By LARA JAKES JORDAN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON
The FBI interviewed a Milwaukee resident Thursday who
officials believe was involved in posting Internet
threats about dirty bomb attacks on NFL football
stadiums this weekend. The threats appeared to be phony.
The person, described only as a young adult, did not
appear to have any ties to terrorist groups, according
to a Washington law enforcement official who spoke on
condition of anonymity because the investigation was
ongoing.
In Milwaukee, FBI spokesman Richard K. Ruminski said the
"individual has come forward and provided information
about the posting of the threat against the NFL
stadiums. The U.S. government still believes this threat
is non-credible."
"As this is an ongoing matter, we will not provide
any additional information at this time," Ruminski said
in a statement.
The threats about radioactive bombs, posted on a Web
site a week ago, were not backed up by intelligence
indicating such an attack might be imminent, according
to the FBI and the Homeland Security Department.
Homeland Security on Wednesday alerted the NFL and
authorities in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle,
Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, saying they were acting
"out of an abundance of caution."
Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke on Wednesday
said the threat was viewed "with strong skepticism."
Still, the agency contacted the National Football
League, local authorities and stadium owners. Also
notified was the National Collegiate Athletic
Association.
The online posting, dated Oct. 12, was part of an
ongoing conversation titled "New Attack on America Be
Afraid." It appeared on a Web site, that links to
various online forums and off- color cartoons. The
site's Internet provider declined to comment.
The message said trucks would deliver radiological bombs
to stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle
, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland _ and that al-Qaida
leader Osama bin Laden would claim responsibility.
A dirty bomb would use conventional explosives to
scatter radioactive material. Such a blast probably
would not cause many deaths, experts say, but the fear
of contamination could spark panic. Land and buildings
hit with radioactive particles might be unusable for
years.
Authorities traced the site's Internet provider to Voxel
Dot Net Inc., which has support and engineering staff
based in Troy, N.Y. A man who answered the phone at
Voxel Wednesday declined to give his name, said he was
unaware of the posted threat and refused further comment.
The author of the threats, posted at 9:31 p.m. EDT on
Oct. 12, identified himself online as "javness."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said stadiums are
well-protected through "comprehensive security
procedures" that include bag searches and pat- downs.
Officials were made aware of the Web posting on Monday.
The threat was time for Sunday, marking the final day in
Mecca of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month.
A copy of the posting said: "The death toll will
approach 100,000 from the initial blasts and countless
other fatalities will later occur as result from
radioactive fallout."
It said al-Qaida automatically would receive blame for
the nearly simultaneous attacks, and predicted, "Later,
through Al-Jazeera, Osama bin Laden will issue a video
message claiming responsibility for what he dubbed
'America's Hiroshima.'"
The posting noted that all of the stadiums cited, with
the exception of Atlanta's, are open-air arenas. "Due
to the open air, the radiological fallout will destroy
those not killed in the initial explosion." The
retractable roof in Houston has been closed for all
games this season.
In Indianapolis, where the Colts were preparing for a
home game this weekend, head coach Tony Dungy said,
"I've been waiting for this to happen for a couple of
years now and you try and handle the security and put it
out of your mind." http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/10/19/D8KRP5CO0.html