UN: Big terror attack possible

2005-02-16 10:47

United Nations - Al-Qaeda remains capable of mounting "devastating attacks" and sanctions are only having a limited effect on the group, a United Nations report said.

Al-Qaeda is still trying to acquire chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons and it is only "a matter of time" before a successful attack occurs, a report by a team of investigators said on Tuesday.

Terror attacks sponsored by al-Qaeda, as well as weapons of mass destruction, are among the chief threats confronting the world, according to the team's report to the UN Security Council Committee monitoring sanctions against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

The Taliban, which sheltered al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan before being toppled by an American-led coalition three years ago, also continues to "threaten the stability and reconstruction of the country," the report said, adding that "there is no doubt that al-Qaeda leaders still see Afghanistan as an important front."

Getting hold of weapons

Despite steps taken by UN member states to impose military-style weapon embargoes, attacks with small arms and explosives have continued, the team said.

It said measures should be taken to counter the threat of portable anti-aircraft missile systems and materials that can be turned into explosives.

"The biggest fear we all have is terrorists getting hold of the means to cause a mass attack," said Richard Barrett, the team's coordinator.

Barrett added that he did not think al-Qaeda was likely to obtain an entire bomb, but rather components of weapons of mass destruction, for example, toxic or radioactive materials.

Financial sanctions, such as an assets freeze, may be the most effective way to stop large-scale terrorist operations, and many countries had implemented banking reforms to stop terror groups from moving money around, the report said.

The team said a travel ban imposed on people listed as being members of the Taliban and al-Qaeda or their associates should be tightened up.

No member state reported a violation of the ban for the three years the sanctions have been in force, but it was "difficult to believe" no al-Qaeda or Taliban member had crossed a national border, the report said.

It called on the United Nations to work with Interpol on problem areas, such as fake travel documents.

The report paints a grim picture of a terror group determined to spread its influence, constantly evolving to evade detection.

"Al-Qaeda is a phenomenon that observes no borders. It is even harder to track now than it was a year or two ago when it had a more coherent structure and leadership," Barrett said.

He likened the group to a virus. "Once you achieve a form of treatment, it mutates," he said.

He said he did not know where Osama bin Laden was.

Barrett said the group continues to thrive, despite the hunt for bin Laden.

Barrett said al-Qaeda was using the conflict in Iraq to boost its standing and to recruit new followers.

- AP