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.
Right on target. Very disturbing part of this picture.
Yes they are. And, the only control at schools is on teachers. Can't tell them to sit down, can't tell them to shut up. Can't tell them to listen. Can't spank them. Can't touch them. Can't hurt their feelings. Can't build a fence around the place. Can't...
Can allow just about ANYONE to walk in any door. Can allow students to curse. Can allow students to watch porn at all hours on their own time (and then expect them to be interested in learning while at school). Can give them condoms.
Maybe we NEED something to help realign priorities?
Correct. High likelihood of something happening for greatest political impact. California. Florida. Ohio. A state with a lot of electoral votes and liberal voters.
Yep. I think his failure to mobilize the country will be one of the biggest of his administration. The people were ready to do just about anything in that month or two, and I mean put forth real sacrifice and come together as a nation, and that opportunity has been feebly squandered.
If they strike in this country before the election it will reinforce the misgivings the undecideds have about flip-flopping Kerry and insure a GWB landslide.
Way too many people have heard the credible allegations that some or all of Kerry's PHs weren't valid - they know he later turned on his fellow servicemen and accused them of atrocities which he either also committed or lied about - take your pick.
They have had almost three years of watching GWB dedicate himself to destroying terrorists in spite of dim/lib and UN opposition to and hamstringing of his efforts.
The contrast is striking. The DNC switching candidates at the last minute won't help either - they have no one who will inspire confidence in the American people if the terrorists are stupid enough to strike here before November.
"I just pray that Bush unleashes the dogs of war if they do."
If he doesn't, then it will be up to the American citizen to carry this fight to the enemy amongst us.
"I am getting sick and tired of sitting around waiting for some terrorist punk to take a shot at my city. When are we going to start destroying the enemy?"
Good question.
They were fighting both for the security of the country and the economy. I understand the choice that was made, but maybe there could have been more done to mobilize people in a positive way.
Hindsight is 20/20. Perhaps there still could be an effort made on some of this, such as enlisting people to be observers along the coastline.
"I shudder to think what the reaction will be in the streets if we are hit with massive casualties (i.e. chem or bio attack)."
I would not want to be a mohammedan in America if that happens.
I made up a Wanted Poster for everyone to print out and put around town!
It is in Microsoft Word.
To get to the poster, you must go to the News page on this site (which I have provided a link for) then click the link on the right of the page (due to some rules my host has).
http://westhamptontars.8m.com/whats_new.html
The retaliation will be something awful.
In our town, the Mosque is right next door to the American Legion Post downtown. I can just imagine what would happen down there after the next attack.
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.