"Terror alert level raised to 'orange'"

Monday, March 17, 2003

Terror alert level raised to 'orange'
Ridge announces new national security plan
>From Jeanne Meserve
Cable News Network (CNN)


WASHINGTON (CNN) --With military action against Iraq looming, the Bush
administration raised the national terrorism threat alert level from
"yellow" to "orange" Monday night, the Homeland Security Department
announced.

In a statement released after President Bush's address to the nation,
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said intelligence officials believe
terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and coalition targets
worldwide in the event of a U.S.-led military campaign against Iraq.

The statement said reports from a wide range of intelligence sources -- some
of them highly reliable -- suggest the al Qaeda network probably would claim
it is acting on behalf of the Muslim world and Iraqi people rather than the
regime of Saddam Hussein.

In a conference call Monday evening between CIA officials and the nation's
governors, officials said the intelligence community believes there is a
near certainty of attacks that would involve mass casualties with maximum
economic, psychological and symbolic impact.

Intelligence officials believe al Qaeda is in the final stages of planning a
large-scale attack overseas, officials said in the conference call. The CIA
said it believes al Qaeda will rationalize the use of chemical, biological
or radiological weapons based on the large number of casualties the United
States may inflict in its military campaign.

There was particular concern expressed about buildings, subways, and
enclosed areas, the CIA said. There was also concern about Iraqi sleeper
agents proficient in assassination, kidnapping, and bombing.

"Orange" is the second-highest level in the nation's five-tiered,
color-coded threat alert system. The nation was last put on that level
February 7 because of increased "chatter" among suspected terrorist cells
and the proximity to the Muslim Hajj.

No incidents occurred, and the level was lowered to "yellow" nearly three
weeks later.

Plan to detain asylum applicants
Ridge also announced the start of a national plan called Operation Liberty
Shield to enhance security nationwide.

The plan includes detaining asylum applicants from nations where al Qaeda
members and sympathizers and other terrorist groups are known to have
operated.

Calling it a "reasonable and prudent temporary action," the Homeland
Security Department said the applicants would be detained while they are
being processed so U.S. officials can stay in contact with them while
deciding on their asylum claims.

Border protection and increased security at airports and railways, and
greater road security are also parts of the plan. Homeland Security called
for temporary flight restrictions over certain U.S. cities, including
Washington and New York, though the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN
it had not yet issued those rules.

New airport measures
Because of the higher threat level, the Transportation Security
Administration, which is in charge of security at the nation's airports,
announced four new measures Monday night.

The TSA is ordering airports to conduct random inspections of vehicles,
increase canine patrols, and increase the overall law enforcement presence
in and around airports.

The agency will also be putting up temporary signs inside airports asking
the public to be aware of the increased threat level and to report
unattended bags and suspicious behavior.

The Coast Guard will protect offshore petroleum sites near large coastal
population centers, and security is being increased at chemical facilities,
nuclear power plants, key electrical grids, bridges and subways.

Operation Liberty Shield will also increase monitoring of diseases and food
security, Homeland Security said. The Agriculture Department is alerting
food producers to step up their security -- such as inspecting all vehicles
and escorting all visitors -- and is helping monitor feedlots, stockyards,
and import and storage areas.

Imported food will also come under increased scrutiny by the Department of
Health and Human Services, which is asking health departments and medical
care providers to report unusual diseases or disease patterns.

"In the meantime, as on the other occasions when the national threat level
has been increased, we encourage members of the public to continue their
daily work, family and leisure activities with a heightened awareness,"
Ridge said.

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