World Tribune.com

Australia foils Bin Laden plot to disrupt Olympics

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, August 28, 2000

SYDNEY -- New Zealand authorities have foiled a terrorist plot to blow up a nearby nuclear reactor during the upcoming Olympic games in Sydney, Australia.

Authorities annnounced on Saturday that in March they discovered a terror cell center during a raid in the Auckland suburb of Mount Albert. Maps pinpointing routes to and from the nuclear reactor located 25 kilometers from the Olympic stadium in Sydney and street maps of Sydney as well as information on police security methods were found.

The small Lucas Heights reactor is used for nuclear medical applications and scientific research but it produces substantial amounts of plutonium.

New Zealand, Austalian authorities, British and United States authorities conducted a joint investigation and have attributed the suspected terrorist plot to Osama Bin Laden, the fugitive billionaire Saudi bomber sought by the United States for the bombing of two embassies in east Africa. Bin Laden is currently hiding out in Afghanistan.

New Zealand authorities have arrested three Auckland suspects with ties to Afghanistan on false passport and documentation charges. Earlier, a fourth suspect was arrested. The suspects will be arraigned in court later this week but so far no terrorist charges have been brought against them.

Australian authorities have stepped up security for the Olympic Games.

Monday, August 28, 2000


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