U.S. warns of possible al Qaeda threat

reuters ^ | 11/21/03

[knak]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government has issued an advisory warning of al Qaeda's "continued desire" to plot a terrorist attack on American interests abroad, but there has been no change in the U.S. terror threat level.

A senior intelligence official said a classified advisory was sent to law enforcement and security personnel late on Thursday regarding "al Qaeda's continued desire to plot or plan terrorist attacks with an emphasis on U.S. interests abroad."

But a Homeland Security spokesman said there was no change in the current colour-coded threat level, which remains at "yellow" or an elevated risk of attack.

"Based on assessment of current intelligence we have no plans to raise the threat level," department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said.

The classified advisory was sent following recent violence abroad, particularly in Turkey where bomb attacks in Istanbul have killed more than 50 people and wounded hundreds since Saturday, the official said.

A statement purported to come from a unit of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network said it carried out twin truck bomb attacks on British targets in Istanbul, five days after two similar attacks on Istanbul synagogues.

The United States joined Britain in warning its citizens to defer nonessential travel to Turkey, reflecting fears of further terror attacks there.

The United States blames al Qaeda for the September 11, 2001, hijacked airline attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued advisories in the past saying it remained concerned about al Qaeda's continued efforts to plan attacks against the United States and U.S. interests overseas.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge told Reuters on Thursday the department had no plans to raise the terror threat level in the United States despite the recent violence abroad.

The Department of Homeland Security created its colour-coded terror alert warning system in March 2002 to help Americans better prepare for future attacks.

The alert level has generally remained at "yellow" -- the middle of the five-colour scale -- but has been raised to "orange" signalling a "high" risk of attack on four different occasions. The last time it was at orange was in May, after deadly suicide bombings in Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Does anyone ever go on the web or turn on the television to "check" what it is? Does anyone even THINK about it, anymore?

[aristotleman]

This means nothing. Given what is happening in Turkey, it is wise to issue a warning so as to not get caught with their pants down.

[Calpernia]

Ping

[Calpernia]

"The United States blames al Qaeda for the September 11, 2001, hijacked airline attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

[Cindy]

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - Public Announcement: "WORLDWIDE CAUTION" (PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SNIPPET: "The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. We are seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaida is preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad. Looking at the last few months, Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have struck in the Middle East in Riyadh, in North Africa in Casablanca, and in East Asia in Indonesia. We therefore assess that other geographic locations could be venues for the next round of attacks. We expect Al-Qaida will strive for new attacks that will be more devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out the potential for Al-Qaida to attempt a second catastrophic attack within the U.S. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests, and threats to include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable.") (September 26, 2003) (Read More...)

[Cindy]

LINKS OF INTEREST
http://www.truthusa.com/LinksOfInterest.html

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: "ATTACK ON AMERICA!:
http://www.truthusa.com/911.html

[JustPiper]

Bump Cal!

[txhurl]

Probably better if no color change happens this Thanksgiving week.

I think W has many triggers cocked. And they know it.

[Lady Eileen]

...bump

[InterceptPoint]

The longer we go without a strike by al-Queda against a continental U.S. target the more I am conviced that bin Laden is uncertain and fearful of the resulting U.S. response. For example, assume that bin Laden is hiding out in Iran and that we know where but have our hands tied politically. If he attacks the U.S. again those political constraints would dissolve in an instant and he would be on the run again and we would have Iran in our gunsights. Neither bin Laden or the Iranian clerics who may be his new sponsors are likely to take that risk. Much safer to bomb Turkey and Iraq.

[StormEye]

"U.S. warns of possible al Qaeda threat"

When the US Gov. starts controlling the borders, deporting all of the illegals,
stops allowing muslims from immigrating here, stops the issuing of visas to
Middle Eastern people and ends all of political correctness at the airports and
other places, then I'll take the warning seriously.

Other wise the warning system is nothing but a joke.
Oh, and thanks for the warning US Government.

[Calpernia]

I agree. Can't help but wonder what all was discussed in England.

[txhurl]

I can't help but think it was the ....end-all, be-all, do-all...

I think that's also why the amplification - those who know their goose is cooked screech the loudest. And they are shrieking, no? They tried to engage Japan today... proof that they're 'outta here'.

Iran.. that's the next mind-$#^%*.

[Calpernia]

But just Iran? Is someone wagging their tail? I can't help but keep looking over my shoulder at places like the 'Old Soviet'.

Have you followed these threads at all? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/841386/posts

Go through that. It has been updated as recent as today.

Then you stop and wonder at how instrumental the Russians were with supplying weapons 'knowingly or unknowingly' to these Mid East Countries. They were also instrumental in China's space program.

[txhurl]

Russia is 'in our pocket'.

They spent 30 years defying us, we clipped them, now they have to spend 30 years deferring to us.

Although they do know the whereabouts of their 'missing' suitcase nukes, and spent plutonium rods.

But we can shut down all their cash spigots: petro, diamonds, gold, u-name-it. They're in our pocket.

[Calpernia]

Uh huh. Who are we testing for....


U.S. Detonates 'Mother of All Bombs' in Florida Test

http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/367649|top|11-21-2003::18:06|reuters.html

Nov 21, 6:01 PM (ET)

By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The most powerful conventional bomb in the U.S. arsenal exploded in a huge, fiery cloud on a Florida test range on Friday after being dropped by an Air Force cargo plane in the last developmental step for the nearly 11-ton"mother of all bombs."

An MC-130E Combat Talon I dropped the 21,700-pound satellite-guided GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, or MOAB, over the test range at Eglin Air Force Base in northwestern Florida, said base spokesman Jake Swinson.

A plume of smoke rose more than 10,000 feet in the air and was visible 40 miles away in Pensacola, Florida.