Channel2000.com

Report: L.A. Target For Terror

Terror Training Camp Had Mockup Of LAX

Posted: 7:09 p.m. PDT October 5, 2001 Updated: 7:20 p.m. PDT October 5, 2001

LOS ANGELES -- As the United States is in the final stages of preparing to launch military operations against Afghanistan, CBS News has learned that Los Angeles could be a target of retaliation.

There is troop movement on both fronts. The United States is ready and apparently so are the Taliban rulers, CBS2 News reported Friday.

A rebel army is pushing further in to Afghanistan from the north, and the Taliban is pulling troops back from the Northern Front to defend the two strong holds of Kabul and Kandahan.

Despite the prospect of an imminent attack from both the air and ground, there still seems to be some activity in at least one of Osama bin Laden's training camps.

One camp of particular interest to U.S. intelligence appeared at one time to have a mockup of portions of Los Angeles International Airport, CBS2 reported.

The FBI and LAX officials told CBS2 Friday that they have not heard of such reports.

In the meantime, security at LAX remains tight. National guard troops are in place and passenger cars are still not allowed near the airport.

LAX was also targeted by terrorist Ahmed Ressam, who was part of an international plan to bomb the airport just before the millennium celebrations, according to authorities.

Ressam was arrested in December of 1999, when U.S. agents in Port Angeles, Wash., found bomb chemicals in the back of his rental car as the suspect tried to cross the Canadian border.

Ressam, who was convicted last year, faces 130 years in prison and is now cooperating with federal prosecutors. He has said that he is close to a London resident who has ties to Osama bin Laden.

-- Anonymous, October 06, 2001