U.S. warns Southeast Asian governments on terrorist truck bombs, says Philippine envoy

AP WorldStream ^ | 9-11-02 | OLIVER TEVES

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MANILA, Philippines, Sep 11, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- The United States has warned Southeast Asian governments that terrorists could use truck bombs to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the Philippine ambassador to Washington.

In an "urgent and confidential" letter sent Tuesday to Foreign Secretary Blas Ople, copies of which were obtained Wednesday by reporters in Manila, Ambassador Albert del Rosario said the warning was relayed by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly.

Del Rosario said Kelly was "directed to contact Southeast Asian ambassadors" in Washington to share information on security and intelligence matters.

He said Kelly told him American intelligence indicated "imminent threats to U.S. embassies."

"Intelligence evaluation indicates that al-Qaida operatives are prepared to launch truck bomb attacks and they are in possession of several tons of ammonium nitrate," he said in the letter to Ople, who is in New York. "The intelligence community considers the information credible."

The attacks could be launched on Sept. 11 or on a later date, depending on security measures, del Rosario quoted Kelly as saying.

Del Rosario said despite the closure of several U.S. embassies in the region, the American Embassy in Manila will remain open but that would depend on the "current situation and will be up to" Ambassador Ricciardone.

Philippine police have tightened security around the seaside embassy.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez has said that the police and military were on "heightened alert" despite "no new concerns" over possible terrorist attacks.