January 6, 2004
Photo: British Airways planes wait on the tarmac at Heathrow Airport in London, January 5, 2004. British Airways resumed flights to Riyadh and its much-delayed service to Washington took to the skies again amid heightened security fears of a September 11-style attack. Photo by David Bebber/Reuters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. officials are giving no hint of lowering the high terror alert as the nation enters the post-holiday period, but they say they're continually evaluating information that still justifies code Orange.
Travel and other industries passed the holiday season without incident. But human intelligence, computerized watch lists and intercepted communications continue to suggest that attacks may be planned, U.S. authorities said Monday in explaining the decision to continue strict security.
The Orange alert, the second-highest of five color-coded threat levels, was announced December 21.
"The threat information is evaluated on daily basis," said Rachel Sunbarger, a Homeland Security spokeswoman. "At this time, the information we have warrants that we remain at a heightened state of alert."
Since the attacks on September 11, 2001, the government has bolstered its human intelligence network, in the process tripling the number of Arabic-speaking analysts and operatives.
A U.S. intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the analysts corroborate information from various sources and compare it with past al-Qaida tactics to assess whether a "disinformation" campaign might be under way to throw off U.S. officials.
Information continues to appear about possible al-Qaida attacks on U.S. interests, and U.S. officials have deemed it credible enough to justify the high alert. Though officials have not disclosed specific threats, they have passed on information that led to cancellations or delays of certain international flights to and from Washington and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, U.S. authorities began a new program Monday aimed at better tracking foreigners arriving at U.S. airports and seaports. Those from many countries were required, beginning Monday, to have their pictures taken and fingerprints scanned.
The program, which uses the latest surveillance technology, allows Customs officials to check passengers instantly against terrorist watch lists and a national criminal database. The procedure requires about 15 seconds per arrival.
The intelligence being picked up by U.S. officials has led to cancellation or delays of 20 international flights.
For a sixth consecutive day Monday, British Airways Flight 223's departure from London to Washington was either canceled or delayed significantly because of security procedures. Around 200 passengers sat in the aircraft on the tarmac while the airline waited for clearance for flights from U.S. authorities.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/01/06/terrorism.threat.ap/index.html