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Intelligence archive February 2003 to 30 April 2003

30 APRIL: MI5 Bugged Downing Street’s Talk with Sinn Fein

Transcripts of conversations leaked to journalists between Prime Minister Blair and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, (former IRA Chief of Staff), show that was much intimacy between London and Sinn Fein. The conversations were recorded covertly by MI5, Britain’s Secret Security Service. MI5 used thecodeword ‘NARCOTIC’ when referring to Mr McGuinness.
• More Eye Spy 17

30 APRIL: Gerry Adams - “IRA Will Not Undermine Peace”

The IRA will not in any way undermine the peace process or the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams insists. In a statement which was being billed as the definitive position from republicans on the IRA’s future, Mr Adams said: “The IRA leadership makes it clear in its statement that it is determined that its activities will be consistent with its resolve to see the complete and final closure of the conflict.”

Mr Adams said there was now a need for the British and Irish governments to publish their joint declaration on the future implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It was his belief that all three questions posed to republicans last week by Prime Minister Tony Blair had been answered fully in his speech last weekend. “However, the Taoiseach (Bertie Ahern), the British Prime Minister and others have queried my answer about alleged IRA activities,” he said. “The IRA leadership is determined that there will be no activities which will undermine in any way the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. The IRA’s statement is a statement of completely peaceful intent. Both governments have already acknowledged this. The joint declaration and all other statements should now be published. The commitment contained in all statements should be implemented.”

Mr Adam’s statement was made as Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble travelled to Downing Street for a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Republicans hoped it would persuade London and Dublin to release their joint declaration covering issues such as policing, justice and the scaling down of army installations. They also hoped it would guarantee that the Assembly elections would take place as planned on May 29.

25 APRIL 2003: TARIQ AZIZ ARRESTED

Iraq deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz has been arrested by US forces. It is not clear whether he gave himself up.

Tariq Aziz and Kofi Annan

16 APRIL 2003: TERROR SUSPECT ARRESTE

US soldiers in Baghdad have arrested one of the most wanted terrorists in the world. Palestinian Abu Abbas has been on the run for 17 years for his ordering of the murder of a US citizen, on board the cruise ship, Achille Lauro. More Eye Spy 17.

5-16 APRIL 2003:

SEE IRAQI FREEDOM SECTION

5 APRIL 2003: BUSH AND BLAIR TO MEET IN N. IRELAND

George W Bush is to visit Northern Ireland on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the situation in Iraq with Tony Blair. Mr Bush will meet the Prime Minister at an undisclosed location to assess the progress of the military campaign, plans for the future of a post-Saddam Iraq and the Middle East peace process.

He will also hold talks with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the leaders of the three main pro-Good Friday Agreement parties in a bid to move forward the Northern Ireland peace process. The meeting is the third summit between Mr Bush and Mr Blair in recent weeks, following an eve-of-war gathering in the Azores and last week's talks at Camp David.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "They found the meetings in the Azores and Camp David very helpful in the development of our strategy on the military, diplomatic and humanitarian fronts."
The President, Mr Blair and Mr Ahern will talk to leaders of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sinn Fein and the SDLP.

It's hoped the meeting will give added impetus to efforts to get the Northern Ireland peace process back on track.

Mr Blair and Mr Ahern are due to launch make-or-break proposals for the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement within the next few days, and it is widely expected that they will hinge on an IRA announcement next week of an end to all paramilitary activity.

The Downing Street spokesman said: "It is an important week in the Northern Ireland peace process.

"It will be useful to get the US President's support for our efforts to encourage the leaders to the acts of completion the Prime Minister has outlined."

1 APRIL 2003: PAKISTAN THROWS OUT FBI

In a move seen as diplomatic - Pakistan has asked a team of FBI officers to leave the country as anti US and UK feeling grows because of the Iraqi conflict.

29 MARCH 2003: ITALY ON HIGH AL-QAIDA TERROR ALERT

Italian Government officials have warned of a possible biological or chemical attack after intelligence sources said members of the an Ansaasar al-Islam terror group based in Northern Iraq and loyal to Osama bin-Laden, are in Italy. The group’s headquarters was recently destroyed by Kurds fighting with US forces in Northern Iraq.

29 MARCH 2003: THREE IRAQIS ARRESTED FOR SPYING FOR USA

Baghdad says three Iraqi nationals have been arrested for spying for USA and UK. All face almost certain death.

27 MARCH 2003: UN FUTURE IN DOUBT

Eye Spy has learned that secret discussions have already taken place about the status and future of the United Nations - full story Eye Spy. USA, UK and other nations question viability of UN.

21 MARCH 2003: US AND MEXICAN SECURITY SEARCH FOR “IRAQI TERROR CELL”

Intelligence officials in the United States have acknowledged they are searching for six Iraqis who could be in possession of biological weapons in preparation for a terrorist attack in the USA. The gang are thought to be in Southern states or Mexico.

18 MARCH 2003: RICIN FOUND IN PARIS RAILWAY STATION

French officials have disclosed that a quantity of ricin has been discovered in a locker at the Paris railway station. It is understood the poison was discovered a number of days ago. Intelligence analysts believe it could be related to the recent discovery of a ricin factory in London.

18 MARCH 2003: NEW YORK ON HIGH ALERT

Mayor Bloomberg has heightened security in the city of New York as the USA and UK prepare for war with Iraq. According to Eye Spy sources, a number of terrorist suspects are “under observance” in the city. The new security operation is costing about $5m.

9 MARCH 2003: USAF B-52s “READY TO STRIKE IRAQ FROM UK BASES”

Over a dozen huge B-52 USAF bombers have landed at RAF Fairford in southern England. The warplanes will be used to attack key Iraq targets if war is declared.

9 MARCH 2003: CIA AND US SPECIAL FORCES ENCIRCLE OSAMA BIN-LADEN

Hundreds of US Special Forces troops together with Pakistan troops are searching the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan for Osama bin-Laden. It is believed vital information was gleaned from al-Qaida’s military commander, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was captured recently. The troops are being supported by officers from the CIA and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI).

• There is still no confirmation on the rumour that two of Osama bin-Ladens sons were captured in a fierce firefight.