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Threat Assessment: United Kingdom Issues Warning, Replaces It Quickly Britain’s Home Office warned yesterday of terrorist attacks using poison gas or “dirty bombs,” then withdrew the warning and replaced it with a generic caution, which included the caveat that “no country is immune from attack” (see GSN, June 20; Eaglesham/Huband, Financial Times, Nov. 7). “Maybe they will try to develop a so-called dirty bomb, or some kind of poison gas; maybe they will try to use boats or trains rather than planes. The bottom line is that we simply cannot be sure,” the withdrawn first release said. Officials denied they were trying to avoid causing panic by retracting the statement by Home Secretary David Blunkett. “We cannot be sure of when or how terrorists will strike, but we can be sure they will try. They may attempt to use more familiar terrorist methods, such as leaving parcel or vehicle bombs in public places or hijacking passenger aircraft,” the first release cautioned (see GSN, Feb. 21). The second version avoided any mention of poison gas or radiological devices. Less than 30 minutes after the first statement was released, journalists were asked to give it back. “If al-Qaeda could mount an attack upon key economic targets, or upon our transport infrastructure, they would. If they could inflict damage upon the health of our population, they would,” the second release says. British intelligence sources said the warnings in Blunkett’s first release — reportedly from a week-old draft — were not linked to specific information, but were intended to ensure watchfulness. Security preparations in the United Kingdom, however, have been increasing, according to the 35-page report on safety precautions that followed Blunkett’s warnings. The document was released as Blunkett met with U.S. homeland security chief Tom Ridge. The United Kingdom has created a stockpile of medicine and medical supplies to respond to anthrax, smallpox or radiological attacks (see GSN, Oct. 9). British ministers are also establishing a health protection agency, to counter a terrorist attack. Officials have planned post-attack procedures with essential services and have refurbished the emergency response system; hospitals should receive 300 mobile decontamination units and 8,000 protective suits. British intelligence and law enforcement have also established a National Counter Terrorism and Security Office, intended to keep track of the threat and prepare Britain’s defense. A multiagency unit has also been created to fight terrorism (Ford/Tendler, London Times, Nov. 8).
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