Briton 'could stage another September 11'Interview: America's new homeland security chief tells Toby Harnden of his fears of 'clean skin' terrorists
• Toby Harnden's blog
• The godfather chaser
The United States fears that the next September 11-style attack on America could be launched by Muslims from Britain or Europe who feel "second-class citizens" and alienated by a "colonial legacy", according to the US Homeland Security chief.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Michael Chertoff, who arrives in Britain tomorrow for talks with John Reid, the Home Secretary, said the US was determined to build extra defences against so-called "clean skin" terrorists from Europe.
Mr Chertoff rejected the idea that the Iraq war had made the world more dangerous.
"Those that are inclined to be radicalised will find a reason to be radicalised no matter what's going on in the world."
More than some ashen membrane
Are the clean skin.
Tell me what they are?
Oh! How beautiful are these alien creatures!
They move with the wind
Under cover of night and sun.
Glowing and graceful they progress
Nearer my tenuous fear.
Seen and unseen,
Like I’ve just exited some dark room;
Under the sun everyone’s a ghost.
Phantoms, whose faces are washed away,
And whose hands are sickly white,
Blanched from unredeemed horrors,
Stand now, drumming rigid fingers
Across the consciousness
Under my clean skin.
© 2007 mrp/thepoetryman
