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To: average joe who wrote (20446)	10/26/2003 6:28:02 AM
From: lorne	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 23908

Iranian spies roam Britain 'to locate synagogues for attack by al-Qa'eda' By David Bamber, Home Affairs Editor (Filed: 26/10/2003) news.telegraph.co.uk Iranian spies have been photographing synagogues and other Jewish buildings in Britain, seemingly in preparation for terrorist attacks. MI5, the security service, and Special Branch officers have discovered Iranians photographing such buildings in London and the Home Counties for some time, with an upsurge of activity over the past two months. Up to 20 Iranians, most studying here legally as students at universities, are involved in the surveillance and two men have been asked to leave the country as a result. Mike Whine, the security spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said that the authorities were taking the threat seriously. "We have been aware for some time that Iranians are monitoring synagogues and Jewish community buildings," he said. "They have been seen taking photographs and most synagogues are now aware of the threat and keep a look-out. "We understand from intelligence received that they are photographing them as possible terrorist targets. We don't know for definite but there could be a link with al-Qa'eda." He said the activities of the Iranians had caused considerable worry to the Jewish community. Among the buildings photographed were synagogues in Finchley, north London, an area that is home to one of Britain's largest Jewish communities. British security officials are convinced that Iran is sheltering members of al-Qa'eda, including one of Osama bin Laden's sons. Since May 2002, communication interceptions have suggested that al-Qa'eda is using Iranians in Europe to target Jews. Al-Qa'eda leaders have urged followers repeatedly to seek out synagogues and Jewish institutions for attack. One intercepted message, heard time and time again, informs members: "You must have faith, do not worry, there will be a major strike." It is believed to have originated from a new base for the terror group in Iran, close to the Afghan border. Abu Qatada, the north London Islamic cleric being held under the Terrorism Act who has been described as bin Laden's "ambassador" in Europe, also has links to Iran. In August, it was revealed that Hadi Soleimanpour, the former Iranian ambassador to Argentina, had been arrested in Britain on an extradition warrant from Buenos Aires. He is wanted in connection with the bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in 1994 which killed 85 people. The Metropolitan Police do not think, however, that the Iranians in Britain are planning an imminent terrorist attack, but they remain concerned that some outrage is being planned within the next few months. Their intelligence has been shared with the US State Department and the CIA. Diplomatic relations between Britain and Iran were restored in 1988, eight years after the infamous six-day siege of its London embassy at Prince's Gate, south Kensington, was ended in dramatic fashion by the SAS. The Iranian embassy last week refused to comment on the activities of its citizens.