Threat Assessment:  FBI Plan Would Respond To Potential Domestic Attacks

The FBI has developed a broad plan to respond to domestic terrorist attacks that might occur if the United States attacks Iraq, the Los Angeles Times reported today (see GSN, Feb. 27).

The plan involves monitoring Iraqi residents in the United States and others who might launch attacks in a show of solidarity with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, U.S. officials said yesterday.  U.S. intelligence agencies are concerned about agents who have infiltrated the United States and are planning attacks in the event of war or other groups who might conduct “proxy” attacks, the Times reported.

“You can’t rule out the possibility that they are going to try and do something like that,” said a U.S. official.  “They did that in the Gulf War — (Iraq) sent out a number of intelligence operators to conduct terrorist attacks.  They were singularly unsuccessful, but you can’t count on them being quite as inept this time.  There are a lot of Iraqis in this country,” the official said.

Although the national threat level was lowered from “orange” to “yellow” yesterday, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge released a joint statement warning that the terrorist threat remained (Josh Meyer, Los Angeles Times, Feb. 28).

“The lowering of the threat level is not a signal to government, law enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist attack is passed.  Returning to the elevated level of risk is only an indication that some of the extra protective measures enacted by government and the private sector may be reduced at this time,” the statement said.

“We emphasize that the United States and its interests are still at a significant risk of terrorist attack.  Detained al-Qaeda operatives have informed U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials that al-Qaeda will wait until it believes Americans are less vigilant and less prepared before it will strike again.  For this reason, and for the safety and security of our nation, Americans must continue to be defiant and alert.  We must always be prepared to respond to a significant risk of terrorist attacks,” the statement added (White House release, Feb. 28).

Immediately before the threat level was lowered, the FBI warned local law enforcement officials that al-Qaeda operatives in the United States might be conducting “meticulous planning” for future terrorist attacks (Meyer, Los Angeles Times).

“Al-Qaeda operations have been characterized by meticulous planning, a focus on inflicting mass casualties and multiple, simultaneous suicide attacks,” said the FBI warning, which was distributed this week.

Law enforcement personnel were warned to look for “prolonged static surveillance,” which could come from operatives “disguised as panhandlers, demonstrators, shoe shiners, food or flower vendors, news agents or street sweepers” (Associated Press/Foxnews.com, Feb. 28).

New York City, meanwhile, maintained an “orange” threat level, the New York Times reported.

“Nothing has changed,” said Michael O’Looney, Police Department spokesman.  “We have been at the same level since the beginning of the color-coded system, and we are keeping our status the same,” he said.

New York added additional security measures this month and officials plan to keep them in place, the Times reported.

“We are at a greater risk than say, Omaha,” O’Looney said.  “If Omaha is at yellow, it makes sense for us to remain at a higher level,” he added (New York Times, Feb. 28).

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U.S. Response I:  United States Lowers Threat Level to Yellow

The White House lowered the national threat alert level from “orange” to “yellow” today, indicating an “elevated” risk of attack (see GSN, Feb. 18).

“The lowering of the threat level is not a signal to government, law enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist attack is passed,” Attorney General John Ashcroft and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said in a joint statement.  “Returning to the elevated level of risk is only an indication that some of the extra protective measures enacted by government and the private sector may be reduced at this time,” they added (White House release, Feb. 27).

The terrorist threat has eased since the end of the Muslim hajj holiday that concluded two weeks ago, officials said.  In addition, other, unspecified intelligence suggested that the threat has diminished, officials said (John Lumpkin, Associated Press/Washington Post, Feb. 27).

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U.S. Response II:  Bush Criticizes Congress for Domestic Security Funding Levels

U.S. President George W. Bush criticized Congress yesterday for what he said were shortfalls in funding to protect against terrorist attacks on the United States (see GSN, Jan. 24).

The comments were seen as unusual, considering Republicans control both houses of Congress, the New York Times reported.

Charging that Congress had not provided the full $3.5 billion he had requested to fund state and local emergency responders, Bush said it was “a disappointment when the executive branch gets micromanaged by the legislative branch.”

The White House at first supported the spending bill that Congress passed, but officials now say the bill does not sufficiently support counterterrorism programs.  Bush signed the bill into law this month but yesterday he said that Congress “did not respond to the $3.5 billion we asked for — they not only reduced the budget that we asked for, they earmarked a lot of the money.”

Bush administration officials said there is only $1.3 billion in counterterrorism funding in the $397.4 billion bill.  Leading members of Congress said that they had provided the $3.5 billion the White House sought for first responders, but administration officials said most of that money is directed towards emergency programs that do not address terrorism.  Budget specialists agreed with this assessment, the New York Times reported.

“We wanted specific counterterrorism funding,” said a White House official.  “We weren’t talking about community policing programs.  We weren’t talking about grants to buy bulletproof vests for police officers,” the official said.

A Republican congressional aide said that Republicans are not happy with the White House’s criticism of the spending bill.

“The White House is realizing how vulnerable it is on this issue,” said Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).  “This is the first time that their attitude about homeland security — their ‘don’t worry, be happy attitude’ — has been shed,” he added (Philip Shenon, New York Times, Feb. 27).

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