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Related Articles Terror alert in South Pacific

Pacific islands seek security help

Nov 16, 2006 6:42 PM

Pacific nations are seeking New Zealand and Australia's help to protect them from a possible terrorist threat following a ONE News special report on an FBI hunt for a man with terrorist connections in the Kiribati islands.

Kiribati people have barely heard of 9/11, but now they are learning about global terrorism first hand.

"We never imagined we would be sighted for some activities of that nature and it was quite a revelation for us to realise this," says Kiribati President Anote Tong.

The man the FBI is trying to find is Wolfgang Bohringer who says he is friends with 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta.

Bohringer wanted the Kiribati government to approve a flight school on one of their most remote islands bordering US waters, despite Fanning Island having no airport or telecommunications.

The only way in and out of Fanning Island is by boat, so Bohringer sweetened his flight school proposal by offering to provide emergency air services to the 2,500 people living there.

It was local residents who tipped off authorities after discovering Bohringer kept a trunk full of cash as well as guns on his yacht. But it was his mention of Atta, the 9/11 hijacker, that really sparked alarm.

"We stumbled upon something that may have been truly, truly bad," says Fanning Island resident Chuck Corbett.

As well as the flight school ONE News has revealed that the FBI is investigating Bohringer's alleged links to Viktor Kozeny. Known as the Pirate of Prague, he faces swindling charges involving hundreds of millions of dollars.

The last known sighting of Bohringer was in Kiribati two months ago. This terror alert has prompted the Kiribati government to ask for help.

"I think it may put onus on the countries that would be threatened to assist us in providing that security," says Tong.

Bohringer left Kiribati in a hurry once realising authorities were on to him.

He has also left behind questions the FBI would dearly like answers to.

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