Wayne Allard: “I rise to discuss recent events that are positive steps in the war on terror for the United States and our allies…”

“I rise to discuss recent events that are positive steps in the war on terror for the United States and our allies abroad. The first is the announcement that the United States and foreign counterterrorism officials have worked together to make a series of arrests that appear to be linked to a web of Islamic extremists in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The recent death of Iraqi insurgent leader and al-Qaida member Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi is another. These are significant victories against those who wish our country harm. Last week, Canadian officials arrested 17 people for allegedly plotting to carry out a campaign of bombings, kidnappings and other terrorist acts in Ottawa and Toronto. The arrests were made possible by the monitoring of Internet chat rooms and e-mail accounts tied to suspected Islamic extremists. The arrests came after three tons of ammonium nitrate--common garden fertilizer that is easily transformed into an explosive--was allegedly purchased from undercover officers. Two of 17 suspected terrorists were caught trying to smuggle guns and ammunition from the United States into Canada via the Peace Bridge last summer. These individuals were allegedly using the Internet to communicate with terrorist facilitators abroad, such as a 22-year-old Web site operator with direct links to al-Qaida who was arrested by British police last October on charges of financing and supporting terrorist activities.…”