At the Department of Justice in Washington, DC today, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced their decision to raise the threat level of a possible terrorist attack from "Elevated" (yellow) to "High" (orange). President Bush was informed of these threats by Ashcroft and Ridge earlier this morning and concurred that the threat level should be raised. Based on intelligence reports received, the threat level was raised for three reasons:
• the potential war with Iraq looming ever closer,
• the heavier-than-normal talk on monitored terror channels,
• intelligence reports that an attack on Americans may happen simultaneously with the annual journey of Muslims to Mecca, which began today.
The belief is that al-Qaeda has increased their efforts to move forward with an attack on Americans, either in the U.S. or abroad, and therefore the threat level increase was a necessary response to these alleged efforts. However, there were no clear-cut, specific targets outlined in the announcement.
Buildings labeled as "soft targets" were mentioned by Ashcroft as places that terrorists might seek out and attack. Among those targets mentioned were hotels, apartment buildings, and other largely populated buildings that are not guarded by heavy security. Economic and symbolic targets were also seen as possible likely places of potential terrorist attacks.
Americans are advised to continue their normal activities, but to take necessary and logical steps to prepare for a possible attack.
Sources: MSNBC-TV, ABCNEWS.com |
