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U.S. Raises Terror Threat Level, Says Risk High
By Deborah Charles

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Citing information on possible attacks on American targets this month, the U.S. government put the country on the second-highest level of security alert on Friday, warning people to be on their guard.


Attorney General John Ashcroft (news - web sites) announced the increase in the color-coded threat level to orange, saying the decision came after a number of intelligence reports suggested a heightened possibility of terrorist attacks.


"Since September the 11th, the U.S. intelligence community has indicated that the al Qaeda terrorist network is still determined to attack innocent Americans, both here and abroad," Ashcroft told a news conference.


"Recent reporting indicates an increased likelihood that al Qaeda may attempt to attack Americans in the United States and/or abroad in or around the end of the Haj, a Muslim religious period ending mid-February 2003."


Ashcroft said the assessments showed a greater likelihood of an attack by al Qaeda -- the group Washington blames for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked air liners -- on lightly secured targets like apartment buildings and hotels.


Officials said the intelligence was coming from intercepts, detainees, foreign intelligence and other sources.


One official said the reason for vigilance related to the Haj is because some terrorism suspects have made references to it. It was unclear whether there were plots tied to the Haj or if it was used as a reference point.


The heightened security concern came as the United States prepared for a possible military invasion of Iraq. Washington charges that Baghdad has failed to get rid of its weapons of mass destruction as required by the U.N. Security Council, but Iraq insists it has no such weapons.


Earlier this week the Bush administration released information that it said showed Iraq also has ties to al Qaeda, Iraq denied the allegation.


Several U.S. officials have suggested that a war with Iraq could spark increased terror activities in the United States or against American interests abroad.


AL QAEDA INTERESTED IN CHEMICAL ATTACKS


Issuing the warning, Ashcroft noted that the intelligence community has repeatedly indicated that al Qaeda might attack economic targets, including in the transportation and energy sectors, as well as symbolic targets of American power.


He cited a number of attacks, like the bombing of a disco in Bali and a hotel in Kenya, that he said showed al Qaeda was willing and able to strike at lightly guarded targets.


Ashcroft said there were also indications al Qaeda was interested in carrying out chemical, biological and radiological attacks.


Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge urged Americans to be even more aware of potential danger and said law enforcement across the country would be on heightened alert.


Just hours after Ashcroft announced the rise in the threat level, the FBI (news - web sites) issued a statement saying it was seeking a Pakistani who was considered armed and dangerous.


FBI Director Robert Mueller said on the agency's Web site the bureau was seeking Mohammed Sher Mohammad Khan "in connection with possible terrorist threats against the United States."


Khan was believed to have entered the United States illegally after Sept. 1, 2001.

A law enforcement official said information received about Khan was not the main reason for the government's decision to increase the threat level, but was just one of a series of factors taken into consideration.

TIGHTER SECURITY IN SUBWAYS, HOTELS, AIRPORTS

After raising the alert level, Ashcroft suggested Americans go about their usual business, but increase their "readiness." He would not say how long the alert would stay at the orange level but said he hoped increased vigilance by law enforcement and ordinary Americans would help deter any attack.

"We hope to reduce the level of the threat by our activities," he said.

Yellow, the middle of a five-color range, means a "significant" risk and orange means a "high" risk of terrorist attack. The highest level of red represents a "severe" risk.

The last increase in the threat level, to orange from yellow, was Sept. 10, 2002, before the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It was lowered two weeks later.

Ridge spoke to governors, Congressional leaders and top corporate executives to discuss what steps should be taken.

The new level will trigger a series of additional security precautions. For example there will be more random searches at airports, more federal air marshals on flights and closer scrutiny at borders.

New Yorkers will see increased security in hotel lobbies, apartment buildings, the subway system, transportation hubs, bridges, tunnels and city landmarks, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "We will be increasing our security at the appropriate locations and we will pay special attention to places where lots of people gather," he said at City Hall.

The National Guard has been activated across New York state.

Officials at California's Golden Gate Bridge were discussing ways to step up security -- like introducing truck inspections or additional patrols at the landmark bridge.

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