AP: Terrorists Planning Summer Attack

AP via Yahoo News ^ | Curt Anderson

[Wolfstar]

17 minutes ago (at time of posting) 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 and FBI 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.

[NYC GOP Chick]

WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE INTENT OF THESE SLIMEBALLS IS NOT TO GET JOHN KERRY ELECTED PRESIDENT.

IT IS TO KILL US ALL.

Actually, I do think they want to get Frenchie elected, if only because they perceive (correctly) that he won't go after them, as he has repeatedly stated that this war should be fought by means other than the military -- classic wimp out.

In other words, they believe that a President Kerry will make it easier for them to regroup and kill more of us.

[Brad’s Gramma]

That's why I recommended the book. The first chapter alone grabs you...and it's on that subject. I don't want to say more and ruin it.

[cajungirl]

I have grown cynical about my fellow Americans. I think, and Lord I hate to say it, that with a new attack there will be those of us who wave flags and vow revenge but the greater numbers will blame it on Bush, jingoeism, etc and we will elect Kerry President to undo the "harm that Bush did",,I pray I am wrong but damn, it seems that all I hear is Anti Bush anti war stuff from people who used to be pretty conservative.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[sinkspur]

What is coming over the border right now as you read this sinkspur? Do you know??

Tamales?

[NYC GOP Chick]

I've noticed more cops on foot patrol around here lately...

[Greg Weston]

I thought it was about WMD's? Now the Iraq war is about my free speech? Puzzling. I hope your nephew survives the terrible blunders of the CONS that put him there.

[mrobison]

Yes, dear.

[markman46]

opps sorry that should be "it's not only the one's crossing the border i am concerned about". I am just waiting for all the PAC's that live here in the apt complex I live in to go to ground then I'll know something is up.

[eyespysomething]

What a fine fine hairthin line we are walking between freedom and governemtn control. It scares me sometimes. Very frustrating when fighting the War on Terror.

[Slip18]

"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."

You can't have free speech if you're dead. Duhhhhhh.

My nephew will survive this, I have no doubt.

[hummingbird]

wasnt that where some terrorists were recently arrested?

Arghhhhhh...........can't a 3/4 hillbilly find someplace "high mountain" that's still safe?!

[mrobison]

I think that what the terrorists are trying to accomplish now is to render all our political and economic systems useless. I don't mean to be apocolyptic, but they are not playing tit-for-tat. They want us all dead now. Not after Kerry is elected and they start every day trying to figure out how to do that. They realize this is a fight to the death. They aren't thinking strategically. They are thinking tactically. I honestly think that the Democrats' recent emasculation of the President may result in the fall of our nation.

[sinkspur]

Do you do anything on FR but bash Bush?

You never engage in conversation, or post an article.

Just calumniation.

I'd hate to be your dog.

[take]

Los Alamos Lab Loses More Data (nuclear weapons lab)
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,63553,00.html

[bluefish]

Are you Emerson? :}

[Prolifeconservative]

Wow, you are cynical. Stop listening to liberal news outlets.

If this country is attacked again, you will see mobs with pitchforks coming over the hills I guarantee you!!!

[garjog]

I wonder if the terrorist may be going for broke. Maybe they don’t care if Bush wins or not. We know that al Qaeda is seeking a spectacular attack and that they have dozens, if not hundreds, of terrorists in place across the nation.

Maybe they don’t want to mess around with a few hundred killings, but are looking to “hit us hard” with a massive attack planned for years? What if we should believe them when they say that their goal is to kill four million Americans and destroy our economy?

Remember that our intelligence guys were shocked that al Qaeda had secret White House Tele-communication codes? This enemy is entrenched.

WMDs could be sitting in place in eight or ten of our major cities right now set to go off on a certain date.

Intelligence sources didn’t have any idea about the Madrid attacks. There was no chatter, even though it was highly planned and involved a large group. Successful war tactics demand surprise. Americans should be prepared for a massive attack, unlike any in history. Are we ready? Are there any organizations devoted to the aftermath of a terror holocaust?

[section9]

You are wrong, but I understand your pessimism. Americans, by and large, are made from sterner stuff than the Eurotrash. An attack here will simply piss us off again.

Part of what we here is the echo of our opposites on the Left. Both sides are ideological, and tend to pay attention to what the other side says.

Most of the stuff we hear from the right is from the Brigadier/Paleo crowd, most of whom have hated Bush from the beginning anyway, when they're not going off about "wetbacks" and "Joooz!"

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[NYC GOP Chick]

You learn fast. I like that!