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| Friday, 16 July 2004 |
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CIA : warnings of terror attack based on solid information WASHINGTON, Thursday (AFP) Warnings that terrorists are plotting "something big" against the United States are based on "very, very solid" information, the CIA's acting director said, likening the threat reports to those that preceded the September 11, 2001 attacks. John McLaughlin, the acting CIA director, noted in an interview with National Public Radio that the United States had ample warning of an attack before the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington but no specifics on the timing and targets. "But we did have conviction that something big was coming at us. We have that same conviction now," he said. "And the reason I say that it is serious is that I think the information I've seen is very, very solid. We have very little doubt about the information we have in terms of its sourcing and its authenticity," he said. McLaughlin would not comment on the specificity of the intelligence this time, but said the agency has developed much more intelligence on al-Qaeda and its intentions since September 11. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that "credible reports" indicate al-Qaeda plans to carry out a large scale attack in the United States to disrupt the US elections. Ridge said precise knowlege of the time, place and method of attack was lacking, but security is being stepped up at the sites of the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions this summer. The Democratic Party's national convention is to be held in Boston July 26-29, while President George W. Bush's Republican Party is to hold its convention in New York August 30-September 2, ahead of the November 2 US presidential election. Asked whether Americans should cancel vacation plans or stay away from Boston and New York during the conventions, McLaughlin said people should go about their business. "But citizens themselves need to keep their eyes open and be alert," he said. |
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