Posted on 05/25/2004 4:59:02 PM PDT by johnfrink
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 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, D.C, 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 and Sen. John Kerry, 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.
It worked in Spain.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!"
Why wouldn't they? It worked in Spain.
(just bears repeating)
Ok, if this is true then here's the deal.... F*CK THEM!!, F*CK THE ARAB ASSHOLES AND F*CK THIS BULLSH*T ISLAM RELIGION OF PEACE SHI*T!!!!!! HELLO MR. PRESIDENT, WE IMPLORE YOU, GET AS TOUGH AS WE KNOW YOU ARE, PLEASE!!!!!!
If they all killed 5 people (no doubt some would really kill less and some a lot more), 90 thousand Americans would be dead.
I doubt they will attack with a massive suicide bomb attack though.
Buy more guns and ammo
After this next attack, the US Congress should pass a formal declaration of war.
The POTUS should then target any state that harbors terrorist groups, or enables terrorist group access to WMD - and we will need to be unmerciful in our wrath. (
All of us.
It is a scary time to teach at an elementary school. I hope your school has some sort of emergency plan in mind.
I remember during the Cold War when we had bomb drills--hustling my elementary students into the center hall, or alternately, having them crouch under desks.
But what can you really do in the face of a dirty bomb or gas attack?
Tell us how you really feel. ;)
Where would we unleash them?
A few suggestions: Mecca, Syria, Jordan, Egypt...
If the terrs do, we should nuke Iran, syria, and the northern tribal areas in Pakiland.
My Gut tells me it is another outside the USA attack. The moslems are following a divide and conquer strategy.
Of note: The US president just appeared with the newly elected Greek Prime Minister. GW Bush said he has been paying attention to the security at the olympics and believes they will be ready. I am concerned as I will be there. (I am still going and will not change my plans)
Of course hitting england when security is high somewhere else is good for them too.
What is creepy is that Kerry has Madaline Albright tooling around europe like he is a shadow president with power to promise. (BTW has anyone seen the kerry bumpersticer? is says the traitors name over teh word "president")
There is no doubt he is in contact with foreign powers to push getting them to help him ala Carter begging the USSR to defeat Reagan. (clinton is begging China)
How can this be? Didn't we just recently invade and topple the terrorist supporting regime in Afghanistan, and oh yes, also in Iraq so that our shores would be safe?
Isn't/wasn't the war with Iraq to assure we fight the terrorists on their soil and not ours?
WTF exactly is going on here? Maybe we should open our borders even more to ensure total diversity so the terrorists wouldn't attack their own people............. (/sarcasm)
The question is whether it will work in 1 of 17 swing states? Would this be enough to sway voters in Ohio to vote for Kerry? I believe it will have the opposite effect terrorists want.
(religion of peace HA, its a religion of baby pieces.)
Whoa..... that had been building up a bit I guess, huh?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.