Posted on 05/26/2004 2:51:46 AM PDT by Piefloater
TERRORISTS are in the United States and preparing to launch a major attack in the new few months, new "highly credible" intelligence indicates.
A senior US Government source said the intelligence did not indicate a time, place or method of attack, but was among the most disturbing received by authorities since September 11, 2001.
The source did not provide any detail about the sources of the information but said there was an unusually high level of corroboration.
"There is clearly a steady drumbeat of information that they are going to attack and hit us hard," the official said.
The source said authorities were concerned terrorists could possess and use a chemical, biological or radiological weapon that could cause much more damage and casualties than a conventional bomb.
Despite that, there was no immediate plan to raise America's terrorism threat level from yellow (elevated) to orange (high). The threat level has been at yellow - midpoint on the five-colour scale - since January.
US Attorney-General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller will hold a news conference tomorrow 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 this weekend's dedication of the new World War II Memorial in Washington, the northern 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 centres, that offer a far less protected environment than a political convention hall.
US authorities have repeatedly said al-Qaeda is determined to mount an attack on US soil, in part to announce to the world it remains capable of doing so despite the money and effort that has gone into homeland security in the wake of the September 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-Qaeda that an attack timed to an election can affect politcal stability. Spain's former ruling party was ousted in the voting that followed the bombing, which killed 191 and injured more than 2000.
The official did not say how many suspected terrorists were believed in the country, or whether they made their way into the United States recently or had been there 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 is already being focused on 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.
Earlier today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Michael Garcia said 2300 agents were being deployed to assist in security for the summer's high-profile events. These include as many as 20 agents each day working with the Secret Service to protect the campaigns of President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.
Mr Garcia said his agency was also working to "tighten the investigative system" to ensure terrorists did not enter the United States by way of human smuggling operations or through the vast, largely unprotected border with Canada.
Okay...so we can expect once again to see the color change on the Homeland Security threat level while at the same time being told by Ridge, Ashcroft and the rest of the administration to "go about your business as usual."
Grand. And here I thought this was going to be a dull summer...
You got a better plan, or are you just blowing smoke?
--Boot Hill
I wonder if this intelligence came from those poor abused prisoners in Iraq.
Start shooting every middle east looking human?
This current awareness system bites.
My take: if we're under threat, we should bloody well act like it. This "act normal" nonsense is positively schizoid in light of the situation.
How does one "act like it"? Is that your "better plan"?
--Boot Hill
LOL, now there's a plan! So what would you propose that would be a better plan?
--Boot Hill
How do you think the Brits carried on under far worse conditions during WWII? You keep your eyes open and get on with your life :)
Jeesh! You would think, wouldn't you, that people have this figured out by now? What else CAN we do but go on as normally as we possibly can? What would you change, not knowing what to change?
Get serious...
Got any friends or relatives who served during WWII? Trust me, they could help you put this in perspective :)
Eeek! Sorry, you were agreeing with me, weren't you? Pardon me, I've yet to take my brain out of neutral this morning.
They are here. I'm sure of it. But Hey, Don't worry. J Effin K, should he be elected, will use his vast military experience to zap those lil ole terrorists. He will keep them away forever with a Warm And Fuzzy plea for mercy! Oh, and I'm sure he will apologize for the atrocities committed by our troops! And tell Alqueda that actually he was only for the war briefly, just before he was against it. Hey, you'd be suprised at the strategic planning ability of a War Hero boat commander. He'll just pop a shot of Botox save America.
Put the 9/11 Commission on this right away. They were able to predict (in retrospect) the 9/11 attacks from intelligence reports prior to 9/11. Give them our intelligence, and in a matter of days, they will tell us when, where and how the attacks will take place, allowing us to take preventive action. Phew! That was close!! /sarcasm.
hanoi john will personally protect eac and everyone of us as soon as we give our guns to hum.
FYI.
.....that IS my plan, BH!
Yep, I was agreeing with you. No offense taken, It's early :)
Good call, but first you'll have to get them out of the green rooms of all the cable TV news shows!
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.