Operation Bojinka

Operation Bojinka
Ramzi_Yousef.gif

Ramzi Yousef, Mastermind of Operation Bojinka.​

----------------------------------------------------------------------​

MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Catholic leader and influential world figure Pope John Paul II was assasinated this morning in a brazen attack on his motorcade as he celebrated World Youth Day in the country.​

Reports have put the death toll at seven, including the pontiff, and dozens wounded when a suicide bomber, dressed as a Catholic priest, detonated explosives as the motorcade stopped at a seminary in Makati City.​

Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls announced the pope's death in a statement that urged "calm and cooperation" as the "investigation into the Holy Father's death" proceeded. Cardinal Giovanni Battista announced the pontiff's death to thousands in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, who had gathered in solidarity to honor John Paul II. "Dearest brothers and sisters....our beloved Father John Paul II has returned to the house of his Father. Let's pray for him," Battista said.​

President Bill Clinton pledged full support to the investigation in a brief meeting with reporters at the White House. "In speaking powerfully and eloquently for mercy and reconciliation to people divided by old hatreds and persecuted by abuse of power", Clinton said, "the Holy Father was a beacon of light not just for Catholics, but for all people."​

Pope John Paul II was 74.​

Filipino President Fidel Ramos asked for assistance as the magnitude of the investigation mounts. Streets in and out of Makati City remained closed well into the early morning hours as evidence is collected.​

_____________________________________
REUTERS | January 16th, 1995 | 1:17AM EST
 
Welcome to my my first timeline (go easy on me)!

I've been interested in alternate history for years, but only stumbled upon this wonderful site yesterday, thanks to a slow work-week.

Please feel free to contribute thoughts/ideas/criticisms to the thread as I roll it out.

Thanks and enjoy!
 
Things will get worse...How will this affect Clinton? Will this mean someone replaces him in 1996?
Will some people try and take advantage of this to go into Iraq? (Hussein Kamil may have defected around this time. Perhaps someone can convince him to become the future leader of Iraq...)
 
VATICAN CITY -- The funeral of Pope John Paul II was held today as thousands of mourners, including hundreds of leaders from around the world, gathered to pay their respects to the Holy Father.

Security for the event was extraordinarily tight on the heels of the latest developments out of the Philippines.

A previously unknown terror group, Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the assassination in a series of video messages made by it's leader, a wealthy Saudi named Osama bin Laden.

In the taped messages aired by Al Jazeera television in the Middle East, bin Laden called for "continued attacks around the world. As our blood is shed, so too shall those who persecute us." Bin Laden is seen sitting with an AK-47 assault rifle over his right shoulder.

International investigators continue to put together the pieces of the assassination of Pope John Paul II almost a full week after the attack in the Philippines.

The Catholic leader was in the country, attending World Youth Day celebrations.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one local authority believes the attack may be related to the December 11th bombing of a Philippine Airlines 747 over Okinawa, Japan, which is still being investigated. However, no official connection has been made.

_____________________________________
REUTERS | January 20th, 1995 | 8:49 PM EST
 
WASHINGTON -- In a statement released at the Capitol this evening, Senate Republican leader Bob Dole honored Pope John Paul II, calling the pontiff "a beacon of goodness, and a champion of all the world's people".

"The Pope was a faithful servant of God and tireless advocate of faith and understanding. He will be missed by millions."

Senator Dole released his statement as rumors have been swirling around Washington concerning his presidential aspirations.

Dole has previously run for the nation's high office in 1980 and 1988, after running as vice-president on a ticket headed by Gerald Ford in 1976.

_____________________________________
REUTERS | January 20th, 1995 | 9:31 PM EST
 
Welcome to the board, MaTTFLaMMaBLe! Good to have you here, and it's nice to see you come in bold with a timeline all set!

Regarding the conclave, Francis Arinze of Nigeria could be a candidate, even though he's a longshot.

And regarding the Bojinka plot, Bin Laden (at least according to Wikipedia) wasn't directly involved. Yousef's funding came from al-Qaeda, but indirectly, and he himself carried out all planning and preparation. Bin Laden may not even have known it was going to occur.

If the plot continues as planned, 12 airplanes will go down soon. I'll be interested to see what you do with the effects of that attack!

Cheers,
Ganesha
 
Welcome to the board, MaTTFLaMMaBLe! Good to have you here, and it's nice to see you come in bold with a timeline all set!

Regarding the conclave, Francis Arinze of Nigeria could be a candidate, even though he's a longshot.

And regarding the Bojinka plot, Bin Laden (at least according to Wikipedia) wasn't directly involved. Yousef's funding came from al-Qaeda, but indirectly, and he himself carried out all planning and preparation. Bin Laden may not even have known it was going to occur.

If the plot continues as planned, 12 airplanes will go down soon. I'll be interested to see what you do with the effects of that attack!

Cheers,
Ganesha

Thanks Ganesha! Great to be on here and have the ability to explore this with you all. I'm really enjoying myself and the comments.

You are correct about the indirect financing from bin Laden and not anything in the way of operational planning, but I wanted to possibly explore a more aggressive bin Laden (in terms of "marketing" al Qaeda) that would take credit for events that he may only be loosely engaged with. Maybe this will cause in-fighting within the group?

Would love to hear what you think!
 
Thanks Ganesha! Great to be on here and have the ability to explore this with you all. I'm really enjoying myself and the comments.

You are correct about the indirect financing from bin Laden and not anything in the way of operational planning, but I wanted to possibly explore a more aggressive bin Laden (in terms of "marketing" al Qaeda) that would take credit for events that he may only be loosely engaged with. Maybe this will cause in-fighting within the group?

Would love to hear what you think!

Well, right now al-Qaeda operates as a brand and a financier, not an operational terrorist group. Perhaps ITTL they might make that shift earlier as a strategic choice, rather than being forced to.
 
Things will get worse...How will this affect Clinton? Will this mean someone replaces him in 1996?
Will some people try and take advantage of this to go into Iraq? (Hussein Kamil may have defected around this time. Perhaps someone can convince him to become the future leader of Iraq...)

I don't see how this changes the US presidential election. I can see how Saddam could get the blame.
 
Things will get worse...How will this affect Clinton? Will this mean someone replaces him in 1996?
Will some people try and take advantage of this to go into Iraq? (Hussein Kamil may have defected around this time. Perhaps someone can convince him to become the future leader of Iraq...)

Honestly, if Clinton takes the "right" response, I think his re-election would be a shoo-in.
 
Top