Osama associates acquiring nuclear weapons: report

WASHINGTON, SEPT. 15. Islamic extremists linked to fugitive Saudi millionaire, Osama bin Laden, have been acquiring chemical or biological weapons and even nuclear arms that could be used for future aggression, according to intelligence reports.

There were reports that Osama's group had acquired some type of nuclear device, the Washington Times quoted a U.S. Intelligence official as saying. Also, reports indicated that associates of Osama, training in Afghanistan, have been trying to develop chemical weapons.

The newspaper quoted the intelligence officials as saying that other attacks may be possible and the extremists could resort to methods and targets dissimilar to the attack in New York and Washington.

According to Mr. Vince Cannistraro, a former Central Intelligence Agency counter-terrorism official, there were indications that an Islamic front group in Chicago, having ties with Osama, had invested money in a company that produced chlorine for swimming pools. There were concerns that the plant could be used to produce chemical weapons.

- UNI

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