‘Chatter’ led to increase in threat level

The nation was put on high alert after officials intercepted phone calls and e-mail between al Qaeda and associates along with newly evaluated intelligence from sources suggesting multiple attacks are imminent, federal law-enforcement officials said yesterday.

Los Angeles and San Francisco are mentioned as potential targets, along with Washington and New York, authorities said. General targets include bridges, tunnels, nuclear power plants and dams.

The communication intercepts originated in several foreign countries and suggest that al Qaeda is seeking to repeat the attacks of September 11, using passenger or cargo jets hijacked from foreign airports to strike unidentified U.S. targets, the authorities said.

Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge on Sunday put the nation on Code Orange, or high alert to a possible terrorist attack that could “rival or exceed September 11.”

However, President Bush yesterday said Americans should “go about their lives.”

“Our government is doing everything we can to protect our country. American citizens need to go about their lives, but as they do so, they need to know that governments at all levels are working as hard as we possibly can to protect the American citizens,” he said.

In addition to the calls and e-mail, new intelligence data was obtained from al Qaeda detainees. A captured Saudi cleric suspected of having ties to al Qaeda disclosed to Saudi authorities that the terrorist network was planning new attacks using aircraft against U.S. targets, officials said.

A separate FBI “Be on the Lookout” advisory to police agencies throughout the United States urged increased security efforts at potentially vulnerable sites.

Early yesterday morning, Mr. Bush convened the Homeland Security Council and was briefed on increased security activities. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said “extraordinary steps” were being taken to protect the nation.

Although airplanes are specifically mentioned in the “chatter” reviewed by intelligence operatives, officials say air travel is safe.

“We’ve taken extraordinary steps to improve and strengthen aviation security, to improve and strengthen our border security, to make sure that our critical infrastructure is protected as well,” Mr. McClellan said.

“There’s close coordination between the federal government and states and local governments as well. I’d say it’s unprecedented cooperation,” Mr. McClellan said.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is under increased security, the National Guard was deployed to New York’s airports, bridges and tunnels, and the National Park Service stepped up security on the Mall in Washington.

Story Continues →