Posted on 05/20/2003 9:24:29 PM PDT by FairOpinion
Heightened Alert Administration Increases Terror Threat-Warning Level to Orange; E-mails Cited
May 20— The Bush administration raised the domestic threat level to orange, or "high," today, a decision made in part because of a series of threatening messages found on the Internet, ABCNEWS has learned.
An FBI bulletin obtained by ABCNEWS points to two recent e-mails intercepted by U.S. intelligence. One message, according to the bulletin, warns of "a possible devastating attack in the next 48 hours and urged all Muslims to leave all cities, especially Boston, New York and the commercial coastline."
However, one government official said intelligence analysts have serious doubts about the credibility of the source of those messages.
A separate message targets Washington and again points to possible attacks against New York and the nation's beaches.
The nation's terror-alert status was yellow — the third level, signifying "elevated." Orange is the fourth level, and red is the fifth and highest level.
In New York City, site of the deadliest attack on Sept. 11, 2001, officials announced earlier today that they were heightening security measures.
"We're concerned about some of the information that is coming to us," said New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. The information was nonspecific, but was enough to spark an increase in Operation Atlas, the city's ongoing security program, he said.
He said uniformed and plainclothes officers were being added at sensitive locations, and more checks would be conducted at the city's bridges and tunnels.
In raising the national threat level, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge encouraged governors and mayors to deploy additional police. Ridge "particularly discussed with them the venues in which there will be large public gatherings" during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, said Asa Hutchinson, Ridge's undersecretary for border and transportation security, while announcing the decision in Washington.
While officials said there is not credible, specific information with respect to targets or method of attack, Ridge said in a written statement that recent attacks overseas underscore terrorists' desires to attack soft targets with methods such as suicide bombers or car bombs. "Weapons of mass destruction, including those containing chemical, biological or radiological agents or materials, cannot be discounted," he said.
FAA to Issue Some Restrictions
In wake of the heightened terror alert level, the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday is expected to issue a notice restricting some flights. The new restrictions will include:
A ban on flying over sporting events.
The suspension of some of the waivers that were granted to allow flights for aerial photography, crop-dusting, surveillance and banner towing in selected airpaths over the Washington area.
The return of restrictions on small planes coming into the three general aviation airports in the Washington area. Pilots will have to fly to an airport in Tipton, Md., for security screening before they can proceed to one of the three affected airports.
For now, the FAA will not reinstitute the flight restrictions over New York that were put in place during the last code orange alert.
Ripples Around the World
The move to code orange follows bombings in Morocco and Saudi Arabia that killed more than 70 people, and warnings by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security that al Qaeda is still in business and could be planning attacks in the United States or overseas.
In its bulletin, the FBI said today there is reason to believe the "Saudi Arabia and Morocco attacks [are] a possible prelude to U.S. attacks," according to law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity.
In a previous bulletin issued on Friday to law enforcement agencies, the FBI warned that al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden's terror network, "remains active and highly capable." The deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia last week suggested al Qaeda could launch new attacks in the United States and overseas, the agency said.
The U.S. government has warned consulates in the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southeast Asia that an attack might be imminent. ABCNEWS has learned that the information comes from foreign intelligence agencies, informants, and intercepts of telephone conversations and e-mails of suspected al Qaeda members.
The United States is specifically concerned that al Qaeda may try to crash a plane into a U.S. consulate — or attack airliners and tanker ships in East Africa, sources said.
The latest warnings came a day after Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, said he believed the suicide bombers who struck in Riyadh last week were planning another, larger attack.
The warnings of possibly imminent terror attacks caused Western officials around the world to take precautions.
The United States and Britain said they were temporarily closing their embassies and other missions in Saudi Arabia as of Wednesday because of possible imminent attacks.
Terror Alerts
The terror alert was last raised from "yellow" to "orange" on March 17, immediately after President Bush announced that he was giving Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq and go into exile or risk a U.S.-led military campaign.
The Bush administration lowered the national terror alert from "high" to "elevated" status on April 16, as the war in Iraq wound down.
The threat level also was elevated to orange for two weeks last September to coincide with the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and from Feb. 7 to Feb. 27.
