According to the
London Times (which I can't read, alas, since they require a subscription--I'm getting this summary from the description of this story on CNN this morning), the UK and US governments are claiming that the anti-Bush protests in London next week could pose a potential terrorist threat since the terrorists would be able to mingle in with the crowds and be able to launch an attack.
Here's the headline and teaser:
Al-Qaeda pose terrorist threat to Bush visit
"Al-Qaeda terrorists using the cover of huge anti-war protests are a very real threat to the safety of George Bush during his state visit to London next week, Britain's most senior policemen have said."
Now, call me cynical and I wish no physical harm on the man (just deep personal and electoral humiliation), but I'm not buying this. I know London has been a haven for some Al Qaeda types (like the shoe-bomber), but this just smells to me. This so clearly looks to be a politically motivated alarmist story to give support to Bush's craven scheme to shut the city down so he won't have to face criticism. Apparently he's also not going to address the House of Commons, either, because he'll get heckled. George W Bush: A profile in courage.