Fears of new attacks raise alert level

WASHINGTON — Because fresh intelligence suggests al-Qaida is planning multiple catastrophic terrorist attacks in the United States, federal officials on Sunday raised the national threat alert status to "high risk," or code orange, but advised Americans to stick to their holiday travel plans.

Some of the new intelligence indicates al-Qaida operatives are exploring security vulnerabilities on commercial or cargo flights originating overseas and flying into U.S. airports, officials said. It suggests the terrorist network is preoccupied with repeating its Sept. 11, 2001, tactic of hijacking aircraft for use as missiles against U.S. targets, they added.

"The strategic (intelligence) indicators, including al-Qaida’s continued desire to carry out attacks against our homeland, are perhaps greater now than at any point since September 11th," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Sunday. "Information indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will rival, or exceed, the attacks in New York (and) at the Pentagon."

Washington state agencies increased their vigilance Sunday, but said there was no specific threat to the Northwest.

Some of the intercepted communications and other intelligence mentions New York, Washington, D.C., and unspecified cities on the West Coast, said a federal law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Raising the alert level to orange from yellow or "elevated risk" results in stepped up security procedures across the country to protect government buildings, critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants and railroads, harbors, shopping malls and other locations where people congregate.

At U.S. airports Sunday, security screeners and police mobilized in response to the alarm. Some airports prepared to bring out more bomb-sniffing dogs to patrol the terminals, and some planned to increase random vehicle inspections. At others, parking was restricted at some garages closest to airport terminals, and screeners were advised by supervisors to be extra vigilant.

Cars and trucks approaching curbside lanes adjacent to the main terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were stopped at a checkpoint Sunday night by Port of Seattle police, airport spokesman Bob Parker said.

Police searched any vehicles that met certain criteria, Parker said. He would not give details of the criteria but noted, "It’s not about the driver, it’s about the vehicle.

"It’s a very cursory search, make sure we can see in the back, that sort of thing," he said. "We’re just looking for large items that might be threatening."

Also, Ridge has contacted his counterparts in Canada and Mexico about increasing border security.

"The only thing I’ve been able to find out is that there’s nothing specific for Seattle," said FBI spokesman Ray Lauer in Seattle.

Gov. Gary Locke echoed that conclusion.

"At this time," he said Sunday, "there is no specific threat in our state. The orange threat condition is for the country as a whole. Our state, however, is taking appropriate steps in response to this threat."

He said state officials had raised Washington’s security level and ordered all state agencies to implement specific, comprehensive security measures.

"Citizens should remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious packages, vehicles or activities," Locke said. The governor noted there will be increased security at airports and borders, "and I encourage people to be understanding and patient."

That increased vigilance at ports of entry was affirmed by spokesman Mike Milne at the U.S. Custom Service.

"We are doing what we do when we go to orange," he said.

"We will be performing intensive inspections at our airports, seaports and land border crossings. We will be doing additional identification checks at our land borders.

"We will search more vehicles and more trunks of vehicles," Milne said. That doesn’t mean travelers should not buy Christmas gifts in Canada or vice versa, he said — "just don’t wrap them."

The agency also will be stepping up cargo examinations, he said.

"The borders are open," Milne added. "We encourage people if they had plans (to travel) to maintain their plans."

Ridge made the announcement of the alert status at his agency’s headquarters on a secure naval base in Washington Sunday 90 minutes after President Bush approved the recommendation by top officials of Ridge’s department, the FBI, CIA, Pentagon, Justice Department and the White House.

"There was a consensus in the intelligence community that we go up" to orange alert, Ridge said Sunday in his news conference.

The State Department issued a worldwide caution to U.S. citizens overseas. "Al-Qaida and its associated organizations have struck in the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and in Europe in Istanbul, Turkey," the department’s Web site said. "We therefore assess that other geographic locations could be venues for the next round of attacks.

"We expect al-Qaida will strive for new attacks designed to be more devastating than the Sept. 11 attack, possibly involving nonconventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents," the State Department advised.

"I encourage you to continue with your holiday plans," Ridge said. "Gather with your family and friends. … We will show the terrorists this holiday season both our goodwill toward our fellow men, and our readiness and resolve to protect our families."

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport spokesman Bob Parker offered the following steps travelers can take to reduce the heightened alert’s effect on their personal plans: