Author:
Publication: www.jihadwatch.org
Date: October 21, 2004
URL: http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2004/10/003631print.html
The Territorial Army has been infiltrated
by Al-Qaeda suspects, giving the Islamic terrorist group potential access
to military bases, explosives and fuel dumps.
Five Al-Qaeda suspects are believed
to have trained as part-time soldiers with the TA. At least one is now
in custody.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has
confirmed that other terror suspects have attempted to join the TA, but
says they were rejected after undergoing security checks.
The connection with Britain's Al-Qaeda
network was uncovered in a series of wide-ranging investigations by MI5
and Scotland Yard's Special Branch.
It is believed the terrorist suspects
may have been taking advantage of military training as well as gaining
access to bases and weapons.
Patrick Mercer, the Tory homeland
security spokesman and a former army officer, said Al-Qaeda terrorists
could use TA passes to penetrate security at key MoD establishments such
as the permanent joint headquarters at Northwood in Greater London.
"This could have very serious security
implications. Clearly in the war against terror you need to know who your
friends are. The last thing we want is the enemy masquerading as our own
people," Mercer said.
The TA has about 41,000 members
and comprises a substantial portion of the 102,000-strong British Army
and has 329 centres throughout the country.
