Prime Ministers' News Conference
Here's a followup to the timely entries from Howie and Mad Dog Vinnie. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Australian Prime Minister John Howard spoke. The following is a paraphrasing of the news conference.
(Blair) I met with the police commissioner. We just need to act calmly. We hope to get the rest of the transport system up and running as soon as possible.
(Howard) Australia sympathizes with and supports the British people. Terrorism is the enemy of all free people.
The response of emergency services in London and Great Britain have been quite remarkable.
Reporters to Blair:
Question: What would you say to those who would not want to go into London?
"It's important that we keep to our normal lives."
Question: Who is responsible?
"The police are best to let you know who is responsible. Terrorist attacks are meant to frighten people. It's important we react calmly."
Question: Do you feel your policies have put us in this position?
The people responsible for doing this are responsible for this situation.
The roots of this are deep. Terrorist attacks go back over 10 years. What they want us to do is say we're responsible. The people that carry out these attacks are the terrorists.
Update at 11:22 EDT
Investigators apparently have found that the explosive device used on the bus in today's event is similar to that which was used in the terror bombings on July 7.
From Sky News:
There has also been an incident on a bus in Hackney, East London.
Police are reportedly examining a rucksack left on the top deck.
Tube stations at Warren Street, Oval and Shepherd's Bush have been closed.
Chemical searches at all four sites have proved negative.
Armed police officers have entered University College Hospital in Bloomsbury close to Warren Street station.
An internal memo to staff at the hospital warned them to be on the lookout for a black male, possibly of Asian origin, about 6ft 2ins tall, wearing a blue top with wires protruding from the rear of the top.
Across London, a man was arrested at gunpoint by armed police at the gates of Downing Street.
In summary, the investigation continues and, from my perspective, it seems to be a botched operation on the part of the terrorists.
Companion post at Interested-Participant.
Posted by: Mike Pechar at
11:55 AM
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Their guy got arrested in Pakistan and the other in Egypt is still being held last I heard (even though Egypt says he is innocent, they still held him). Without their guidance they probably tried to make do and go ahead with their limited knowledge and botched it.
Of course, it's just a guess.
Posted by: Oyster at July 21, 2005 12:26 PM (fl6E1)
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More Explosions in London: Psy-ops in Progress
Watson and Jones| July 21 2005
"In the early confusion about what is actually happening in London, several things are already clear.
- This immediately stalls questions about the first bombing. The mainstream media were finally beginning to highlight the fact that the government's official story did not fit together. This takes those issues off the front pages.
- This further promulgates the fearmongering and creates a pliable public that is willing to accept draconian anti-terror laws. They are trying to turn us into Israel, with an alert or a bombing every fortnight.
- On the very day that the Patriot Act is due to be renewed, Bush can use the alert level to grease the skids and bully Congress into re-authorizing the bill.
Related: Bush sees London attacks as reason for Patriot Act
Some early reports from the scene of the incidents are very interesting.
BBC reported that one of the individuals' rucksacks exploded and he looked surprised and dismayed. Who is planting these devices in people's luggage? Or are these people copycats?
Sky News reported that Tony Blair was already in a crisis meeting in an underground bunker which overlapped with the alert. Another case of preparing to 'control' the chaos as it unfolded?
Sky News also reports Blair was set to meet with MI5 and MI6 as well as Secret Service later today. This suggests Blair's schedule was planned ahead of time to coincide with these incidents.
There are already 'Atta passport' type stories of Arabs planting the bombs and running away and being chased by members of the public. This immediately creates the psy-ops storyboard that this is the work of Al-Qaeda."
Posted by: greg at July 21, 2005 12:49 PM (3D/yw)
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Question: Do you feel your policies have put us in this position?
Are you sure this wasn't a NYT reporter? Sounds more like an accusation than a question.
Posted by: Oyster at July 21, 2005 03:13 PM (fl6E1)
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Uh Greg the UK doesn't have a Secret Service it has the Security Service also known as MI5, mind U I'm not saying you're fill of shit and don't know what you are talking about.
Posted by: Mike at July 21, 2005 07:43 PM (CEUV/)
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