said. "I'm confident that we can achieve our objectives, but only if the coalition can muster the resolve for this difficult and dangerous mission."

Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Feb. 3 in Timagara, Pakistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st Class David J. Hartman, 27, of Okinawa, Japan. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.


Sgt. 1st Class Matthew S. Sluss-Tiller, 35, of Callettsburg, Ky. He was assigned to the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.


Staff Sgt. Mark A. Stets, 39, of El Cajon, Calif. He was assigned to the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at 910-432-6005, or visit http://news.soc.mil/.

Iraqi Forces Arrest Terrorism Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 5, 2010 - Iraqi security forces, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested seven terrorism suspects in operations in Iraq today and yesterday, military officials said.

Iraqi security forces arrested a suspected terrorist today during a security operation to search for an attack cell leader in southwestern Baghdad associated with the Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorist organization.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched three buildings for the suspected leader, who's believed to be responsible for coordinating training in Iran for militants loyal to the terrorist organization. He also allegedly is involved in weapons smuggling and is believed to be planning rocket attacks and assassinations targeting government officials in Baghdad.

Information gathered during the operation resulted in the arrest of a suspect associated with the leader.

Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces arrested six suspected terrorists yesterday during an operation in western Mosul to capture an al-Qaida in Iraq leader for the Mosul area.

Acting on an Iraqi court-issued warrant, Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, stopped two vehicles in which the suspected leader was believed to be traveling.

Iraqi forces arrested six suspected criminal associates of the leader.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)

Taiwan Exporter Arrested on Charges of Exporting Missile Components from the United States to Iran

February 5, 2010 - David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Jeffrey H. Sloman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Investigations, and James M. Foster, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, announced that defendant Yi-Lan Chen, aka "Kevin Chen," 40, a Taiwan passport holder, was arrested on Feb. 3, 2010, on charges of illegally exporting commodities for Iran’s missile program.

More specifically, the complaint charges defendant Chen with exporting and attempting to export U.S. commodities to Iran in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the United States Iran Embargo (the Embargo). The Embargo prohibits the exportation from the United States to Iran of any goods, technology, or services, with limited exceptions, unless authorized by the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC). The Embargo is enforced through the IEEPA. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Chen facilitated the purchase and export of various dual use goods from the U.S. to Iran by way of Taiwan and Hong Kong. "Dual use" goods are goods and technologies that have commercial application, but also could make a significant contribution to the military or nuclear potential of other nations and could be detrimental to the foreign policy or national security of the United States.

U.S. Attorney Jeffrey H. Sloman stated, "Keeping our nation safe is the number one priority of the Department of Justice. To that end, we will vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals who export items to prohibited entities such as the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and remains subject to United States, United Nations and European Union economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and its nuclear weapons ambitions. The dual use items allegedly exported in this case could easily be used in missile development and other military components. Such conduct poses a serious threat to our national security, and will not be tolerated."

"Today's arrest is the result of ongoing cooperation between government agencies to combat the illegal transshipment of U.S.-origin items to Iran," said Michael Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce's Miami Office of Export Enforcement. "We will continue to work together to pursue willful violators no matter where they set up their networks and protect our national security."

"This investigation is another fine example of how effective these law enforcement partnerships can be at ensuring that the sale and distribution of dual-use technology is done lawfully," said Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Investigations in Miami. "This case will send a message to those individuals who attempt to profit by illegally supplying improper dual-use technology to other countries. ICE will continue to aggressively pursue those who violate U.S. export laws."

The complaint alleges that Chen caused dual use goods to be exported from the U.S., including P200 Turbine Engines and spare parts, MIL-S-8516 Sealing Compound, Glass to Metal Pin Seals, and Circular Hermetic Connectors (Model MIL-C-81703). P200 Turbine Engines are designed for use as model airplane engines but can also be used to operate unmanned aerial vehicles and military target drones. MIL-S-8516 Sealing Compound is an accelerated, synthetic, rubber sealing compound used for sealing low-voltage electrical connectors, wiring and other electrical equipment against moisture and corrosion. This particular sealant is designed to military specifications and has numerous applications in military, aerospace, and automotive industries. It is also considered a hazardous material for shipping purposes.

Glass to Metal Pin Seals are commonly used to seal a conductor pin in a metal feed thru in an electrical device. These have many applications, such as vacuum components, sensor or transducer housings, feedthroughs for harsh environments and battery headers. The pin seals exported by Chen were designed with the nickel alloy known as "Alloy 52" and have dual applications in aerospace industries, thermal imaging devices, chemical agent monitors, and weapons systems. Circular Hermetic Connectors are designed to facilitate the flow of electrical current across two devices and can be mechanically coupled to, or uncoupled from, another connection. These connectors are designed to military specifications and have aerospace, defense, industrial and petrochemical applications.

As alleged in the complaint affidavit, federal agents learned of Chen’s efforts to obtain and export U.S. goods and commodities after Chen attempted to export detonators through a California company using unsatisfactory information in documents regarding Chen’s ultimate customers. The investigation revealed that Chen’s ultimate customers for the dual use exports listed in the complaint are all in Iran.

