STOP the presses: Al Queda claims to have infiltrated UAE in 2002

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according to this:

http://counterterror.typepad.com/the_counterterrorism_blog/2006/02/al_qaeda_claime.html

Al Qaeda Claimed Infiltration of Key UAE Agencies in 2002
Lorenzo Vidino, on travel and unable to post, sent me one of the DOD Harmony database documents released by the West Point CTC last week (and publicized for the first time anywhere here). It's a communication in May or June of 2002 from Al Qaeda to "Officials in the United Arab Emirates and especially the two emirates of Abu-Dhabi and Dubai," warning them to cease the detainment of "Mujahideen" for handing over to "suppressive organizations in their country." Al Qaeda warns the officials, "You are well aware that we have infiltrated your security, censorship, and monetary agencies along with other agencies that should not be mentioned." Al Qaeda also pokes at the perceived weaknesses in their intelligence and security operations and at American counterterrorism programs: "Also, we are confident that you are fully aware that your agencies will not get to the same high level of your American Lords. Furthermore, your intelligence will not be cleverer than theirs, and your censorship capabilities are not worth much against what they have reached. In spite of all this Allah has granted us success to get even with them and harm them. However, you are an easier target than them; your homeland is exposed to us." The communication ends with a demand that the UAE release its detainees or face its wrath.

We don't know whether Al Qaeda actually infiltrated the agencies as claimed. I haven't found any news story indicating the release by the UAE or the emirates of any detainee or the escape of any suspected terrorist prisoner held by them at any point since the date of the communication. EDIT: Here's a good U.S. News & World Report article on Dubai as "the region's criminal crossroads, a hub for smuggling, money laundering, and underground banking." Here is an AP story on the strategic importance of the UAE to the U.S. You can download the translated Al Qaeda communication below.

Link to PDF on site.

It's also being discussed in LBN.

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1. Cough cough