For several years now, senior officials of the Bush administration including
the President and the Vice President have intimated, in no certain terms,
that there will be "a Second 9/11".

Quotations from presidential speeches and official documents abound. America
is threatened:

"The near-term attacks ... will either rival or exceed the 9/11 attacks...
And it's pretty clear that the nation's capital and New York city would be
on any list..." (Former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, December 2003)

"You ask, 'Is it serious?' Yes, you bet your life. People don't do that
unless it's a serious situation." (Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld,
December 2003)

"... Credible reporting indicates that Al Qaeda is moving forward with its
plans to carry out a large-scale attack in the United States in an effort to
disrupt our democratic process... (Former DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, 8 July
2004)

"The enemy that struck on 9/11 is weakened and fractured yet it is still
lethal and planning to hit us again." (Vice President Dick Cheney, 7 January
2006)

"We are still a nation at risk. Part of our strategy, of course, is to stay
on the offense against terrorists who would do us harm. In other words, it
is important to defeat them overseas so we never have to face them here.
Nevertheless, we recognize that we've got to be fully prepared here at the
homeland." (President George W. Bush February 8, 2006)

"Our main enemy is Al Qaeda and its affiliates. Their allies choose their
victims indiscriminately. They murder the innocent to advance a focused and
clear ideology. They seek to establish a radical Islamic caliphate, so they
can impose a brutal new order on unwilling people, much as Nazis and
communists sought to do in the last century. This enemy will accept no
compromise with the civilized world.... (President George W. Bush, CENTCOM
Coalition Conference, May 1, 2007)

"[W]e now have capabilities in science and technology that raise the very
realistic possibility that a small group of terrorists could kill not only
thousands of people, as they did on September 11th, but hundreds of
thousands of people. And that has changed the dimension of the threat we
face." (Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Secretary, Yale University,
April 7, 2008.

We're fighting a war on terror because the enemy attacked us first, and hit
us hard. ... Al Qaeda's leadership has said they have the right to "kill
four million Americans,... For nearly six years now, the United States has
been able to defeat their attempts to attack us here at home. Nobody can
guarantee that we won't be hit again. ... (Vice President Dick Cheney,
United States Military Academy Commencement, West Point, New York [1] , May
26, 2008)

[emphasis added]

All these authoritative statements point in chorus in the same direction: The
enemy will strike again!

"Second 9/11": Historical Background

The presumption of a Second 9/11 has become an integral part of US military
doctrine. America is under attack. The US military must respond
preemptively.

In the immediate wake of the invasion of Iraq (April 2003), various national
security measures were put in place focusing explicitly on the eventuality
of a second attack on America. In fact these procedures were launched
simultaneously with the first stage of war plans directed against Iran in
May 2003 under Operation Theater Iran Near Term (TIRANNT). (See Michel
Chossudovsky, "Theater Iran Near Term" (TIRANNT) [2] , Global Research,
February 21, 2007).


The Role of a "Massive Casualty Producing Event"

Former CENTCOM Commander, General Tommy Franks, in an magazine interview in
December 2003, had outlined a scenario of what he described as "a massive
casualty producing event" on American soil [a Second 9/11. Implied in
General Franks statement was the notion and belief that civilian deaths were
necessary to raise awareness and muster public support for the "global war
on terrorism":

"[A] terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event [will occur] somewhere in
the Western world - it may be in the United States of America - that causes
our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize
our country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing
event." (General Tommy Franks Interview, Cigar Aficionado, December 2003)

Franks was obliquely alluding to a "Second 9/11" terrorist attack, which
could be used to galvanize US public opinion in support of martial law.

The "terrorist massive casualty-producing event" was presented by General
Franks as a crucial political turning point. The resulting crisis and social
turmoil resulting from the civilian casualties would facilitate a major
shift in US political, social and institutional structures, leading to the
suspension of constitutional government. (See Michel Chossudovsky, Bush
Directive for a "Catastrophic Emergency" in America: Building a
Justification for Waging War on Iran? [3] Global Research, June 24, 2007)


Operation Northwoods

The concept of "massive casualty producing event" is part of military
planning. In 1962, the Joint Chiefs of Staff had envisaged a secret plan
entitled "Operation Northwoods", to deliberately trigger civilian casualties
among the Cuban community in Miami (i.e. "staging the assassination of Cuban
living in the US") to justify an invasion of Cuba:

"We could blow up a U.S. ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba," "We could
develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other
Florida cities and even in Washington" "casualty lists in U.S. newspapers
would cause a helpful wave of national indignation." (See the declassified
Top Secret 1962 document titled "Justification for U.S. Military
Intervention in Cuba" (See Operation Northwoods at
 http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/NOR111A.html).

