capesidefan

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AP: Terrorists Planning Summer Attack

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By CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials have obtained new intelligence deemed highly credible indicating al-Qaida or other terrorists are in the United States and preparing to launch a major attack this summer, The Associated Press has learned.

The intelligence does not include a time, place or method of attack but is among the most disturbing received by the government since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to a senior federal counterterrorism official who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday.


Of most concern, the official said, is that terrorists may possess and use a chemical, biological or radiological weapon that could cause much more damage and casualties than a conventional bomb.


"There is clearly a steady drumbeat of information that they are going to attack and hit us hard," said the official, who described the intelligence as highly credible.


The official declined to provide any specifics about the sources of the information but said there was an unusually high level of corroboration.


Despite that, the official said there was no immediate plan to raise the nation's terrorism threat level from yellow, or elevated, to orange, or high. The threat level has been at yellow — midpoint on the five-color scale — since January.


Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) and FBI (news - web sites) Director Robert Mueller plan a news conference Wednesday to outline an intensive effort by law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security officials to detect and disrupt any potential plots. And the FBI plans to dispatch a bulletin to some 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies warning of the threat.


Beginning with Saturday's dedication of the new World War II Memorial in Washington, the summer presents a number of high-profile targets in the United States. They include the G-8 summit in Georgia next month that will attract top officials from some of America's closest allies, the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July and the Republican National Convention in August in New York.


The FBI and Homeland Security Department also are concerned about so-called soft targets such as shopping malls anywhere in the United States that offer a far less protected environment than a political convention hall.


U.S. authorities repeatedly have said al-Qaida is determined to mount an attack on U.S. soil, in part to announce to the world that it remains capable of doing so despite the money and effort that has gone into homeland security in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.


There also is concern terrorists might try to mount an attack to coincide with the November election. The political fallout from the March 11 train bombings in Spain taught al-Qaida that an attack timed to an election can have a major impact. Spain's former ruling party was ousted in the voting that followed the bombing, which killed 191 and injured more than 2,000.


The official did not say how many suspected al-Qaida or other terrorist operatives are believed in the country, whether they made their way into the United States recently or have been here for some time. The FBI has warned in the past that Islamic extremist groups may attempt to recruit non-Middle Easterners or women for attacks because they would be less likely to arouse suspicion.


Special security attention already is being focused to the nation's rail, subway and bus lines. The FBI last week sent out an intelligence bulletin to law enforcement agencies urging vigilance against suicide bombers, who have been used by terror groups worldwide to devastating effect but not so far in the United States.


Separately, Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Michael Garcia told reporters Tuesday that some 2,300 of its agents are being deployed to assist in security for the high-profile events scheduled this summer in the United States. These include as many as 20 agents each day working with the Secret Service to protect the campaigns of President Bush (news - web sites) and Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), the Democratic presidential candidate.


Garcia said his agency also is working to "tighten the investigative system" to ensure that terrorists do not enter the United States by way of human smuggling operations or through the vast, largely unprotected border with Canada.

Enigma, I.C.

How convenient that this comes out now when Bush's approval ratings are at 41%. "They may be planning an attack which may or may not involve a vehicle. In addition, it may be directed at a place or a location." It's all about keeping people scared.

Ms Carolyn

You got that right. I can't wait for the announcement to come out -- I'd say about 6 weeks before the election -- that a major attack has been thwarted. Probably by Dubya acting single-handedly and taking out 47 Ninja terrorists with a flamethrower. Wag the dog, anyone?

Enigma, I.C.

Bush will also parachute into Afghanistan and pull Osama bin Laden out of a cave with his barehands, in front of a Fox news crew, of course.

Katis

You know, people complained that no one warned people about the information they had on 9/11, and yet now when they put out information they have on possible attacks people get pissed off. Pick a side!!

They're probably releasing more information than they would have in the past because of all the heat about them not following up enough on the warnings before 9/11.

capesidefan

but is this information helpful to a common person, not really.....

Enigma, I.C.

Well, the information is so vague that it's practically worthless to the average person. The message is: Be afraid. Be very afraid!
I think it's a diversionary tactic, to get the news off of Iraq and onto chasing phantoms, but that's just me.

capesidefan

my local news channels are having this as their top story, they are really hyping it up.....

Raonaild

I'm not quite cynical enough to chalk the timing of this announcement up to a Bush attempt to increase his popularity ... but "US Officials" don't exactly have the best intelligence track record these days, and there have been dozens of dire but vague attack warnings since 9/11. Why should we believe this one is any more real than any of those others? Why should we believe this particular warning is more credible than other things US intelligence has told us lately?

ceilirose

I'm not sure why this is such a news item because it's really no different than what Tom Ridge (Homeland Security, Bush and others have been telling us since 9/11. Specifically there is no fail-safe way to protect against future terrorist attacks.

This report is vague, the terror alert is not being raised and it could mean anything. Plus we're getting the Republican talking point of how the Madrid bombing affected a national election (supposedly) and that the Justice Department and FBI are planning news conferences to explain it all. I would hope that if the intelligence agencies have credible evidence then they should be investigating them behind the scenes and hopefully working together.

But why do we seem to get these warnings whenever Bush is in trouble politically? I hate to be cynical but they always seem to have some political motive in them. How much do you want to be that Tom Ridge, John Ashcroft and Mueller from the FBI will all be on the morning news shows today?

StellaSlight

You know, I think you got it wrong on people's reactions about the warnings of 9/11. The important point was not about informing people, it was about doing something against it. The commission on 9/11 isn't there to know if Bush should have given away more informations about warnings of 9/11 but if he had done enough to prevent it.

I am aware that spreading informations about attacks aren't beneficial to the situation : people are so prompt to panick and it can seriously interfere with the work of counter-terrorism agencies, as well as the government's. I'm really skeptical about the fact that the governement would deliberatly give away pieces of information about upcoming attacks, especially if it interferes with their work. For one who lives in a country on a high-leveled security since 1995, the fact that a government publicly announces 'We will be attacked' like this, is really ridiculous. What's the use of that information but scaring people? That they would admit that intelligences knew that there will be an attack but don't know when nor where but how (the details about the weapons) is suspiscious.

Besides, what's new? There've been attacks warnings since 9/11. The officials always talked about potential attacks but never knew where, nor when, but how (they mentioned anthrax, bombs, biological weapons...). Looks like déjà-vu to me, but that it would make the headlines right now is really convenient indeed...

SuperDeluxe

Well hoping for the best that this does not happen.

I will definately pique my eyes for anything out of place or unsual.

SuperDeluxe

Bingo.

Damned if you do..damned if you dont

Dont say it..and something happens? people whine and B**ch

Do say it...and nothing happens? People whine about how it was only political.

JohannafromIHJ

Terrorists are *****ing crazy. You can't launch an attack in the middle of summer, it's too damn hot.

SuperDeluxe

I also dont think this was meant to make people afraid.

I feel it was done..so people are just..more 'aware' of whats going on around them..imo.