Obama Administration Issues Warning Over Right-wing Extremists

The Obama administration has issued a chilling warning to US police forces of the threat of a rise in violent right-wing extremist groups fueled by economic recession, the return of disgruntled army veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan and hostility towards election of the first black president.

The internal report, which was not meant for publication, was drawn up by the department of homeland security, set up after the 9/11 attacks to co-ordinate internal security. A leaked copy said: "The economic downturn and the election of the first African-American president present unique drivers for right-wing radicalization and recruitment."

It added that the threat posed by lone wolves and small terrorist cells is more pronounced than in past years.

The appearance of the report generated criticism from Republicans and military veterans' groups, who resented the implication that returning troops presented a danger. One of the biggest veterans' groups, the American Legion, described it as "unfair‚" "incomplete‚" and "politically-motivated".

The nine-page report, marked For Official Use Only, was drawn up by the department of homeland security's extremism and radicalization branch. A leaked copy initially appeared on conservative websites and was then picked up by the US media.

The assessment contends that "right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists - including lone wolves or small terrorist cells - to carry out violence".

It added: "The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today."

The early 1990s saw a rise in militias and cults that were anti-government and anti-Bill Clinton, against a background of economic recession. Some were into survivalism and others were motivated by racism or religion. There were a series of incidents and shoot-outs with federal agents that included the Waco siege in 1993 and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

David Rehbein, national commander of the American Legion, which has 2.6 million members, yesterday protested in a letter to the homeland security secretary, Janet Napolitano, at the implication that returning troops presented a danger, saying: "I think it is important for all of us to remember that Americans are not the enemy. The terrorists are."

Rehbein added: "The American Legion is well aware and horrified at the pain inflicted during the Oklahoma City bombing, but Timothy McVeigh was only one of more than 42 million veterans who have worn this nation's uniform during wartime. To continue to use McVeigh as an example of the stereotypical 'disgruntled military veteran' is as unfair as using Osama bin Laden as the sole example of Islam."

The report said that threats from white supremacists and violent anti-government groups have been largely rhetorical so far but a prolonged economic downturn ‚"could create a fertile recruiting environment for right-wing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past".

It added: "Right-wing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African-American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning."

In particular it highlighted antagonism at Obama's perceived stance on issues ranging from immigration to social programs for minorities and proposed restrictions on firearms. Since the November election, rightwing extremists have been using propaganda to reach out to a wider audience of potential recruits.

It cited as an example of potential violence that may have been related to right-wing extremism the shooting of three police in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earlier this month. The alleged gunman was reportedly influence by racist ideolology and anti-government and anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.

Internet chatter by right-wing extremists blames some job losses on a cabal of Jewish financial elites.

There is shortage of ammunition in the US because large quantities are being bought by gun-owners worried that the Obama administration is about to impose controls on assault weapons. There have been mixed messages from the White House and other departments, as well as from Democratic members of Congress, over whether to introduce restrictions.