The investigation also revealed that Chen’s customers included buyers for Electro SANAM Industries. According to www.iranwatch.org, part of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, Electro SANAM Industries is a known front company for Aerospace Industries Organization ("AIO") in Iran and has been linked to Iranian ballistic missile programs. AIO conducts research and development on ballistic missiles and is a leading industrial and military subsidiary of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Armed Forces Logistics of Iran. In addition, Electro SANAM Company is listed in annex IV of U.N Security Council Resolution 1803, dated March 3, 2008, for links to nuclear proliferation activities.

The complaint also alleges that another customer for receipt of the dual goods listed in the complaint is the owner of the Noavaran Sooyab Sanat Co. in Tehran, Iran. Sooyab Sanat Co. was founded in 1989 as an instrumentation division of Jahad Engineering Research Center. Jahad Engineering Research Center is one of many names used by the Engineering Research Center for the Construction Crusade (Jihad-e Sazandegi), located in Tehran, Iran, which has been linked to chemical research and development facilities. According to www.iranwatch.org, part of the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, in 2006, Jahad Engineering Research Center has been listed as an entity of concern by the British government regarding the procurement of weapons of mass destruction.

According to the complaint affidavit, customers in Iran sent orders by e-mail to Chen for specific U.S.-manufactured goods. Chen then requested quotes, usually by e-mail, from U.S. businesses and made arrangements for the sale and shipment of the goods to one of several freight forwarders in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Once in Hong Kong or Taiwan, the goods were then shipped to Iran.

If convicted, Chen faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and possible fines of up to $1 million. Chen was arrested in Guam on the outstanding arrest warrant from the Southern District of Florida. This morning, Chen appeared before a Magistrate Judge in Guam for his initial appearance. At the initial appearance, Chen waived removal, was taken into custody and was ordered to appear in the Southern District of Florida. No date has been set for Chen’s first appearance in the Southern District of Florida.

Mr. Sloman commended the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Investigations, and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, for their work on this investigation. Mr. Sloman also thanked the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for their assistance in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Damian.

A complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Aafia Siddiqui Found Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court of Attempting to Murder U.S. Nationals in Afghanistan and Six Additional Charges

February 5, 2010 - PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that AAFIA SIDDIQUI was found guilty in Manhattan federal court on charges related to the attempted murder and assault of U.S. nationals and U.S. officers and employees in Afghanistan. SIDDIQUI was found guilty of all charges against her following a 14-day jury trial before United States District Judge RICHARD M. BERMAN in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

According to the Indictment filed in Manhattan federal court and evidence presented at trial:

On July 17, 2008, SIDDIQUI was detained by Afghan authorities, who found a number of items in her possession, including handwritten notes that referred to a "mass casualty attack" and that listed various locations in the United States, including Plum Island, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Other notes in SIDDIQUI's possession referred to the construction of "dirty bombs," and discussed various ways to attack "enemies," including by destroying reconnaissance drones, using underwater bombs, and using gliders.

The next day, on July 18, 2008, a team of U.S. servicemen and law enforcement officers, and others assisting them, attempted to interview SIDDIQUI in Ghazni, Afghanistan, where she had been detained by local police the day before. The U.S. interview team included, among others: three officers and employees of the U.S. Army; two officers and employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and two U.S. Army contract interpreters.

The interview of SIDDIQUI was to take place at an Afghan police compound in Ghazni. In a second-floor meeting room at the compound—where SIDDIQUI was being held, unbeknownst to the U.S. interview team, unsecured, behind a curtain—SIDDIQUI grabbed a U.S. Army officer's M-4 rifle and fired it at another U.S. Army officer and other members of U.S. interview team. During the shooting, SIDDIQUI exclaimed her intent and desire to kill Americans.

SIDDIQUI then assaulted one of the U.S. Army interpreters, as he attempted to obtain the M-4 rifle from her. SIDDIQUI subsequently assaulted one of the FBI agents and one of the U.S. Army officers, as they attempted to subdue her. The evidence at trial showed that, while a student in Boston, Massachusetts, she had undertaken training and instruction on the handling and shooting of firearms.

On August 4, 2008, SIDDIQUI was brought from Afghanistan to Manhattan federal court to face a criminal indictment obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Trial began on January 13, 2010, and concluded today with the jury reaching a guilty verdict on all counts. Specifically, the jury convicted SIDDIQUI of the following crimes: (1) one count of attempting to kill U.S. nationals outside the United States; (2) one count of attempting to kill U.S. officers and employees; (3) one count of armed assault of U.S. officers and employees; (4) one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and (5) three counts of assault of U.S. officers and employees.

SIDDIQUI, 37, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2010. SIDDQIUI faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the attempted murder and armed assault charges; life in prison on the firearm charge; and eight years in prison on each of the remaining assault charges. SIDDIQUI faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison on the firearm charge.

Mr. BHARARA praised the investigative work of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force—which principally consists of agents of the FBI and detectives of the New York City Police Department. He also expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Department of Justice's National Security Division and the U.S. Department of State for their assistance in the case.

"Today, a jury has brought Aafia Siddiqui to justice in a court of law for trying to murder American military and law enforcement officers, as well as their Afghan colleagues. We are grateful for the efforts of the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force in this important case," said U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA.

This case is being handled by the Office's Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys CHRISTOPHER L. LAVIGNE, DAVID M. RODY, and JENNA M. DABBS are in charge of the prosecution.