Feds Hear 'Chatter' of 9/11 Proportions

Dec. 22, 2003
By James Gordon Meek
Daily News Washington Bureau

Mounted police officers are on duty at Rockefeller Center, which, like other tourist attractions, bridges, tunnels, subways and financial and religious fixtures, will get extra security. WASHINGTON - The United States was thrown back into high alert for the holidays yesterday as the feds warned that terrorists may be planning attacks that "rival or exceed" 9/11.

The worrisome chatter intercepted by the nation's terror hunters is "perhaps greater now than at any point since Sept. 11, 2001," said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

Worse, the fears involve the possible use of weapons of mass destruction, top U.S. sources have told the Daily News.

"The information we have indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will either rival or exceed the attacks that occurred in New York and the Pentagon and the fields of Pennsylvania," Ridge said.

The disturbing news, coming just four days before Christmas, had authorities from New York to Chicago and San Francisco scrambling to boost security.

While New York is mentioned in almost every threat picked up by intelligence agencies, this time the threat may be stronger elsewhere, senior U.S. officials told The News.

The sources said "soft targets," particularly unguarded areas in Washington, Los Angeles and other cities, have been mentioned and that the strikes would be simultaneous.

"There is great concern that Al Qaeda is planning spectacular attacks here," said a well-placed intelligence source. "Threat reports indicate that Al Qaeda operatives believe something big is in the offing."

Ridge said Al Qaeda "continues to consider using aircraft as a weapon." But The News has learned officials fear more than just hijackings this time. The "high threat environment" is also rooted in grim fears that terrorists might use chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons.

A State Department "worldwide caution" to Americans traveling abroad also warns that "Al Qaeda will strive for new attacks ... possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents."

Suspects arrested in connection with recent bombings in Turkey have said Al Qaeda continues to train pilots outside the United States.

Authorities also are concerned about dams, bridges, nuclear plants, chemical facilities and other public works.

This is the fifth time the nation's threat level has been raised from yellow to orange since the system made its debut in March 2002 - and the fourth time this year.

It comes one week after the nation celebrated the capture of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and President Bush declared, "The fact that [Saddam] is gone means America is a safer country."

The Bush administration previously called for an orange alert after the CIA warned in February of imminent attacks, which never materialized. Other alerts came as the U.S. went to war with Iraq in March and then last May, following bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

Terrorism experts note that attacks often come soon after Al Qaeda releases threatening tapes, such as a new audiotape aired last week from Osama Bin Laden's second-in-command, Ayman Al-Zawahiri.

"Something got [U.S. officials] riled this time," said terrorism researcher Steven Emerson, who spoke to federal agents yesterday. "There's a lot of hesitancy to ratchet it up given the flak they got over the previous alerts."

Nation's fifth case of jitters

Yesterday's increase to Code Orange was the fifth time since the color-coded alert system was instituted in March 2002 that the nation has shifted into high alert. The others were:

Sept. 10, 2002 - The uptick came on the eve of the first anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Officials feared attacks on American interests overseas. Returned to Yellow on Sept. 24.

Feb. 7, 2003 - Timed to the hajj, a Muslim religious period, Code Orange returned because of fears of an Al Qaeda attack in the U.S. or abroad. Returned to Yellow on Feb. 27.

March 17, 2003 - Nation was put on Code Orange until April 16, timed to the start of the war on Iraq.

May 20, 2003 — Fears spiked after suicide bombings in Morocco and Saudi Arabia that killed 75 people. Alert level lowered on May 30.
ng Resources

http://nydailynews.com/front/story/148326p-130848c.html