Published: August 27, 2005
Op-Ed Contributor
Crossfire War: Asia; Al-Qaeda Planning Asian Attack on Financial Centers
By Willard Payne 
Night Watch: In pursuing the Jihad’s economic agenda, Al-Qaeda (Tehran - Riyadh) is reported to be planning an attack against an Asian financial center to destroy investor confidence in the region. [ Herald and Weekly Times ] They came close in December 2001 when Singapore uncovered more than a ton of explosives set to go off.
France’s leading terrorist investigator, Jean-Louis Bruguiere, was interviewed by the Financial Times in which he said, "We have elements of information that make us think that countries in this region, especially Japan, could have been targeted. Any attack on a financial market like Japan would mechanically have an important economic impact on the confidence of investors. Other countries in this region, such as Singapore and Australia, are also potential targets."
Because of his 20 year career of investigating and arresting terrorists since the min-1980’s Bruguiere had been nicknamed "Le Sheriff". His interest began with a series of bombings that hit Paris in the mid-80’s and works with a special team of judges. He has been warning of terrorists using aircraft ever since an Air France flight out of Algeria was hijacked by radicals in 1994 who threatened to crash it into the Eiffel Tower. The plane was stormed by commandos as it was refueling in Marseille.
His work has led to the arrest of more than 500 suspects. He said there were indications long before July 7 that Britain would come under attack. Bruguiere noted that the British Consulate and HSBC bank in Istanbul were bombed on the same day in November 2003 that President George W. Bush was making a state visit to London. The July 7 bombings took place as Britain began hosting a meeting of industrialized nations, Group of Eight summit.
Bruguiere continued, "The symbolism is a fundamental element that we neglect in the overall problem, the issue (for terrorist and those who finance them) is not just about the number of victims. It is also the value of the event in a media, political and geopolitical context." That is no doubt part of the motive behind Iran currently targeting Bangladesh with the hundreds of small bombs around the country on August 17.
Mr. Bruguiere may have been influential in France’s decision to shut down the Paris branch office of Bechtel Group, No. 38 Rue Bassano. He of course would know that French investment in a corporation constructing a network of military bases for Iran is not to France’s advantage. I assume he also realizes that Bin Laden can’t arrange any flight school training, nor would Bin Laden keep track of Group Eight summit meetings.
Japan also realizes this and if they are hit by a massive attack Tokyo would declare war on Iran. Since Tokyo wisely has played no part in Iran-Saudi Arabia’s preparation for all out war that makes Tokyo more independent in its decision making, unlike London-Washington who were massively involved in preparing the enemy’s war effort. Japan’s government has stated they have increased security.
Other than Singapore being, what I would guess would be Iran’s first choice, because of the island nation’s location along the Strait of Malacca, I would also suspect that Iran-Riyadh would love to hit Bangkok.
Thailand became one of the Jihad’s newer targets ever since they have come under attack, in their south along Malaysia’s border, since January 2004. Bangkok may be the least prepared to detect an impending attack. If the attack does happen it could send economic shock waves among the world investment community.
I don’t see Iran targeting Hong Kong because that would anger China, who has been of crucial assistance to the Jihad’s military preparation and I assume Manila may not be important enough economically. Sydney, Australia may be a favorite choice for Iran to hit, not only because of its economic significance but also because it is a major ally of those fighting against the Jihad.
One other feature could happen no matter who is hit. Virtually every Asian government, with the exception of Beijing, Jakarta, Kula Lumpur and Pyongyang, would make more of a united effort in the war. They would form a formidable Asian bloc that would play a major role in keeping tarde routes open between the East China Sea and Persian Gulf. If need be they could also be active in Red Sea operations.
In other words an attack against a major Asian financial center would greatly enlarge the list of Iran’s enemies.
Night Watch Information Service
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