Ashcroft Warns of Attacks

msnbc.com ^ | Oct. 29 2001 | MSNBC’s Jonathan Dube, NBC News’ Bob Windrem andThe Associated Press and Reuters

[Lady GOP]

— Attorney General John Ashcroft warned Monday that the FBI has received information about possible attacks “within the United States and against United States interests abroad within the next week.” He didn’t give details on what the planned attacks might be, but asked Americans and law enforcement officials to be on their highest guard. The alert was similar to one issued on Oct. 11, in which the FBI said it had gathered “certain information” that additional terrorism attacks could occur within days. None did.

ASHCROFT SAYS the new warning is believed to be “credible,” and as a result the Justice Department has issued a “terrorist threat advisory” to 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the country, urging them to be on high alert for possible terrorism.

While the information investigators received indicated the time frame of the possible attacks, it did not include specific details as to where or what they might be.

When asked by reporters if this warning was believed to be more credible than the Oct. 11 warning, Ashcroft would only repeat his earlier words, “We believe this threat is credible.”

A senior U.S. official told NBC News that Monday’s warning is based on “new information” developed by U.S. intelligence that is different from what led to the Oct. 11 warning.

Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller asked Americans to report any suspicious activity, and to be understanding if they encounter tighter security measures. “We urge Americans in the course of their normal activities to remain alert and to report unusual circumstances and inappropriate behavior to the appropriate authorities,” Ashcroft said.

Earlier Monday, President Bush was asked if the government has information that Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is planning a second wave of attacks against the United States, and said, “We believe that the country must stay on alert, that our enemies still hate us,” Bush said. “Our enemies have no values that regard life as precious. They’re active, and therefore, we’re constantly in touch with our law enforcement officials to be prepared.”

But Bush urged people not to halt their usual activities. “The American public must go about their lives. I understand it’s a fine balance,” Bush said.

CLOSER POLICE LINKS
Also earlier in the day, Mueller acknowledged that some FBI agents have wrongly turned down offers of police help with the Sept. 11 investigation and pledged to intensify cooperation with police on the largest terrorism case in U.S. history.

Addressing a gathering of the International Association of Police Chiefs in Toronto, Mueller spoke of expanding anti-terror task forces around the United States and said he and Ashcroft had been working closely with police representatives to “explore ways to improve relations.”

“I learned that in some cases, the FBI was turning away your offers of help. This is unacceptable,” Mueller said to resounding applause from police representing forces in all 50 states, Canada and Europe.

Police officials at the annual gathering have voiced frustration over the sometimes-difficult relationships between the law enforcement agencies.

At a seminar Monday on reacting to terrorist attacks, Mike Berkow, chief of the Irvine, Calif., police department, mentioned a case in which his officials sought information from the CIA about a suspect with possible international links. When Berkow added that the response was unhelpful, the roomful of police chiefs erupted in a knowing chuckle.

[Lady GOP]

The media will look for that chance to down Bush and Jews. Weve got to be fair to the Palestinians chopping up people.

[Ronin]

I think the terrorists are using Psy-ops against us. Just the threat of a major attack is enough to cause us to expend resources and energy in moving to counter it. Cheaper too.

This war of nerves is going to continue until we cut the head off the snake.

[cgbg]

My two cents on this warning:

Bin Ladin's MO is "if at first you don't succeed, try, try, again."

WTC '93, then'01 is one example. Another is plane that was supposed to hit the WH, another Congress, then anthrax to the Capitol.

Other targets that failed on 9/11 probably were: SF, Transamerica Tower: Chicago, Hancock Tower, and I am guessing another NYC site (Empire State Bldg.?, Stock Exchange?)

Remember that Egyptian fundamentalist article about NY, Chicago, "California", which I read as Hollywood?

Also, look at other anthrax targets in NYC, DC, and (the weird one) south Florida. So, my guess is these places mentioned would be the likely targets for future attacks.

