Dirty bomb was main focus of US' end-of-year high alert: report

Agence France-Presse | 1/07/04

[kattracks]

Fear that "terrorists" might set off a dirty bomb prompted US authorities to raise the country's level of alert to "orange" or high, a US newspaper said.

Based more on experts' belief that al-Qaeda might attempt to set off a dirty bomb during the end-of-year celebrations than real information, the Department of Energy sent scores of nuclear scientists with detection equipment to five major cities, The Washington Post reported.

The scientists were disguised as normal citizens and their radiation detection equipment placed inside luggage, brief cases or golf bags, officials involved in the emergency effort told the daily.

Beginning on December 22, the teams covered Washington, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Baltimore around the clock, taking measurements.

Only in Las Vegas did the needles spike inside a storage unit on December 29. The radiation, it turned out, came from a cigar-size radium pellet -- used to treat cancer -- that a homeless man had found and stashed away among his meager belongings, the officials said.

The homeless man, whose identity was not disclosed, assisted authorities in their search and was not arrested.

US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge on December 21 issued a "Code Orange" security advisory, warning of a "high risk of terrorist attacks".

The heightened security led to the cancellation of several flights between Britain, France, Mexico and the United States, as well as to unprecedented security measures at open air New Year's Eve celebrations across the country.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents persuaded some businesses, including hotels and truck-rental firms, to voluntarily turn over their lists of guests or customers for comparison with terrorism watch lists, the officials told The Washington Post.

[Fabozz]

"Fear that 'terrorists' might set off a dirty bomb prompted US authorities to raise the country's level of alert..."

"Terrorists"? AFP can't even agree that blowing radioactive waste through a crowd of partygoers is an act of terrorism?

[SamAdams76]

If a somewhat harmless cigar-sized pellet of radium in Las Vegas can generate that much excitement with our domestic anti-terrorism forces...then I feel a little bit safer this morning.

[Atlantic Friend]

Yes, that's a strange way to put it, since they say "terrorism" a little further, and without using quotation marks. Maybe the original quote was longer ? Or maybe the writer wished to express his conviction that, should a dirty bomb explode, it would be the work of a nation-state and not of a terrorist organization ? Or is it some obscure editorial rule of AFP ? I dunno...

[mylife]

FNC is reporting on it now

[Dog]

Sam did you see the article about the guy loose in Europe who they think was going to bring down that plane from Paris to LA on Christmas Eve.

[Dog]

Based more on experts' belief that al-Qaeda might attempt to set off a dirty bomb during the end-of-year celebrations than real information, the Department of Energy sent scores of nuclear scientists with detection equipment to five major cities, The Washington Post reported.

The scientists were disguised as normal citizens and their radiation detection equipment placed inside luggage, brief cases or golf bags, officials involved in the emergency effort told the daily.

These are called NEST teams...they are only sent out on the VERY SERIOUS cases.

[19th LA Inf]

The scientists were disguised as normal citizens

Isn't there a joke there somewhere? LOL

[kattracks]

This one?

COPS TRACK QAEDA JET-BOMB PLOTTERS

[GOP_Proud]

I guess they had them wear contacts and took away the pocket protectors?

[Dog]

That one kat.....thanks!

[Dog]

Kat there is another thread called Whereabouts unknown...Shermy posted a link in that thread with the story of the French intel acting on info the US provided arresting FIVE people in Lyon France who were connected to the bomber they are hunting today.

[VRWC_minion]

Spin, spin, spin. France screwed up, plain and simple. Sure we were worried about multiple threats including dirty bombs but one of those threats included a bomber on a plane and he would be in custody right now if it were for the surrender monkeys.

[Coop]

These are called NEST teams...they are only sent out on the VERY SERIOUS cases.

Dog, you're being an alarmist, my friend. This same article said there was not a specific threat, but just a concern. And let's take this little quiz:

Based on published articles, America's terror level was raised because...

a) officials feared airlines might be hijacked
b) officials were concerned bombers might try to bring down aircraft
c) officials were worried about a dirty bomb attack
d) officials were afraid of WMD attacks
e) all of the above

:-) Take your time

[ex-Texan]

The most recent warning of a terrorist attack threatens the use of nuclear, chemical and bio-weapons. You may see the most recent terror alerts Here if you are interested. These topics are covered:

Al Qaeda: "Zero Hour Has Been Set" for U.S. Strike

Terrorists Have Weapons of Mass Destruction

Back Pack Nukes Mentioned in Messages!

Al-Qaeda Reported to Have 20 Russian Suitcase Nukes

Oh, well, "The times -- they are a changin' . . . "

[11th Earl of Mar]

They put "terrorists" in quotes but when was the last time the put right wing radical in quotes when referring to a Republican.

[GWB00]

If a somewhat harmless cigar-sized pellet of radium in Las Vegas can generate that much excitement with our domestic anti-terrorism forces...then I feel a little bit safer this morning.

My thoughts exactly when reading this article. After 9/11 I felt that tracking a nuclear device would be one of the most difficult things for intelligence and security officials could do. It seems that we are more sophisticated in perhaps trying to stop these events. We just now need this to happend 24/7 in every major city and where vital economic interests are located. Still a big task, but possible with the right resources.

[TaxRelief]

Beginning on December 22, the teams covered Washington, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Baltimore around the clock, taking measurements.

It is good to know that those cities are radiation free. It is probably the first time they have ever been tested. < /tongue-in-cheek

Radiation detectors are expensive and must be carefully calibrated, but You can build your own Kearny Fallout Meter

[Tricorn]

"Al Qaeda: "Zero Hour Has Been Set" for U.S. Strike"

Which "Zero Hour" is that? The Christmas/New Years 2001 zero hour, or the July 4 2002 zero hour, or the beginning of Ramadan 2002 zero hour or the "plane storm" or...

AQ should just issue a blanket "Why, I oughtta..." statement. They're starting to look silly.

[Aggie Mama]

"terrorists" ?!?!?! Is that just a quaint expression?