US Official: Specific Intelligence Leads to Higher Terror Alert

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 11, 2002

US Official: Specific Intelligence Leads to Higher Terror Alert

US Attorney General John Ashcroft said in Washington Tuesday that "specific intelligence on specific attacks on U.S. interests overseas" has prompted the country to raise the terror alert level.

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US Attorney General John Ashcroft said in Washington Tuesday that "specific intelligence on specific attacks on U.S. interests overseas" has prompted the country to raise the terror alert level.

On the eve of the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration Tuesday raised the nation's terror alert warning from code yellow to code orange, itssecond highest level signaling a "high risk" of attack.

It was the first time the terror alert level was raised in the United States since March when the warning system was introduced.

Since March, the government had kept the warning at code yellow,signifying an elevated condition of alert and a significant risk of terrorist attacks.

Ashcroft said the decision to change the warning level was madebased on information indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against US targets.

"New information and analysis of intelligence lead us to make the change," he said while announcing the government decision at apress conference together with Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller.

He said most of the information being gathered by US intelligence agencies suggests that an overseas target is more likely.

Questioning of a senior al-Qaida operative has revealed that there may be terror attacks timed to coincide with the first anniversary of last year's attacks, he said.

He said information indicated that al-Qaida cells in South Asiahave been set up to carry out car bomb attacks and other strikes against US facilities, and they have been gathering explosives since the beginning of the year.

The attorney general said information also indicated that one or more people in the Middle East may be preparing for a suicide attack or multiple attacks against US interests, but there is no specific information about where the attacks might take place.

Ashcroft warned that "symbols of American power and authority" such as embassies, military facilities and national monuments are possible targets.

He urged Americans at home and abroad to stay alert, but he said they should not change their travel plans or cancel their scheduled events because of the warning.

Americans should remain "alert but defiant in the face of this new threat," he said.

Ridge, speaking of the threat at home at the press conference, said "specific protective measures" would be taken by federal agencies as a result of the heightened alert status, including setting up more barriers around federal buildings and more inspections.

Ridge urged Americans to use their common sense and be more alert to possible threats. "Be wary and be mindful," he cautioned.

US embassies in Malaysia and Indonesia were closed because of specific threats about potential terrorist activities.

The warning system has five levels, starting with green -- the lowest level -- and followed by blue, yellow, orange and red. The latter has the highest alert level, indicating a severe threat. Each code triggers specific actions by federal agencies and state and local governments.

US intelligence officials have been saying since the weekend that there has been an increased amount of chatter among al-Qaida sympathizers.

The FBI has issued a security warning on eve of the anniversaryof the Sept. 11 attacks, urging local police, electrical companiesand transportation agencies to stay alert as the nation commemorates the anniversary.

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