by Frank James
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The discovery of the London car bomb has jangled nerves on this side of the Atlantic and is drawing responses from Washington officials and terrorism experts.
Secretary Michael Chertoff of the Homeland Security Department issued the following statement:
We have been in close contact with our counterparts in the U.K. regarding the suspected explosive device discovered in a vehicle in the London Haymarket area. Our law enforcement and intelligence officials are closely monitoring the ongoing investigation.
At this point, I have seen no specific, credible information suggesting that this incident is connected to a threat to the homeland. We have no plans at this time to change the U.S. threat level. DHS and the FBI have been in touch with our state and local homeland security and law enforcement partners to convey available information.
We encourage the public to enjoy the upcoming holiday but ask, as always, that they be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, issued a statement as well.
“Fortunately, the explosive device discovered in central London near a very usy location was discovered before it could be detonated. While we do not yet have a lot of details, this incident is a reminder of the very real threat of terrorist attacks. Just this past week, the Senate Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on the threat of Islamic radicalization in Europe, and lessons that can be learned in the U.S.
“I will be briefed by the Department of Homeland Security’s chief intelligence official this afternoon.”
Even though the intelligence experts haven’t announced the source of the car bomb, as in whether it was al Qaeda, some other terrorist group, or a completely different source, there was some inevitable jumping to conclusions.
For instance, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) had already concluded that it was “global terrorism.” Here’s his statement:
“This morning’s incident in London reminds us that global terrorism is a real threat. Thankfully, that reminder was not as painful as it could have been because of the heroic team who found and controlled the explosive before it detonated.
“Today provided a stark reminder that we cannot fight global terrorism alone. Terrorism can only be combated if the United States works together with our friends and allies. We must lead the world, instead of continuing to be isolated from the world.
“We have to do all we can at home, from protecting our ports and borders to making sure our first responders have the tools they need. But we also have to prevent terror before it reaches our shores or those of our friends and allies. It becomes clearer by the day that the Bush Administration’s failed policy in Iraq is making us less secure, not more; creating more enemies, not fewer; more violence, not less. We need to end our involvement in Iraq’s civil war and restore our standing in the world so that we can rebuild the alliances and good will we need to fight terrorism where it lives.”
Nile Gardner, director if the Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, had no doubts about who was behind the averted bombing. He wrote:
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The foiled London car bomb attack is almost certainly an Al Qaeda operation, aimed at testing the resolve of new Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
With Blair’s departure, Al Qaeda is attempting to influence British foreign policy by raising the cost of British support for the U.S.-led war on terror.
Al Qaeda hopes to reproduce the ‘Madrid effect’ in Britain, trying to force Britain out of Iraq through killing large numbers of British civilians.
This latest bombing attempt is not only an assault on the heart of London, it is also an attack on the Anglo-American alliance. The decision also reflects the rising power of Blair’s heir apparent, Gordon Brown, who is strongly in favor of withdrawing British troops.
One of Al Qaeda’s chief goals is to split the United States from Britain, and they see Gordon Brown as potentially a weak link
The attempted bombing underscores that Britain is at war and is a central front in the global war against Islamic terrorism.