Most have large Arab populations in the metro area as a pool of "talent". fwiw

[Lady GOP]

Ashcroft knows a lot more is going on behind the scenes than he can say. Also heard that a US Embassy in Peru was sent anthrax. These attacks are going beyond what Bin Laden and co are capable of. Theyd have trouble even finding where to send it. There is someone else behind it, Iraq Russia etc.

[dmcnash]

Satan never takes a holiday.

[Dog Gone]

I don't recall exactly when the anthrax letters were mailed. My recollection is that it was about a week after WTC. Perhaps somebody else does.

We have had several warnings. It's kind of sad, but they are all starting to blend together into a hazy memory of crop dusters, missing hazmat trucks, etc.

The anthrax letters didn't do their damage for nearly a month, which is amazing by itself.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

How YOU can assist/support HOMELAND DEFENSE


FBI Website

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Call the FBI Toll Free at 1-866-483-5137
if you see or hear anything that threatens our national security.

America's Most Wanted website

The US State Department Rewards for Justice Program
was established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, Public Law 98-533.
Under the Rewards Program, cooperating individuals and their immediate family members
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[dixiechick2000]

Anyone remember the agencies/departments that Ashcroft specifically mentioned as being on high alert?

Gotta go fix dinner, but will be back later. Thanks in advance.

[rwfromkansas]

Whatever Ashcroft. Maybe there will be, but the terrorists have waited a long time to launch any response. Makes me wonder if they have the guts or ability. That said...folks, BE CAREFUL ON HALLOWEEN.

[rwfromkansas]

Interesting theory...

[Sabertooth]

Some were, certainly. But how many verified anthrax letters do we have, vs. the number of buildings where anthrax has been detected?

I strongly doubt we've found all of the sources of anthrax.

[woofie]

Not to be alarmist...I spent time this weekend with a person working on the bio terrorism threat...their take is that the stuff(anthrax) is very bad stuff and the fear is that what we have seen so far (in the mailing of the anthrax)is only a warning....If they go around dumping it in a major city....(It would only take 10 lbs of it) we could be looking at 100,000 deaths...a very sobering thought

[CWRWinger]

It would be very helpful if the FBI shared information with the local police and sheriffs' departments by providing names and addresses, etc.

I haven't heard anything on how the anthrax envelopes are filled and delivered to a P.O. or box. If we had a better idea of what to look for, it would help. I'm sure the perpetrators don't walk into a P.O. in a hazmat suit.

[yikes]

Congratulations! Your thread has elicited serious and semi-serious responses. In the other threads, posters are acting like juveniles auditioning for Comedy Central. What a bunch of oafs!

[tomkat]

perhaps i'm being uncharitably suspicious,
but do you know something that we don't ??

FUSSBALL

member since September 14th, 2001

if i'm just being paranoid,
please accept my apology, and welcome to FR.

[Clinton's a rapist]

Uh, yeah. They have the keys to the kingdom. Anyone still anthrax is a hoot?

[Agent Smith]

I am a decent poker player, and my reaction to Ashcroft's demeanor and body language was the same as yours. His deep breathing just prior to starting his statement was very telling, IMHO.

The current threat is much more serious/dangerous than anything to date. A suitcase nuke on the loose in the USA was the level of concern that I detected.

[Tacis]

My bet is that there will be suicide bombers, as in Israel, muslim crazies living and trained in New Jersey in the same town that the blind pig in jail lived in. They may be the same cab drivers that helped the hijackers or just young Saudi, Egyptian, Syrian, or Iraqi students lusting after their 72 virgins. The explosives came across the Mexican border by the ton and were imported into New York City in the diplomatic pouches of muslim delegates to the UN. I certainly hope the FBI didn't stop watching UN bad guys when the Soviet Union quit and Willie needed lots of FBI support to keep his files on the Republicans current.

We will have to take a serious look at rounding up possible muslim problems. There should be no problem about deporting any alien here without proper credentials. And, we must seal the borders!