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Dirty bomb was main focus of US' end-of-year high alert: report
Agence France-Presse
| 1/07/04
Posted on 01/07/2004 3:35:56 AM PST by 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.
TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: dirtybomb; homelandsecurity; orangealert; orangealert4; radium; radiumpellet; threats
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1
posted on
01/07/2004 3:35:57 AM PST
by
kattracks
To: kattracks
"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?
2
posted on
01/07/2004 3:40:55 AM PST
by
Fabozz
To: kattracks
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.
To: Fabozz
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...
To: kattracks
FNC is reporting on it now
5
posted on
01/07/2004 4:04:40 AM PST
by
mylife
To: SamAdams76
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.
6
posted on
01/07/2004 4:12:05 AM PST
by
Dog
To: mylife; Shermy; seamole; Miss Marple
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.
7
posted on
01/07/2004 4:14:00 AM PST
by
Dog
To: kattracks
The scientists were disguised as normal citizens Isn't there a joke there somewhere? LOL
To: Dog; Sam Adams
9
posted on
01/07/2004 4:16:20 AM PST
by
kattracks
To: 19th LA Inf
I guess they had them wear contacts and took away the pocket protectors?
10
posted on
01/07/2004 4:17:08 AM PST
by
GOP_Proud
(Those who preach tolerance seem to have the least for my views.)
To: kattracks
That one kat.....thanks!
11
posted on
01/07/2004 4:19:05 AM PST
by
Dog
To: kattracks
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.
12
posted on
01/07/2004 4:22:00 AM PST
by
Dog
To: kattracks
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.
13
posted on
01/07/2004 4:49:44 AM PST
by
VRWC_minion
(Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and most are right)
To: Dog
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
14
posted on
01/07/2004 4:52:52 AM PST
by
Coop
(God bless our troops!)
To: kattracks
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' . . . "
15
posted on
01/07/2004 4:53:11 AM PST
by
ex-Texan
To: Fabozz
They put "terrorists" in quotes but when was the last time the put right wing radical in quotes when referring to a Republican.
To: 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.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.
17
posted on
01/07/2004 5:54:16 AM PST
by
GWB00
To: kattracks
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
To: ex-Texan
"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.
19
posted on
01/07/2004 6:19:45 AM PST
by
Tricorn
To: kattracks
"terrorists" ?!?!?! Is that just a quaint expression?
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