4A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2, 2009
TERRORISM
Beauty supply bomb could have killed scores
Man accused of plot held in New York
**people drive out of the parking lot of the Beauty Supply Warehouse on Thursday in Aurora, Colo. The store is one of the beauty supply shops in which investigators say New York City terror suspect Naiqalib Baju bought large quantities of chemicals in July and August with plans to detonate homemade bombs on New York City commuter trains.**
BY ADAM GOLDMAN Associated Press
NEW YORK — The Afghan immigrant accused of buying large quantities of hair dye and nail polish remover to make explosives had the goods to kill scores of people in New York — a devastating attack on a scale with the transit bombings in London and Madrid, according to documents and interviews with former FBI experts.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Prosecutors have not said exactly what kind or number of bombs
Najibullah Zazi planned to build, but court documents hint at the possibilities. It is likely he wanted to borrow a tactic used overseas by making bombs out of flour and hydrogen peroxide and putting them
in backpacks, perhaps in the city's transit system, experts say.
"These explosives are meant to be concealed easily and deployed easily and kill and maim."
The case has been described as perhaps the most serious terrorist plot uncovered in the U.S. since 9/11. However, experts said Zazi, who is being held without bail in New York, had the means to kill scores of people — not hundreds or thousands.
"These explosives are meant to be concealed easily and deployed easily and kill and maim and cause havoc in small areas," said Denny Kline, a retired FBI explosives expert. For a really big bomb, "you're going to need a truck."
How far along Zazi managed to get is unclear. Investigators have not said whether he successfully built or tested any bombs.
DENNY KLINE Retired FBI explosives expert
Court documents indicate that the 24-year-old Zazi and others were hitting beauty supply stores, buying certain materials clearly used to make bombs. They bought
He and others also bought acetone — nail polish remover
concentrated bottles of hydrogen peroxide hair dye with names like Liquid Developer Clairxide, Ion Sensitive Scalp Developer and Ms. K Liquid 40 Volume.
and other ingredients that can be used to make a powerful and highly unstable explosive called triacetone triperoxide, or TATP. The same explosive was used by would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid in 2001 and the terrorists who carried out the London bombings in 2005 that killed 52
people.
But in each of those earlier instances, TATP was not the main charge — it was the detonator. It was supposed to help detonate the plastic explosives in Reid's shoe aboard a jetliner, and it was used to set off a mixture of black
pepper and hydrogen peroxide in London.
Likewise, experts in the Zazi case said the TATP was most likely going to be just the detonator.
"It it is used more as a detonator because it's easy to initiate," said Leo W. West, a retired FBI explosives expert. "TATP is not the type of thing you want to bounce around with."
While experts say hydrogen peroxide-based bombs are relatively easy to make with the correct recipe, Zazi was struggling. In early September, Zazi was communicating frantically with another individual "seeking to correct mixtures of ingredients to make explosives," according to court documents.
Prosecutors say he requested information about flour and ghee oil, which is strained butter typically used in Indian communities.
Notes lifted from Zazi's laptop computer discuss formulations for "mixing hydrogen peroxide with flour, and list ghee oil as a type of fuel that can be used to help initiate the explosive device," prosecutors said.
ingredients and trying to make the bombs. TAPT is sensitive to heat, friction and shock.
"TATA is not the type of thing you want to bounce around with."
anybody inside.
Dave Williams, another retired FBI explosives expert, said a half cup of TATP would blow the doors off a car and probably kill
"It's very dangerous," Williams said. In 2006, an explosion ripped through a Texas apartment where two men were making TATP. One was killed, the other injured.
LEO W. WEST
Retired FBI
explosives expert
Mixing hydrogen peroxide and
flour is less fraught with peril than the TATP, experts say.
Court documents say Zazi twice rented a hotel room near Denver with a kitchen and his "bomb-making notes contemplate heating
the components in order to make them highly concentrated."
Investigators found acetone residue in the vent above the stove. The three components of TATP are hydrogen peroxide, acetone and an acid. Acetone can be
bought in drug stores and home improvement stores alike.
"They'd have to distill it, and that's where your cooking comes in." Williams said. "They'd have to make something that almost resembles a still so they could capture the acetone."