President Bush's Homeland Security Council decided to raise the alert during a meeting at the White House, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said. After the session, Bush was informed of the council's decision, which is binding and takes immediate effect, by Chief of Staff Andrew Card at 1:50 p.m. ET.
In his written statement, Ridge recommended that Americans continue with plans for work or leisure and contact their local FBI offices about any suspicious activity.
"Your vigilance at large public events or other locations where crowds gather can help us disrupt terrorists' plans," he said.
ABCNEWS' Pierre Thomas, Mary Walsh, Beverley Lumpkin and Lisa Stark contributed to this report.
Wow. Think their mayors will get counsel from Daley and destroy all their downtown airports tonight?
Snort! Naw, they are getting the casinos this time!
(...blood draining from face...) My eight year old is going on a field trip downtown for a skyline boat tour. Entire third grade. Thanks in advance for any prayers.
Bingo! As annoying as it may be having to do so, being able to read between the lines when politicians speak, is an asset that can be VERY useful!
The angels will watch over him! I do not 'feel' it is chicago in that way, if at all right now. My concern has been the West Coast, with the easy entries.
Here are excerpts from posts off that message board, in chronological order. I have added the bold for emphasis.
Thread title:
* an urgent is a killing hit danger against America a next to the Allah wanted - during 48 hour * *
To Bush and to the American intelligences and from and the concern from the hypocrites¡¡¡ the next hit to the Allah during 48 wanted the next hour¡¡¡¡ and to the Allah wanted that will convulse your heart¡¡¡¡¡ and beg from all of the Moslem of the remoteness about the main cities in the United States and Nioriork specially¡¡¡ Washington¡¡¡ and about the commercial beaches and the Allah know .
My interpretation: A terrorist strike is planned in the next 48 hours. Moslems are encouraged to leave the major US cities, especially New York, Washington, and the commercial beaches.
No postponement
My interpretation: The strikes have not been postponed, and are to continue on schedule.
Remainder 24 hour
My interpretation: The strikes are now within 24 hours and/or have been moved up a day (from 48 hours to 24 hours).
The figures hideaway and her secret we know her to the Allah and the iodine of her knowledge wanted these
My interpretation: Iodine is given to patients suffering from radiation poisoning.
A note : he to each Moslem avoided the American existence areas from the complexes inside and outside the countries Alslamia and especially in America.
My interpretation: Moslems are encouraged to avoid areas where Americans concentrate, both in Saudia Arabia and America... "the complexes" = Western compounds in Saudia Arabia and/or apartment complexes in the US.
A possible is a perfume we perish to the commercial markets in Riyadh City
My interpretation: Distribution of some chem/bio contaminant via a commercial distribution method... such as purfume spritzers in commercial markets, shopping malls, etc.
Your interpretations may vary. :-)
In my previous post, I misinterpreted the 48-hours vs. 24-hours issue...
On the website where these posts are made, the "48 hour" post was made on May 19. The "24 hours remaining" post was made on May 20.
I misinterpreted it because I failed to realize they were posted on subsequent days. So, if this is a signal, then it indicates that the attack is still on schedule, as indicated by the "no postponement" post, followed by the "remainder 24 hour" post (both made on May 20).
Hoping I'm wrong... but if not... then Wednesday the 21st is the day. Keep alert, and stay safe!
"Bring it on, Muhammed! America double-dog-dares-ya'!"
Wait until you sandpunks see what President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and the United States Armed Forces have it store for you next...should you decide to tango with an increasingly short-tempered United States.
Don't give in to irrational fear, it's what they want.
~ Blue Jays ~
Yep...and I live right by the beach here. So, if al Qaeda lets loose a biological/radiological/chemical attack on the Los Angeles area from the sea...well, been nice knowin' you folks and all that...
Of course, if al Qaeda tries to make some sort of landing on our shores, I'll be more than happy to show them some good old-fashioned genuine Yankee hospitality by meeting them at the shore with my guns. ;)
"Howdy Osama...you're gonna look real good on the trophy wall in mah den." *BOOM* "Don't run!" *BOOM* "DON'T RUN!" *BOOM*BOOM*
-Jay
Almost always Ant ;(
Amen to that. I think Han Solo said it best:
"Bring 'em on. I prefer a fight to all this sneakin' around."
Cheers!
-Jay
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.