THE BIGGER THE BETTER:

Warning of massive Saudi attack (Michael Theodoulou and Daniel McGrory, June 1, 2004. news.com.au)

INTELLIGENCE agencies believe the Islamic terrorists behind the weekend kidnapping and murder of foreigners in Saudi Arabia are close to staging "a spectacular attack" that will cause devastating loss of life.

The British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sherard Cowper-Coles, confirmed yesterday that "further attacks may be in the final stages of preparation".

It is feared the attack could be on a key oil installation or the causeway linking Saudi Arabia to Bahrain.

Three suspected al-Qaeda militants escaped after slitting the throats of up to nine foreigners among at least 22 killed in a 24-hour rampage in a housing compound in the eastern oil city of Khobar.

The trio seized one car then another in their flight, and appeared yesterday to have escaped.

Going by the timing offered by the owner of the second hijacked car, they may even have slipped away from the Oasis housing compound before Saudi commandos descended in a helicopter to rescue what hostages they could.

A fourth militant, the alleged leader, was wounded and captured. He was identified only as one of the kingdom's "most wanted".

Took 9-11 for us to get serious.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 31, 2004 7:29 PM