U.S. ISSUES 9/11 TRAVEL ALERT / CREDIBLE TERROR THREAT VS NY, WASHINGTON
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[PHOTO - WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered a redoubling of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the face of a "credible but unconfirmed" threat ahead of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the threat involved Washington D.C. and New York City, which were targeted in al-Qaeda attacks a decade ago this Sunday that killed nearly 3,000 people. A counter-terrorism official said intelligence pointed to possible car bomb attacks and added the threat information came from Pakistan's tribal areas. A manhunt was underway for two or three suspects, who one person familiar with the matter said were suspected of having links to al-Qaeda. But U.S. officials used strong caveats when discussing the threat information privately, with a national security official cautioning that experts thought the threat would ultimately not check out.]
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - The United States has issued a travel alert for its citizens living or traveling abroad as it prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington.
"While we have not identified any specific threats from al-Qaeda affiliates and allies to attack the United States or our interests on the 9/11 anniversary, US citizens should be aware that al-Qaeda affiliates and allies have demonstrated the intent and capability to carry out attacks against the United States and our interests around the world," the State Department said yesterday.
The attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 killed more than 3,000, the bloodiest attack on US soil since Pearl Harbor in 1941.
The State Department said some terror attacks had been carried out to coincide with significant dates on the calendar. Intelligence reports from Pakistan indicated a plan by militants to set off car or truck bombs in Washington or New York around the time of the 9/11 anniversary.
CNN reported that US officials have "specific, credible but unconfirmed" information about a potential al-Qaeda threat against the US coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"We have received credible information very recently about a possible plot directed at the homeland that seems to be focused on New York and Washington, DC," a senior administration official told CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr Thursday.
There is a standing US terror alert for its citizens traveling to or are already in the Philippines, issued on June 15.
The advisory cited the risk of terror attacks in Mindanao and Metro Manila, particularly in crowded areas such as airports, shopping malls, conference centers, or in places frequented by foreigners. Extreme caution is advised for US travelers or residents in the Sulu archipelago.
Bu the Armed Forces of the Philippines, led by Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr., said there is no need to raise alert despite the US travel advisory, although troops have been ordered to be more aggressive in gathering intelligence information.
Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they are not taking the US statement sitting down even as the Philippines is not facing any immediate threat.
"The chief of staff has ordered the field commanders to intensify intelligence collection efforts and monitoring and strengthen networks and linkages with other security agencies," Burgos said in an interview yesterday.
"We will continue to remain vigilant against all forms of threat in the country, not only in the countryside but in populated areas… There is no substitute for long-term planning and preparation," he added.
"It (US statement) is vital information although there is no need to raise alert levels. But we are not taking it lightly. The information is being considered," he said.
Burgos said troops in the field would conduct their usual security patrols and checkpoints to thwart possible terror attacks.
"We cannot discount the fact that something may erupt but the thing is we are doing our best to confront it," he said.
Burgos said the Sept. 11 attacks have led the military to map out a more effective strategy in confronting terrorism.
"We have undertaken numerous deterrent measures to address the threats of terrorism in the country, like the conduct of security patrols and random checkpoints in coordination with the PNP (Philippine National Police)," he said.
"We have established networks with our neighboring countries' armed forces in terms of information sharing and intelligence exchange in order to prevent any terrorist attack in the country."
Burgos said specialized units have been organized, trained, and strategically deployed throughout the country to foil threats posed by lawless elements and terrorists. – Alexis Romero
FROM THE NATIONAL POST
Major operation planned to combat new U.S. terror threat
[PHOTO - Police keep watch at a check point near the World Trade Center site on September 9, 2011 in New York City. Security is being tightened in New York and Washington, DC following the detection of a possible terror threat tied to the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. New York City and the nation are preparing for the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on lower Manhattan, which resulted in the deaths of 2,753 people at the World Trade Center.]
WASHINGTON, REUTERS, Sep 9, 2011 – 12:24 PM ET | Last Updated: Sep 9, 2011 12:26 PM ET
By Mark Hosenball and Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON — New York police will mount a major counterterrorism operation during Friday's evening rush hour as U.S. officials rush to check credible, but unconfirmed intelligence about a 9/11 anniversary plot, a senior law enforcement official told Reuters.
