Warning:
FBI Warns 'Spectacular' Al Qaeda Attack Possible
38 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Al Qaeda may be planning "spectacular" attacks
inside the United States, the FBI (news - web sites) has warned, saying
national landmarks and other sites where attacks might result in massive
casualties, economic damage and psychological trauma were at risk from
the extremist network.
A bulletin posted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National
Infrastructure Protection Center Web site, dated Nov. 14, went out following
the Nov. 12 release of a purported tape of al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden
(news - web sites), evidence a resurgence in al Qaeda activity and
unspecified intelligence reports.
Al Qaeda's next attack "may rely on conventional explosives and
low-technology platforms such as truck bombs, commercial or private
aircraft, small watercraft or explosives easily concealed and planted by
terrorist operatives," the FBI bulletin said.
"The highest priorities remain within the aviation, petroleum and nuclear
sectors as well as significant national landmarks," the bulletin said.
The vulnerability of a target and the likelihood of a successful attack would
also be as important as prominence in selecting a target, the FBI said.
Because of a lack of specific information about the threat, however, the FBI
did not raise its Homeland Security Advisory System threat level from the
yellow, or elevated, level.
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