Operation Northwoods was submitted to President Kennedy. The project was not
carried out.


[northwoodsP1.jpg]


To consult the Northwoods Archive click here [4]


Military Doctrine

General Franks was not giving a personal opinion regarding the role of
civilian deaths. He was describing a central feature of a covert
military-intelligence operation going back to Operation Northwoods.

The triggering of civilian deaths in the Homeland is used as an instrument
of war propaganda. The objective is to turn realities upside down. The
aggressor nation is being attacked. the USA is a victim of war by the State
sponsors of Islamic terrorism, when in reality it is the perpetrator of a
large scale theater war in the Middle East.

The entire "Global War on Terrorism" construct is consistent with the logic
of Operation Northwoods: Civilian casualties in America resulting from the
September 11 attacks are used as "a war pretext incident" to galvanize
public support for a military intervention in Afghanstan and Iraq.

As of 2005, the presumption of a Second 9/11 had become an integral part of
military planning.

Statements emanating from the White House, the Pentagon and the Department
of Homeland Security point to a growing consensus on the necessity and
inevitability of a second terrorist attack on a major urban area in the US.

In the month following the July 2005 London bombings, Vice President Cheney
is reported to have instructed US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) to draw up
a contingency plan "to be employed in response to another 9/11-type
terrorist attack on the United States". The "contingency plan" uses the
pretext of a "Second 9/11" to prepare for a major military operation against
Iran. (Philip Giraldi, Attack on Iran: Pre-emptive Nuclear War [5] , The
American Conservative, 2 August 2005)

In April 2006, the Pentagon, under the helm of Donald Rumsfeld, launched a
far-reaching military plan to "fight terrorism" around the World, with a
view to retaliating in the case of a second major terrorist attack on
America.

The presumption of the Pentagon project was that this presumed attack on
America by an outside enemy would result in the loss of American lives,
which in turn would be used to justify US military actions in the Middle
East war theater. The covert support of US intelligence to Islamic terrorist
organizations (the outside enemy) slated to carry out the attacks, was of
course not mentioned.

Various "scenarios" of a second 9/11 attack on the Homeland were envisaged.
According to the Pentagon a Second attack on America, would serve an
important policy objective.

The three Pentagon documents consisted of an overall "campaign plan" plus
two "subordinate plans". The second "subordinate plan" explicitly focused on
the possibility of a "Second 9/11" and how a second major attack on American
soil might provide "an opportunity" to extend the US led war in the Middle
East into new frontiers:

"[It] sets out how the military can both disrupt and respond to another
major terrorist strike on the United States. It includes lengthy annexes
that offer a menu of options for the military to retaliate quickly against
specific terrorist groups, individuals or state sponsors depending on who is
believed to be behind an attack. Another attack could create both a
justification and an opportunity that is lacking today to retaliate against
some known targets, according to current and former defense officials
familiar with the plan. (Washington Post, 23 April 2006, emphasis added)


Martial Law

Since 2003, various procedures have been adopted regarding the enactment of
Martial Law in the case of a so-called "National Catastrophic Emergency".

Under martial law, the military would take over several functions of
civilian government including justice and law enforcement.

Initiatives in the area of Homeland Security outlined the precise
circumstances under which martial law could be declared in the case of a
second 9/11.

In May 2007, a major presidential National Security Directive was issued
(National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive [6] NSPD 51
[6] /HSPD 20) which explicitly envisaged the possibility of a Second 9/11:

NSPD 51 is tailor-made to fit the premises of both the Pentagon's 2006
"Anti-terrorist Plan" as well Vice President Cheney's 2005 "Contingency
Plan". (See Michel Chossudovsky, Bush Directive for a "Catastrophic
Emergency" in America: Building a Justification for Waging War on Iran?, [3]
Global Research, June 24, 2007). The directive establishes procedures for
"Continuity of Government" (COG) in the case of a "Catastrophic Emergency".
The latter is defined in NSPD 51/HSPD 20, as

"any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels
of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S.
population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions."

