Posted on 03/18/2003 3:34:42 PM PST by Indy Pendance
March 18 — With the nation back on high alert and officials warning that terrorists may already be planning major new attacks, ABCNEWS has learned the government will begin detaining dozens of suspected Saddam Hussein sympathizers in at least five U.S. cities this week.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge today cited the danger of attacks by Iraqi agents in the United States and overseas when he announced the national threat level was moving from yellow, or "elevated," to orange, which means "high."
"Iraqi state agents, Iraqi surrogate groups, other regional extremist organizations and ad hoc groups, disgruntled individuals may use this time period to conduct terrorist attacks against the United States and our interests either here or abroad," Ridge warned.
In a bulletin obtained by ABCNEWS, the FBI said Iraqi agents have the expertise to "construct sophisticated improvised explosive devices."
Iraqi agents are also "inconsistently competent" at a variety of terrorist tactics, the alert said, including "assassinations, armed assaults, hijackings, kidnappings, and bombings."
Al Qaeda ‘Probably Preparing Attacks’
The FBI alert — which was sent to thousands of law enforcement agencies around the country — also warned that Osama bin Laden has used the possibility of a U.S. war with Iraq as a rallying cry for terrorist attacks. It said al Qaeda could use an attack to claim it was defending Muslims in Iraq against the United States.
The alert warns that al Qaeda is probably preparing new offensives that could include chemical and radiological attacks, according to sources who revealed the bulletin to ABCNEWS.
"The U.S. intelligence community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S.-led military campaign against Saddam Hussein," it says.
"Al Qaeda may be in the last stages of planning for large-scale attacks," it says. "There are many recent indications this planning includes the use of chemical, biological, and/or radiological materials."
It cites the recent discovery of traces of the toxin ricin — an easily made poison for which there is no cure — in a London apartment linked to terror suspects, as well as evidence of al Qaeda's interest in cyanide and other poison gases, and so-called dirty bombs.
"Al Qaeda's interest in cyanide and other poisonous gases, and reporting that the group would use them in enclosed spaces, suggests the group may attempt to employ such weapons in buildings or in aircraft or in subway or railway cars," the bulletin says.
Much of the alert echoes language used by Ridge in announcing the nation's elevated threat level, and the plan to keep the nation safe, dubbed "Operation Liberty Shield." It and Ridge cite reports in recent months of suspicious activity around military facilities, ports, waterways, bridges and American symbols and landmarks.
"The intelligence community expects al Qaeda to attack targets that offer the best combination of mass casualties, symbolism, economic damage, and psychological impact," the bulletin warns.
Disrupted But Still Deadly
Although intelligence officials believe the capture March 1 of senior al Qaeda leader Khalid Shaikh Mohammed could seriously undermine the terrorist network, al Qaeda operatives may have well-developed plans that are ready to be launched. These operations may have already received approval and funding from the group's leadership.
"There is the certainty that terrorists will attempt to launch a multiple attacks," said Cofer Black, a State Department counterterrorism coordinator and former CIA official.
Ridge announced today that security measures would be stepped up at borders, ports, airports, oil and nuclear facilities, among other possible targets of terrorist attack.
"Because of these very comprehensive, very coordinated efforts, America is ready," Ridge said.
Officials will also take additional steps to safeguard financial institutions and government computer networks and to prevent tampering or contamination in the food industry.
Ridge also warned of terror threats from Iraqis and others inspired by an attack on Iraq.
Asylum-seekers from Iraq and 33 other countries will be held for background checks under the new measures — a step defended by Ridge today.
Unprecedented Precautions, From the White House to Beverly Hills
Under "Operation Liberty Shield," several federal agencies are taking new precautions, among them:
Increased security is present at potential targets around the country. Some streets in Beverly Hills, Calif., have been shut down. Flight restrictions have been imposed over cities including Washington and New York City, and also over Disneyland and Disneyworld. Around-the-clock armed guards are watching over some synagogues.
Every "high-interest" vessel arriving or departing from American ports will have armed Coast Guard sea marshals on board, closely watching the ship's crew and ensuring that it makes its port call safely. The Coast Guard will enforce security zones in and around critical infrastructure sites in key ports. The agency has recently called up 3,000 reservists to help the operation.
In the nation's capital, White House tours have been suspended and pedestrian traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue has been banned.
More agents and patrol units will be monitoring borders and Customs officials will increase screenings of vehicles.
State governors have been asked to provide more police and National Guard forces at select bridges and railroad companies will be asked to increase security measures at major facilities and rail hubs. Private railroad companies will also monitor shipments of hazardous materials.
The Department of Agriculture is urging producer companies to increase its security measures, inspect all vehicles and monitor all visitors to their facilities.
From Orange to Yellow to Orange
The alert level was first raised to orange or high alert on Feb. 7 and was lowered to yellow or "elevated" on Feb. 27, in part because of the end of the Muslim hajj holiday. High alert also prompts additional security measures at public events, restricted access to some facilities, and increased coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
That alert prompted anxious Americans to stock up on water, food and supplies such as duct tape, to seal off rooms in case of a chemical attack.
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