"Serious" threat of major terrorist attacks on US and Europe. The FBI is planning to announce today that there is a "serious threat" of a major
terrorist attack on the United States and/or US interests (and perhaps European nations/interests as well) sometime this summer.
This threat is especially disconcerting as it is said to be accompanied by a great deal of corraborative evidence. There is concern about potentially
"high-profile" targets such as the Olympics, the WWII memorial dedication this weekend in Washington D.C., or presidential conventions.
Fox News Story
Counterterrorism and law enforcement officials told Fox News Tuesday that they are extremely concerned that terrorist groups like Al Qaeda
(search) may be planning an attack during one of the major events scheduled for this summer.
The comments came after a think tank study revealed that despite the elimination of several key figures, Al Qaeda still has a functioning leadership,
over 18,000 potential terrorists in its global network and a swelling membership thanks to the war in Iraq. "There is significant concern," one
counterterrorism official told Fox News.
The intelligence was described Tuesday by another senior counterterrorism official on condition of anonymity as extremely credible and backed by an
unusually high level of corroboration.
U.S. officials have obtained new intelligence deemed highly credible indicating al-Qaida or other terrorists are in the United States and preparing to
launch a major attack this summer, The Associated Press has learned.
The intelligence does not include a time, place or method of attack but is among the most disturbing received by the government since the attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001, according to a senior federal counterterrorism official who spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday.
Of most concern, the official said, is that terrorists may possess and use a chemical, biological or radiological weapon that could cause much more
damage and casualties than a conventional bomb.
"There is clearly a steady drumbeat of information that they are going to attack and hit us hard," said the official, who described the intelligence
as highly credible.
Other Links
Washington Post
San Francisco Chronicle
BBC News
Reuters
New York
Times
Officials are asking the public to help with the "profiling" of potential attackers in the D.C. area this weekend during the memorial day
ceremonies. Other cities are asking people to be on the lookout for suspicious persons of all types, but especially those with bulky clothing,
trailing electrical wires, smelling of chemicals, etc.
Related Link
Bloomberg News
This is scary stuff! It is frightening that Al Qaeda is suspected to have 18,000+ fighters available to them worldwide. That's a lot of people who
can do a lot of damage. I'll be hanging out at home this weekend. Just me and my cheeseburgers.
[Edited on 5-27-2004 by Valhall]