NSPD 51 is predicated on the notion that America is under attack and that
the "Catastrophic Emergency" would take the form of a terror attack on a
major urban area.

"Continuity of Government," or "COG," is defined in NSPD 51 as "a
coordinated effort within the Federal Government's executive branch to
ensure that National Essential Functions continue to be performed during a
Catastrophic Emergency."

More recently, in May 2008, another National Security Presidential Directive
was put forth by the White House entitled Biometrics for Identification and
Screening to Enhance National Security [7] (NSPD 59, HSPD 24).

NSPD59 complements NSPD 51. The new directive is not limited to KSTs, which
in Homeland Security jargon stands for "Known and Suspected Terrorists", it
includes various categories of domestic terrorists, the presumption being
that these domestic groups are working hand in glove with the Islamists.

"The ability to positively identify those individuals who may do harm to
Americans and the Nation is crucial to protecting the Nation. Since
September 11, 2001, agencies have made considerable progress in securing the
Nation through the integration, maintenance, and sharing of information used
to identify persons who may pose a threat to national security." (NSPD 59)

NSPD 59 goes far beyond the issue of biometric identification, it recommends
the collection and storage of "associated biographic" information, meaning
information on the private lives of US citizens, in minute detail, all of
which will be "accomplished within the law" (For further details see Michel
Chossudovsky, "Big Brother" Presidential Directive: "Biometrics for
Identification and Screening to Enhance National Security", [8] Global
Research, June 2008).

NSPD is explicitly directed against American citizens, who are now
categorized as potential terrorists.

While "conspiracy theorists" have been accused of cogitating regarding the
possibility of a Second 9/11, most of the insinuations emanate from official
US sources including the White House, the Pentagon and Homeland Security.

The fact that a "massive casualty producing events" could be used as part of
a US foreign policy agenda is diabolical. The official statements are
grotesque.


Bipartisan Consensus in the Presidential Election Campaign: "Al Qaeda will
Strike Again"

While the presidential election campaign has avoided the issue of a Second
9/11, both candidates have acknowledged the dangers of a second attack. Both
Barack Obama and John McCain have underscored their resolve to protect
America against Al Qaeda:

[Question: Who's the enemy?] "Al Qaeda, the Taliban, a whole host of
networks that are bent on attacking America, who have a distorted ideology,
who have perverted the faith of Islam, and so we have to go after them."
(Barack Obama in response to Bill O'Reilly, Fox News, September 5, 2008

"We have dealt a serious blow to Al Qaeda in recent years. But they are not
defeated, and they'll strike us again if they can." (John McCain, Acceptance
Speech, September 5, 2008)


Mainstream Media Report: "The Need" for a Second 9/11

While the Washington Post leaked the substance of the Pentagon's classified
documents pertaining to the "opportunity" of a Second 9/11, the issue has
not been the object of mainstream commentary or analysis.

It is worth noting, however, that in an August 2007 Fox News interview, "A
Second 9/11" was heralded as a means to create awareness and unite Americans
against the enemy.

Broadcast on Fox News, Columnist Stu Bykofsky claimed that America "needs" a
new 9/11 to unite the American people, because they have "forgotten" who the
enemy is. He also claimed that "there will be another 9/11", and Fox New
Anchorman John Gibson concurred. Civilian casualties would contribute to
uniting the country and creating awareness:

"it's going to take a lot of dead people to wake America up" said John
Gibson. [emphasis added]

While Stu Bykofsky's controversial article in the Philadelphia Daily News
(August 9, 2007) was, at the time, considered as outlandish, what Bykovsky
was actually saying was not very different from The Pentagon's ploy (modeled
on Operation Northwoods) concerning the role of massive casualty producing
events in triggering "a useful wave of indignation".

