ZGram - 5/14/2002

irimland@zundelsite.org irimland@zundelsite.org
Tue, 14 May 2002 15:03:24 -0700


Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 14:56:32 -0700
To: zgrams@freedomsite.org
From: Ingrid Rimland <irimland@mail.bellsouth.net>
Subject: ZGram - 5/14/2002
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ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

May 14, 2002

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

You are getting two Zgrams today in place of the one I missed 
yesterday because we had a minor problem here at the Zundel Berghof - 
nothing serious, but I could not get to my computer in time.  It 
might be just as well, for here is the follow-up to this morning's 
ZGram - and a downer it is, albeit expected.  Amazing, how these 
stories tend to fizzle out!

Ernst says there is a struggle going on for the heart and soul of 
America, and power is not going to be relinquished without a major 
struggle.  I ask you to hang on, give Fox News lots of accolades for 
trying to stay on top of the story, and send me any updates that you 
find.

Here goes:

[START]


Case of Whidbey Island 'terrorists' is a dud, FBI says

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

By MIKE BARBER
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

A national cable TV news flash yesterday about the arrest of possible 
terrorists on Whidbey Island sounded explosive:

The FBI and other federal agents were investigating two Middle 
Eastern men who were arrested in Oak Harbor last Tuesday after police 
found traces of TNT and plastic explosive in a rental truck they were 
driving, the Fox News Channel reported.

The fact that Oak Harbor is near Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, 
home of the electronic warfare Prowler jets, heightened concerns.

But the FBI said last night it had taken a pass on the case, handing 
it over to immigration officials after further tests for explosives.

"All were negative," said FBI spokeswoman Melissa Mallon.

The two men came to the attention of authorities when an Oak Harbor 
police officer stopped them shortly after midnight May 7.

"It was a minor speeding violation," said Oak Harbor police Sgt. Bill Russell.

The officer grew suspicious, however, when one of the men produced 
only an international driver's license and an expired visa and the 
other could show no ID at all, Russell said.

And while the men said they were in Oak Harbor only to deliver 
furniture and were on their way back home to Canada, the officer 
noted that it was after midnight -- an odd hour for such work.

A bomb-sniffing dog was called in.

According to some reports, the dog indicated that it smelled 
something interesting in the driver's side of the truck cab, though a 
search turned up nothing suspicious.

Fox reported that a follow-up test had revealed traces of explosives 
on the steering wheel and gearshift.

However, a law enforcement source told the Post-Intelligencer that 
the dog and the first round of tests may have picked up nothing more 
than residue left by a cigarette lighter.

Border Patrol agents took custody of the two men, who claimed to be 
Israeli citizens, for investigation of immigration violations.

Garrison Courtney, a spokesman for the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service, last night said he was uncertain about their status.

Whidbey Island residents have been vigilant about possible terrorism 
since the Sept. 11 attacks, largely because of the island's large 
military base and proximity to the border.

In the weeks after Sept. 11, Island County locals flooded emergency 
centers with reports of Canadian truckers who appeared to be of 
Middle Eastern descent, said Island County Sheriff's spokeswoman Jan 
Smith.

Smith said delivery trucks from British Columbia routinely pass 
through the island on their way to the ferry slip at Keystone, a 
short-cut to the Olympic Peninsula.

She said the trucks are inspected at the Canadian border and are presumed safe.

In October, Island County Sgt. Mike Beech said the reaction "just 
shows the effect of Sept. 11.

They may have seen that truck or trucker get off the ferry every day 
-- but now they are more aware of it."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

P-I reporter Chris McGann contributed to this report. P-I reporter 
Mike Barber can be reached at 206-448-8018 or mikebarber@seattlepi.com

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[END]

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Thought for the Day:

"Liberty is always unfinished business."

(Sent to the Zundelsite)