It is probably not something Zazi would have done at home. "That would give off a lot of odor," Williams said.
Explosives experts said Zazi might also have been trying to distill the hydrogen peroxide to reach a certain concentration, hitting what explosive experts call the "sweet spot."
Muktar Said Ibrahim, one of the men convicted of conspiring to bomb London's transit system on July 21, 2005, testified how he and others bought hydrogen peroxide and reduced it in a saucepan to a
dangerously high concentration. The chemical was then mixed with flour, packed into plastic tubes and topped with detonators made with TATP.
The four bombs failed to explode. West said the bombers probably used the wrong concentration of hydrogen peroxide. However, a set of bombs detonated on July 7 in London worked, killing scores of people. The only difference in those bombs was that the terrorists used black pepper instead of flour.
The 2004 Madrid terror bombings killed 191 people and injured 2,000 others but did not involve hydrogen peroxide-based explosives. Four crowded commuter trains were ripped apart with a string of 10 backpack bombs made of plastic explosives.
KANSANCLASSIFIEDS
for sale
HAWKCHALK.COM
785-864-4358
UBSki WWW.UBSKI.COM
1-800-SKI-WILD • 1-800-754-9453
FOR SALE
Dell Dimension E510 Desktop with 19" LCD H-Di-def monitor for sale. FAST computer and in perfect condition! E-mail me at gfry05@ku.edu if you are interested at $275 OBO hawkchall.com/4017
42" Plasma Samsung flat panel TV/ $600
obo. No damages; inc. all accessories.
bwilso54@ku.edu, hawkchalw.com/3997
Spring Break 2010. Sale Trips, Earn Cash and Go Free. Call for Group Discounts. Best Prices Guaranteed! Best Parties! Jamaica, Cancun, Acapulco, Bahamas, S Padre, Florida Information/Reservations 1-800-648-4894
www.stearavel.com
or www.ststravel.com.
COLLEGE SKI & BOARD WEEK
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Are you in the market for a piano? Or you just want your piano tuned/fixed? or perhaps moved? contact: danielnzz@mail.com hawkchaira.com4005
Keys with blue KU tanyard lost on camp Monday. If found please call 816-898-
8985, $10 comp. hawkchalk.com/4014
Sustainability-focused magazine seeking versatile freelance writers to develop local national, and international stories, perform research and conduct interviews. Prior writing experience required, with editorial experience preferred. Send resume, and two relevant writing samples to editor blueskygreenearth@gmail.com.
BARTENDING  UP TO $300/DAY NO
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TRAINING
PROVIDED 800-965-6520 EXT 108
Check out job listings for KU students
@ KUCareerHawk.com
Writers Wanted
CLASSIFIEDS@KANSAN.COM
Seeking 2 part time paid interns for 7-8 weeks,10-20 hrs a week, flexible scheduling Work is in the Lawrence Regional Technology Center. We are compiling a wiki website. Learn about wikis. Must have friendly demeanor with confident phone ability. Please email your experience and availability to Tony at tschmidt@coolproducts.com Heart of America E-Commerce
Web Designer/Programmer, Flex. Schedule, SQL, C#, Java, HTML, CSS, & Photoshop, e-mail hr@microtechcomp.com
Dining Room and Banquet Servers. Lake Quira Country Club needs energetic and friendly people to fill day and evening shifts for dining and banquet servers. Good pay, flexible schedules, meal provided. Tues thru Sun. Located 1-435 and Holiday Drive 913-631-4821
JOBS
STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM
**teacher's aide** needed for varied hours M-F-starting as soon as possible Please apply at Children's Learning Center at 205 N. Michigan or email
Pad Survey Takers Neded in Lawrence
100% FREE to Join! Click on Surveys.
Cross the street from the Checkers store.
on KU bus route. The lease is till
5/31/2010. Heat, water, trash and TV cable
is paid. please contact me at 402-617-
4243. hawkchall.com/4012
MAKE A DIFFERENCE! BEcome A CAMP COUNSELOR! Friendly Pines Camp in the cool mountains of Prescott, AZ. is hiring for 10 season. May 22-Jul 29. We offer horseback riding, waterskiing, canoeing, target sports, jewelry & more. Competitive salary w/ room and board covered. Apply online @www.friendlypines.com or call 1-888-261-CAMP for info. Come be a part of something amazing and have the summer of a lifetime!