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transcript Fox News Network

THE BIG STORY WITH JOHN GIBSON

August 7, 2007, 5PM, EST

Columnist Comes Under Fire for Saying "We Need Another 9/11 Attack"

Anchorman: John Gibson

Interview with Columnist Stu Bykofsky

John Gibson: In big security, to save America we need another 9/11. That's
what one columnist is advocating as a way to unite America. Nearly 6 years
after the heinous terror attacks he says we have forgotten our enemy. He
says the Iraq war has divided the US, the Republicans and Democrats are on
the attack over the war, we pulled together after 9/11 but he justifies his
controversial statement by saying the united front just didn't last. And
now, bloggers are outraged. Some say the journalist should be fired from his
job for suggesting we, quote, 'need'' another attack. So is this just a
means to shock or offend or does this columnist actually have a valid point?
Well, he's here now live to explain: Philadelphia Daily news columnist Stu
Bykofsky. So Stu, let me... let's just say it again. What do you say America
needs at this point?

Stu Bykofsky: Well, my thesis here is that we're terribly divided, there's
disunity in this country, and as a divided country we're weak. When I look
back over what has pulled the country together over the past few years, 9/11
united the country and it remained united and we were all on the same team
for at least a year or two.

John Gibson: Stu, but do you mean to say that we are going to be attacked
again, we will be united again, there's a sort of inevitability to that or
that in order to achieve this unity we actually need to suffer?

Stu Bykofsky: Uh, John, I didn't actually call for an attack on the United
States. Uh, I can see where people read it that way but I didn't actually
say it. However, another attack on the United States is inevitable. I
believe that, don't you?

John Gibson: Yes, I do, actually, and I think that it's going to take a lot
of dead people to wake America up. I think the deal, Steve, Stu, I'm
sorry...

Stu Bykofsky: It's okay.

John Gibson: ...is the word 'need''. If you say, well, it's gonna happen and
it, you know, Americans are gonna die because we've let down our guard - one
thing - but when you say we 'need'' an attack it... especially has riled
relatives of the dead.

Stu Bykofsky: John, uh, I can understand them being upset. Are you reading
from the headline or from the text of my column which I don't have in front
of me?

John Gibson: Well, that's a good point. Did you use the word 'need'' in the
text or was it only the headline?

Stu Bykofsky: It's the headline.

John Gibson: So you don't actually, you don't endorse the word 'need''?

Stu Bykofsky: Uh, no, I don't. There was a slight difference. Other people
write headlines and it's not exactly what I was trying to say.

John Gibson: Alright, so...

Stu Bykofsky: But, but if you look at the context...

John Gibson: But, but what you are trying to say is, is that, that somehow
we have been, we've let down our guard, we're fighting each other instead of
the terrorists and that if we don't get it together people are going to die.

Stu Bykofsky: That's absolutely correct. We're fighting like a group of
rabid dogs and our attention should be turned elsewhere. And I also say that
the primary reason for that in my opinion is the, uh, the war in Iraq which
has been conducted so horribly by the administration.

John Gibson: Stu...

Stu Bykofsky: Not by our troops.

John Gibson: Yeah, okay, I don't want to get you in further trouble. Stu,
uh, what has been the reaction? Did the newspaper switchboard light up?

Stu Bykofsky: Uh, no, we don't have a switchboard, John. Uh, yesterday when
it appeared, the reaction was moderate because I think people in
Philadelphia who have been reading me for a long time maybe know what to
expect. Then it got posted somewhere outside of Philadelphia and this
morning when I came in uh, there were well over a thousand e-mails and more
kept coming in during the day. And a lot of calls...

John Gibson: A bunch want you fired, right?

Stu Bykofsky: Pardon?

John Gibson: A bunch of those e-mails want you fired, right?

Stu Bykofsky: Uh, a number of people told me that they were calling my
editor and they were going to suggest that he fire me, yes. I don't think
that's going to happen.

John Gibson: You standing by the column?

Stu Bykofsky: Oh, absolutely.

John Gibson: Stu Bykofsky, down in Philadelphia. Stu, thanks a lot.

(transcribed from original Video)

To view the TV interview click here [9]



Global Research Articles by Michel Chossudovsky [10]




----
End notes:
[1]  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070526-1.html
[2]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHO20070221&articleId=4888
[3]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6134
[4]  http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20010430/
[5]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20050802&articleId=791
[6]  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html
[7]  http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080605-8.html
[8]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9296
[9]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10758
[10]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=listByAuthor&authorFirst=Michel&authorName=Chossudovsky