Posted on 02/07/2003 5:54:29 AM PST by JohnHuang2
WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department yesterday issued a new worldwide terror alert warning citizens of the high potential for use of chemical and biological weapons.
The State Department said it was issuing the new warning "to remind U.S. citizens of the need to remain vigilant due to a heightened threat of terrorist actions that may target civilians, including the possibility of attacks by non-conventional weapons."
The government urged Americans to be prepared for emergency evacuations and there was consideration by national security officials of raising their threat assessment level to the second highest – orange – citing indications of plans for a "major attack" by terrorists as early as next week.
Homeland Security Department officials say the level of concern is now at its highest since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks – in part because of the impending war with Iraq.
U.S. intelligence officials say they have intercepted a steadily rising number of conversations among suspected members and sympathizers of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network. They say some reports suggest attacks around the time of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca known as the Hajj, which takes place next week.
The worldwide caution from the State Department is the first issued since Nov. 20 and it specifically mentioned the possibility of "attacks by non-conventional weapons."
The warning came a day after Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the U.N. Security Council that Iraq is pursuing chemical and biological weapons programs and might share such arms with terrorists. It also follows a series of arrests in Europe of people suspected of planning chemical attacks.
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