Britain Warns of Possible Pre-Christmas Terror Attack

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 11, 2002

Britain Warns of Possible Pre-Christmas Terror Attack

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Britain on Sunday called on public to be vigilant against a possible terror attack in the weeks before Christmas, saying the level of danger was the same as it was in the aftermath of last year's Sept. 11 attacks.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said Britain was "in the front line" because of its strong support for US action against the militant al-Qaeda group, suspected of carrying out last year's Sept. 11 attacks.

No government could provide absolute protection from determinedopponents, he warned.

"We cannot guarantee that we can protect everyone...all the time. All of us have got to be vigilant coming up to Christmas andthe New Year," Blunkett told BBC Television.

"The message is this: We will do everything we can to protect Britain. We need the vigilance of everyone around us, particularlyat major airports and those particular gathering points where people know there is a risk," he said.

Blunkett's comments came two days after his department warned of intelligence reports indicating that the al-Qaeda and cells associated to it were engaged on a "continuing, evolving pattern of terrorist activity".

Shortly after the terrorist attacks last year in the United States, British media reports predicted that extreme militants might try to develop a dirty bomb or poison gas, and could use boats or trains in their next major attack, rather than planes, and Britain might be a target.

Blunkett's remarks came after warnings from senior U.S. officials about the threat from the al-Qaeda.

Reports here said the warning might be reinforced by Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday.

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