LCRA representative: U.S. likely to be again targeted by terrorists
By MAT TAYLOR Special Correspondent

Don Brent "I believe we will someday have to deal with some of the same issues that Israel deals with on a daily basis. " -- Don Brent LCRA chief of public safety

In an address to Lampasas County Farm Bureau members at their annual meeting, Don Brent, Lower Colorado River Authority chief of public safety, said it is important to protect critical infrastructure from terrorists.

Brent added that the world and our nation changed on Sept. 11, 2001, and it will never be the same.

"There is no doubt in my mind that America will be attacked again," he said. "I believe we will someday have to deal with some of the same issues that Israel deals with on a daily basis."

Brent defined terrorism as "any premeditated, unlawful act dangerous to human life or public welfare intended to intimidate or coerce populations or governments."

People usually think of international terrorist, he said. "But, in my opinion, domestic terrorists scare me more than anybody, as they live in the community, and they act like normal citizens.

"They may be in a nearby garage planning something because they do not like the LCRA or the Farm Bureau, and they are your neighbors. They want a new world order and to establish their own laws, and are anti-government and are upset with the federal, state and county governments."

Islamic terrorists have carried out most attacks around the world, but Brent emphasized that they make up only a very small percentage of the Muslim population. "Most Muslims in the United States are fine, upstanding people who just want to lead normal lives."

The U.S. State Department has designated 28 terrorist organizations in the Middle East and elsewhere.

In 1980, bombings occurred terrorists only in countries such as Lebanon, Kuwait and Sri Lanka. Terrorist activities, however, have spread all over the world, including our hemisphere, Brent added.

After the 9/11 events in New York, bombings have taken place in Great Britain and Spain. There remains a good possibility that terrorists could strike this country again, he said.

Groups such as Al-Queda have mimicked Palestinians by using suicide bombers. Brent said it is very easy to do, as the technology is readily available to make a bomb and, unfortunately, the tactic of using suicide bombers in the U.S. is a possibility.

On the positive side, the LCRA official said due to military actions in Iraq and other measures around the world, Al- Queda has been beaten into submission, but the terrorists still are a threat.

The safety chief noted that most suicide bombers are young, single men, but they can be any race and age. Their operational methods include vehicle bombs such as were used in attacking the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut in 1983, and boat bombing as on the USS Cole in 2000.

In Israel, the most common terrorist attacks are by individual suicide bombers.

Brent said it is important to note that terrorists are very patient; they plan their attacks in detail and conduct many practice runs. Terrorists will choose the means they think will work best on a specific target. They plan an attack for years and conduct dry runs and rehearsals. They will test to see what kind of response they get.

Islamic terrorists have no morals, he added. Osama bin Laden has said the United States is the greatest terrorist. The Al-Queda leader has stated: "There are no morals, there is no difference in the military and civilians. As far as we are concerned, they are all targets. I am carrying out a duty to keep them from harming Muslims."

Continued Brent: "Islamic extremists are a very small minority, but their tactics are very violent. When the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, this was the home run for Islamic terrorists. They were striking at the symbol of America. They planned the attack for years."

Al-Queda has been beaten down, the safety chief said, but the group remains a threat as it has individual cells all over the world that are independent and do not answer to a higher authority. They are not as well trained but are very dangerous.

Brent said the "A team" of terrorists is Hezbollah. "These guys are well trained, well organized and made up of thousands of fighters."

Hezbollah was formed in 1982 in Lebanon. Many members are trained in the military. They know how to raise money and have hundreds of members willing to be suicide bombers.

They have a presence in the United States and use illegal means to raise money to send back to the Middle East, he added.

Brent said Hezbollah has not attacked the U.S., as the group has seen what America has done to Al Queda, so they concentrate on attacking Israel. Hezbollah was responsible for the U.S. Marine barracks attack that killed more than 200 Marines. "They believe if they keep hitting us, the U.S. doesn't have the backbone or will to stay in the fight, and we will leave."

The responsibility of securing the homeland is a shared responsibility of federal, state and local governments, he said. Local organizations and citizens also have a responsibility to be vigilant. "If anything good came out of 9/11, it was that all agencies are now tending to communicate with other. In the past, information was not shared, and the agencies did not share information."

Brent said the high-risk areas for a future attack are New York, California, Washington, D.C. and Delaware, due to their concentration of financial institutions and high-tech industries. The next states at risk are Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

Likely targets are anything that would get a lot of attention and result in a high loss of life. This would include shopping malls, sporting events or anywhere large groups of people gather.

"Some critical infrastructures are potential candidates for an attack, and every city, county and state has critical infrastructure, including LCRA facilities," Brent said.

Nuclear power plants, bridges, military facilities, water treatment plants, dams and hydroelectric power plants, agribusiness and oil refineries represent other infrastructure risks.

Brent said another example is Mansfield Dam, which holds Lake Travis. "If the dam was bombed, over 1 million people would be without water or if one LCRA power plant or sub-station was destroyed, it would affect the flow of electricity for most of Central Texas for almost a year, which would affect computers, traffic lights, etc."

LCRA has taken a number of actions to protect its infrastructure. Brent said steps include the hiring of more security personnel, local agreements with police and sheriff's departments, and closure of most plants and facilities to the public.

"LCRA has spent millions of dollars making our power plants and facilities more secure."

Brent said everybody has a part in making our country more secure. "If you can remember only one thing it is to be vigilant. You know what is normal in everyday life. If something doesn't look right, out of the ordinary or doesn't fit, bring it to someone's attention."

An example could be someone photographing, sketching or videotaping some important infrastructure without an apparent purpose. He related that recently a group of men who looked to be Middle Eastern was fishing on Lake Buchanan with huge salt-water reels.

"Obviously, they did not have the right equipment, and the FBI was notified by LCRA personnel. The FBI is holding two of the group, and four were deported. They may not have been planning anything, or they were just testing."

Brent said LCRA is a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and continues to cooperate with various law enforcement agencies.

"I believe a suicide bombing attack is coming and is a matter of when and where," he said in conclusion. "We all have to remain vigilant to keep our country secure."