By Susanna Ray
Herald Writer
OLYMPIA — Although a series of "tourist quality" photos of the Space Needle and diagrams possibly related to Grand Coulee Dam were found in Afghanistan recently, Gov. Gary Locke said Wednesday there’s no reason for state residents to worry.
"Washington state is not a target of any terrorist attack," Locke said.
Locke said federal officials notified him of the discovery last week, but he saw no reason to tell the public because federal officials assured him there was no known credible threat. He said he did make sure the FBI contacted the Seattle Police Department about the photos.
The discovery emerged earlier Wednesday after NBC News reported that various notable structures in Washington state were potential al-Qaida terrorist targets.
The Space Needle picture that was found is "of a tourist quality, nothing that had any intelligence value," said Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, commander of the Washington National Guard.
The state is not on a higher level of alert as a result of the find, Locke said, but "as the president said last night (in his state of the union address), we’re in for a sustained effort, and we should not relax our guard."
Locke said there were also pictures of Seattle’s skyline that were taken before the Kingdome was demolished in March 2000. The pictures of the Space Needle were taken from a distance and only showed the top half of the structure, he said.
Other than the pictures, there have been no details discovered of other plans targeting state landmarks, Locke said.
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said the FBI informed him of the picture several days ago.
"We are taking it seriously, but we don’t believe there’s any reason for undue concern,” he said.
The development did heighten concern about terrorism in the state, where Algerian Ahmed Ressam was arrested with a car trunk full of explosives as he arrived at Port Angeles by ferry from British Columbia in December 1999. Ressam, who trained in Osama bin Laden-financed terrorist camps in Afghanistan, was convicted of plotting to blow up Los Angeles International Airport.
NBC News also reported that evidence was found in Afghanistan that indicated large hydroelectric dams in Washington state, such as Grand Coulee Dam, were potential targets.
The FBI issued a new warning Wednesday that said al-Qaida members may have been studying U.S. dams and water-supply systems in preparation for new attacks. The terrorists also may have sought information on the Internet about insecticides and pest-control products.
A computer belonging to someone with indirect ties to Osama bin Laden contained architectural and engineering software as it related to dams and other water-retaining structures, the FBI said. The bureau did not say where the computer was found.
The Bureau of Reclamation’s Craig Sprankle, a spokesman for the Grand Coulee Dam, said he would not discuss any recent warnings.
Since Sept. 11, the dam has been on highest alert, eliminating public tours, closing the road over the dam, shutting down fishing at the base of the dam and requiring all employees to wear badges.
In Washington, D.C., a defense official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that diagrams of American nuclear power plants found by U.S. forces in Afghanistan show al-Qaida’s interest in striking them, but it’s unclear how far along those plans were.
Some of the material recovered appears to be from public sources such as magazines. It is not known how al-Qaida came by the rest.
The discoveries highlight the dangers posed by the terrorist network, officials said.
At the hastily called press conference in Olympia Wednesday, Rep. Aaron Reardon, D-Everett, was among a group of security officials and state lawmakers who stood behind Locke as he addressed reporters.
Reardon is a member of the House Select Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and he said legislators have been working on numerous bills dealing with Washington residents’ safety.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
You can call Herald Writer Susanna Ray at 360-586-3803 or send e-mail to
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