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Well-Timed Scare Tactics?

Tezcatlipoca

16:48 / 12.02.03

I'm still not convinced by the validity ofthis, especially since it appears to have occured - coincidentally - just before the march in London. Connected with this story is Reid's comment that the terrorist threat to London is "of the nature" of the September 11 attacks on New York, and Blunkett's rather irresponsible statement that he hoped we could "get through the next few days without incident".

So, is this the work of those beloved spin-doctors or is it a response to a genuine concern?

Warewullf

18:18 / 12.02.03

I think it's a scam.

Or possibly a scamola.

It's just too...convenient.

Baz Auckland

19:12 / 12.02.03

Dr Reid reacted angrily to suggestions the deployment of troops at Heathrow may have been political spin, saying: "This is not a game."

I can't help it, but that was my first reaction. I have trouble believing there is genuine concern, but according to the government, we'll know by Friday.

Brigade du jour

20:54 / 12.02.03

Spectacularly well-timed, I agree, but unfortunately I spilt all my vitriol on another carpet, so I can't reproduce it with the same passion here.

Let's just say I reckon bin Laden is an actor who couldn't get any work in Hollywood but got spotted by some White House aide ages ago and has had no 'rest' ever since.

Fist Fun

07:09 / 13.02.03

Some opinions have been expressed in the Conversation thread. There is also a guardian article - Minister: troop deployment is no stunt.

It seems to be an entirely American British alert. It doesn't seem to have been picked up at all in the European press so logically it seems to be linked to Iraq rather than terrorism against the west.

I can't really think why they have tanks at Heathrow. Would they be useful in the case of a rocket attack?

sleazenation

09:23 / 13.02.03

Ex-SAS soldier and author Chris Ryan has stated that a tank could not stop a SAM (surface to air missile). Short of armed terrorists attempting to attack the airport from the ground its difficult to see this as anything other than a big agressive security blanket.

pear

10:04 / 13.02.03

The tanks are there to be big and highly visible. They're intended to channel anyone with a shoulder launched SAM into a smaller area which is covered by snipers.

It's a bit 'this bloke down pub said..' but it seems to make sense

Ray Von

14:36 / 13.02.03

scam or no scam, this is bound to put people off going to London on Saturday for the march, which is sad, (i've even had second thoughts but am now definitely going). We'll see what happens next week if this all blows over or escalates further. The world certainly is a crappy place at the moment. I've not been this scared since the early 80's when I was a little kid shitting myself at the prospect of a nuclear war!

Red Cross Iodized Salt

15:16 / 13.02.03

Similarly, the anti-war protest in NYC this weekend is being preceded by media reports / email rumours about potential sarin / cyanide gas attacks on the subway...

I am finding it less and less difficult to believe that the scare mongering is not just to stir up support for war...my conspiracy theory skepticism is gradually being eroded.

Red Cross Iodized Salt

15:29 / 13.02.03

Just thinking about this a little further...the Vague Warnings Of Imminent Terrorist Attacks are probably not even intended to deter too many those who are already against war from protesting. They serve their purpose by turning public opinion against the protests. A co-worker of mine who I have never previously heard espousing a political view of any kind just asked me how "anyone could even consider protesting when we might be killed by terrorists at any time."

Saveloy

15:38 / 13.02.03

The latest:

Live Grenade at Gatwick

Ethan Hawke

15:30 / 14.02.03

the kind of info torture gets you - orange alert partially based on hoax

bjacques

23:01 / 14.02.03

There haven't been any vague warnings in NL; my only worries are 1) having a place to stand and 2) people being able to see my sign. I don't think the attack warnings are going to affect the demos anywhere else either.

Anyway, if anyone wanted to maximize the financial and political yield from a mass attack, even a phony one, they'd do it on a Monday morning, in the financial district.

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