Need 1-2 F roommates to sublease spring semester GREAT LOCATION. Close to campus and Mass St. *913-481-8667* for more info hawkchalk.com/3994.
HOUSING
OUR BEST DEALS EVER!
Apartments and Townhomes
Available Now!
*"Applecroft"
1734 W. 19th
785-843-8220
*"Canyon Court"
700 Comet Lane
785-832-8905
*"Highpoint"
2001 W. 6th St
785-841-8468
*"Parkway Commons"
3601 Clinton Parkway
785-842-3280
*"Saddlebrook"
625 Folks Rd
785-832-8200
www.firstmanagementinc.com
HOUSING
Need subleaser for 2 BR/2 full BA apt at Parkway Commons! 1055 sq ft! bwilso4@ku.edu or 913-406-7826! hawkchalk.com/3991
FREE Rent until 2010! Highpoint
Apartments 2001 W. 6th St. Limited
time only! Call today 785-841-8468.
highpoint@sunflower.com
One roommate needed. $400/mo plus utilities.
Private room, shared bath Furnished kitchen and living room. Call 816-786-2012 hawckh.com/4003
Sublet for Spring '10 @ the Hawker
28BR/2BA, 452 a person, per month $904 +
utilities Washer+dryer 5 min walk to campus!
Contact Jessica, jwall09@ku.edu
hawkahiak.com/4006
Roommate needed NOW for 3BR 1BA!
$315+1/3 utilities. Oct. rent pd 2 minutes from Fraser Andrea 785-410-4421.
hawkcalch.com/4000
Canyon Court Apts. 700 Comet Ln.
1 B $550, 2 B $740, 3 B $895
$200/B Deposit Special (785)832-8805
canyoncord@sunflower.com
Retired woman seeks quiet female student to share large home close to KU. Furnished, private bath, W/D, garage. $400 +1/3 utilities. hawkchalk.com/4002
Unhappy with your current living situation?? Avail. Now - Immaculate 4 BR house across from KU soccer
fields. $1400/mo. 785-691-6955
UPS Store is accepting applications for a PT position. Flexible schedule avail., excellent customer service and computer skills req. Exp. w/ publisher pref. Apply at UPS store, 4000 W gth. 785-856-0707
HOUSING
"A Great Place to Call Home"
One month free rent, immediate availa-
bility
Great location! Call 785-842-3240
"A Great Place to Call Home"
One month free rent, immediate availability
Great location for 3 BR Apts.
Call-785-741-2060
FREE RENT until 2010!
• 2 & 3 BR Units
• FREE DVD Rentals
• FREE Continental Breakfast
• Gated Community
• Optional Garages
PARKWAY COMMONS
3601 Clinton Pkway
785-832-3280
4 -12 BR houses avail. Aug, 2010. Walk to campus. 785-842-6618. rainbowworks1@yahoo.com
5 BR or 3 BR unit. 2 BA, 2 kitchens, 2 living areas, separate entrance, W/D, D/W, off-street parking, NEAR KU, $1500/o street inc. AviN. Notill 785-311-4350.
LUXURY LIVING AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
2 & 3 Bedroom $750-$840
1/2 off deposit
PAID INTERNET
Ranch Way Townhomes on Clinton Parkway
Gage Management
785-842-7644 | www.gagemgmt.com
2BR, 1 BR, & studio at 1247 Ohio, 2 blocks from union, from $300-$700/mo. Low utilities. 785-865-8771
Luxury Apt, for Sublasei flat screen,
granite countertops, leather couchl
(630)854-7057 hawkcah.com/3995.
3 BR/2BA, 2 car garage town-home in good neighborhood 1 block to bus route, shopping, restaurants. Small pets OK $850/mo. Deposit negotiable. 785-856-363 mawkchalk.com/4013
Sunrise Place Sunrise Village
Apartments and Townhomes
Spacious, Remodeled homes
2,3,& 4 Bedroom
Models Available
View plans, pricing,
and amenities @
sunriseapartments.com
or call 841-8400