U.S. Warns of Threat to Financial Icons
Find a Conversation
| Mon, 08-02-2004 - 9:06am |
Federal authorities warned of potential al-Qaida bombing attacks on prominent financial institutions in New York, Washington and Newark, N.J., prompting increased security and concern from the unusually detailed information unearthed on the plot.
"The quality of this intelligence based on multiple reporting streams, in multiple locations is rarely seen, and it is alarming in both the amount and specificity of the information," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said at a hastily arranged news conference Sunday.
A cache of recently obtained information including photos, drawings and written documents indicates that al-Qaida operatives have undertaken a meticulous preparations to case five specific buildings: The Citigroup Center building and the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank buildings in Washington and Prudential Financial Inc.'s headquarters in Newark.
Ridge raised the terror threat level for financial institutions in the three cities to orange, or high alert, the second highest level on the government's five-point spectrum. Elsewhere, he said, the alert would remain at yellow, or elevated.
"Iconic economic targets are at the heart of (the terrorists') interest," Ridge said.
The fresh intelligence did not give crucial details about when, where or how terrorists may strike, Ridge said, but government analysis indicates terrorists may prefer to use car or truck bombs or other means to physically destroy targets.
Briefing reporters in New York, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that starting Monday, trucks would be banned from the Manhattan-bound side of the Williamsburg Bridge, which connects Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. Commercial vehicles also were banned from the inbound of the Holland Tunnel from New Jersey, among other measures.
In Newark, police set up metal fences surrounding the Prudential Plaza building, blocked off two city streets and toted assault rifles.
And in Washington, Mayor Anthony Williams put the entire city on an orange alert, although the Homeland Security Department has not officially raised the threat level outside financial-sector buildings. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey said teams of bomb-sniffing dogs would sweep areas around the World Bank and IMF headquarters, and officers will conduct more traffic stops of large vehicles in the area.
More..............
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040802_74.html


Pages
"The contacts say that Pakistan's strategic circles see the high-value al-Qaeda operators as "bargaining chips" to ensure continued US support for President General Pervez Musharraf's de facto military rule in Pakistan."
Also make Bush look good.
"Had Pakistan handed over top targets such as Osama bin Laden, his deputy Dr Aiman al-Zawahir, Tahir Yuldash (leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan) and others - assuming it was in a position to do so - the military rulers would have lost their usefulness to the US in its "war on terror"."
I think the Pak. Military are most important to the "war on terror". Even if the top leaders are caught there
I agree, but Iraq didn't attack us and between March 2003 and October 2003 the US killed 37,000 civilians. Surely these individuals were loved by their families. We are still bombing civilians in Falluja.
But of course. I wonder if GWB isn't still playing at being president. What will he do when he no longer has to perform for the next election?
I also wonder if we're not making the same ole mistake, i.e., supporting a dictator. I dispare that we never learn. By our presence in Iraq and other Islamic countries we are fueling the growth of terrorism.
Hi Mazz! Ofcourse the threats feel more personal when it's close to those you love. Take into consideration these threats date back to 2000-2001.
"our presence in Iraq and other Islamic countries we are fueling the growth of terrorism."
Yes, even more if that's possible.
Edited 8/3/2004 11:24 pm ET ET by cl-libraone
*Melanie*
You honestly think they will find any reason to hate us.. We obviously hate them as well, we have killed just as many of their wives husbands and children as they have us.. They aren't crazy they are human.
I grew up being taught 'two wrongs don't make a right'.
Hi Angel.
Pages