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Nation Braces for Possible Terror Attack
Thursday, February 13, 2003
WASHINGTON — Terror attack precautions were being taken nationwide Wednesday, one day after a new audio message attributed to Usama bin Laden urged Iraqis to stage homicide attacks against Americans.
Meanwhile, a report surfaced Wednesday of a new audio recording by Usama bin Laden in which the Al Qaeda leader purportedly predicts his own death in an unspecified act of "martyrdom" against the United States.
Al-Ansaar, a British-based Islamic news agency, said it believed the 53-minute tape, allegedly recorded earlier this month and acquired from an unidentified man on the Internet, was a carefully worded last will and testament from bin Laden.
U.S. counterterrorism officials said they were reviewing a transcript of the tape but could not verify its authenticity without hearing the actual recording.
CIA Director George Tenet told the Senate Armed Services Committee he is worried that the previous bin Laden message is a prelude to a strike.
"He's obviously raising the confidence of his people. He's obviously exhorting them to do more," Tenet said. "What he's said is often followed by an attack."
In New York, hospitals were placed on high alert based on government intelligence of a potential threat, naming cyanide as the specific terror agent.
NYU Medical Center's Chief Medical Officer Eric Rackow wrote in a staff memo Wednesday that the hospital was taking all necessary precautions.
"NYU is working to ensure that we have adequate levels of the proper antidotes and pharmaceutical agents to treat patients should they be exposed to cyanide," Rackow wrote.
The weekly FBI bulletin circulated to 17,000 law enforcement agencies urged police to be extra vigilant for possible chemical, biological and radiological attacks. The bulletin asked local officials to consult a CIA handbook on how to respond to dangerous substances should such an attack occur.
In addition, the National Infrastructure Protection Center, which assesses and warns about threats to critical U.S. infrastructure, issued an advisory describing a heightened chance of global computer hacking as tensions increase with Iraq.
The U.S. remained under a Code Orange "high risk" of attack status for a sixth day, and no change was in sight.
Counterterrorism officials said the level of threat information pointing to an imminent attack remained high, but steady.
FBI personnel assigned to rapid response teams that would react to any terrorist attacks have been told to have a bag packed for three days' deployment and put on standby.
Anti-aircraft missiles guarded Washington's skies and Capitol police were told to carry gas masks at all times. They are in a small, handheld black knapsack about six inches long. Every officer has them, including those in plainclothes who provide security for leaders and in the congressional chambers.
White House security was not noticeably tighter but presidential aides said they were spooked by the intelligence and felt more vulnerable than they had since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Many were taking the government's advice, socking away water and food at home and making plans to meet up with family in the event of an attack.
Precautions were taken throughout the federal government. For example:
-- Food safety officials were put on heightened alert but were told the threat did not involve food, said Agriculture Department spokesman Steven Cohen.
-- Nuclear power plant operators were issued reminders of precautions they should take under a Code Orange.
-- The Interior Department's Bureau of Reclamation has increased security at its 58 hydroelectric dams and 348 reservoirs that serve 31 million people in 17 Western states. Precautions include limiting access, closing visitors centers and some roads and conducting random vehicle inspections at some facilities.
To prepare for a potential chemical or biological attack, the Federal Emergency Management Agency advises Americans on its Web site to purchase battery-powered radios, duct tape, scissors and plastic sheeting to cover doors, windows and vents. The agency also suggests stocking up on food and drinking water.
Citizens apparently were paying attention. Hardware stores and food clubs were reporting an increase in sales. And stores like Home Depot were bringing in more supplies to meet the demand.
"If given the choice, Al Qaeda terrorists will choose attacks that achieve multiple objectives, striking prominent landmarks, inflicting mass casualties, causing economic disruption and rallying support through shows of strength," Tenet said.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the tape linked to bin Laden was evidence that Saddam and Al Qaeda are linked.
"This is the nightmare that people have warned about, the linking up of Iraq with Al Qaeda," Fleischer said, denouncing what he called "an unholy partnership."
Fox News' Heather Nauert and The Associated Press contributed to this report