*EPF206 03/18/2003
Text: U.S. Raises National Terrorist Threat Alert Level
(Response based on expected attacks on U.S., coalition targets) (900)
The United States raised its terrorist threat alert level to code orange, or "high risk" -- the second highest threat level -- based on intelligence reports indicating likely attacks on U.S. and coalition targets if the United States begins military hostilities against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
"A large volume of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that al-Qaeda probably would attempt to launch terrorist attacks against U.S. interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the 'Iraqi people' rather than Saddam Hussein's regime," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in a statement March 17. "There are many recent indications that al-Qaeda's planning includes the use of chemical, biological, and radiological materials."
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security announced it has begun implementing increased protective measures under a comprehensive national plan -- dubbed "Operation Liberty Shield."
"Operation Liberty Shield will increase security at our borders, strengthen transportation sector protections, enhance security at our critical infrastructure, increase public health preparedness and make sure all federal response assets can be deployed quickly," Ridge said.
He said that in recent months there have been reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure such as bridges, dams, and power generating facilities, and targets considered symbolic of U.S. power and influence.
Ridge said he has asked the 50 U.S. governors to deploy Army and Air National Guard forces or additional state police forces to improve security at critical locations throughout the United States.
This marks the third time the Bush administration has ordered the terrorist threat warning level raised to high risk since the five-point, color-coded alert scale was put in place a year ago. Code green indicates the lowest risk level, while code blue indicates a guarded general risk, code yellow an elevated threat, code orange a high risk, and code red indicates severe risk of terrorist attacks.
This is the first time the level has been raised by the Department of Homeland Security since it took over responsibility for the warning system from the Justice Department March 1.
The alert level had been at code yellow, or "elevated," since February 27.
Following is the text of Ridge's remarks:
(begin text)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C.
March 17, 2003
Operation Liberty Shield: Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge
The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Homeland Security Council, has made the decision to raise the national threat level from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack or Level Orange. The Intelligence Community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against U.S. and Coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S.-led military campaign against Saddam Hussein. A large volume of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that al-Qaeda probably would attempt to launch terrorist attacks against U.S. interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the "Iraqi people" rather than Saddam Hussein's regime.
While the March 1 arrest of senior al-Qaeda operative, Khalid Shaykh Muhammad (KSM) has put the al-Qaeda senior leadership on the defensive -- and will be debilitating in the long term -- the Intelligence Community believes that KSM's capture will not necessarily affect operations that are ready or nearly ready for execution. There are many recent indications that al-Qaeda's planning includes the use of chemical, biological, and/or radiological materials.
Intelligence reporting also indicates that while al-Qaeda and those sympathetic to their cause are a principal threat, Iraqi state agents, Iraqi surrogate groups, other regional extremist organizations, and ad hoc groups or disgruntled individuals not connected to existing organizations or state agencies, may use this time period to conduct terrorist attacks against the U.S., or our interests abroad.
In recent months, there have been reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure (bridges, dams, power generating facilities), and targets that are considered symbolic to U.S. power and influence. The discovery of ricin production in London raises the concern of the Intelligence Community that extremists are planning to follow through on longstanding threats of poison plots against U.S, British and Israeli interests -- and possibly other targets in Europe.
The Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with numerous departments of the federal government has begun implementing increased protective measures under a comprehensive national plan to protect the Homeland: "Operation Liberty Shield."
Operation Liberty Shield will increase security at our borders, strengthen transportation sector protections, enhance security at our critical infrastructure, increase public health preparedness and make sure all federal response assets can be deployed quickly.
Tonight, I have spoken to the nation's Governors and asked them to deploy the National Guard or additional police forces to improve security at critical locations throughout their states. Other state, local and private sector leaders are also being contacted to engage their support to increase the nation's security.
These heightened security measures will help deter terrorism and increase protection of America and Americans. 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.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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