The operation will involve a "big show of force" which will include officers armed with heavy weapons patrolling subways and stepped up security and bag checks at major subway and commuter train stations, including Grand Central and Pennsylvania station terminals, the official said. Law enforcement agencies in neighboring states were also involved.
While the operation had been planned some time ago, the forces and tactics deployed will be stepped up after local and federal authorities received what they described as "specific and credible" but unconfirmed intelligence about a possible threat to attack the United States by Islamic militants timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington.
Intelligence about the anniversary threat only surfaced during the course of this week and included possible threats of attacks targeting subways or commuter trains or possible car bomb attacks in New York or Washington, U.S. officials said.
Vice President Joseph Biden said on ABC's "Good Morning America" program on Friday morning: "We don't have the smoking gun but we do have talk about using a car bomb."
One of the officials said the threat is believed to come from militants following an al-Qaeda ideology. But it is not certain whether there is a direct connection to what remains of al-Qaeda's battered core leadership.
Officials have said that U.S. law enforcement agencies are on the lookout for three possible suspects, though it is unclear how much, if any, precise information regarding the suspects' identities is available to U.S. authorities.
"We have to be concerned. Terrorism is theater and this is a stage, right now probably the world's biggest stage," said New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
"We have the opening of the 9/11 memorial, the president and two former presidents here, obviously a lot of high profile public officials will be here, so we have to be concerned," Kelly told CNN.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama ordered a redoubling of U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the face of a "credible but unconfirmed" threat before the September 11 attacks anniversary.
U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the threat involved Washington and New York City, which were targeted in al-Qaeda attacks a decade ago this Sunday that killed nearly 3,000 people.
A counterterrorism official said intelligence pointed to possible car bomb attacks and added the threat information came from Pakistan's tribal areas. A manhunt was under way for two or three suspects, who one person familiar with the matter said were suspected of having links to al-Qaeda.
But U.S. officials used strong caveats when discussing the threat information privately, with a national security official cautioning that experts thought the threat would ultimately not check out.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stressed at a news conference on Friday that the threat had not been corroborated, even as he announced heightened security measures "some of which you may notice, some of which you may not notice."
Bloomberg asked citizens to go about their daily routines as usual but report any suspicious or dangerous activity. "Over the next three days we should all keep our eyes wide open."
The White House said Obama was briefed on specific threat information on Thursday morning, and said the government had already heightened security before the anniversary.
Documents discovered in Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, after he was killed in a raid in May by Navy SEALs, highlighted his persistent interest in attacking the United States around the anniversary of the 2001 attacks. But it is unclear if the plans ever evolved beyond aspiration.
"As we know from the intelligence gathered following the Osama bin Laden raid, al-Qaeda has showed an interest in important dates and anniversaries, such as 9/11," said Jan Fedarcyk with the FBI's New York field office.
Kelly announced measures including more bag inspections on the subway, more bomb-sniffing dogs on patrol and increased deployment of radiation monitoring equipment.
"There will be increased focus on tunnels and bridges and infrastructure in general, as well as landmark locations, houses of worship and government buildings," he said.
A law-enforcement source played down an ABC News report about missing rental trucks — saying the vehicles had been recovered and there was no connection to terrorism. © Thomson Reuters 2011
THE NY CITY FREEDOM TOWER: UNITED WE STAND
As we approach the tenth anniversary of the catastrophic events of September 11th, 2001, America looks back and remembers, but also looks ahead. While that day will never be forgotten, the construction of the Freedom Tower signifies the enduring spirit of freedom that America embodies now, embodied seven years ago, and will embody forever. Standing 1,776 feet tall in honor of the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Freedom Tower is expected to be complete by 2012.
Watch the video link below and see what the new tower will look like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR9dTp5CLjI
More 9/11 Remembered stories today at:
Science & Infotech section
Hometown section
Headline section (at bottom of List) KIDS AT FLORIDA CLASSROOM SHARED DARKEST HOUR W/ PRES. BUSH. MOST OF THEM NOW ADULTS, THEY REMEMBER.
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