-Caveat Lector- (URL @ bottom) Officials: Iraq could be pretense for U.S. terror attack
>From Kelli Arena CNN WASHINGTON (CNN) --The threat of a terrorist attack on U.S. soil is at a higher level than in previous months because of the possibility of impending military action against Iraq, U.S. counterterrorism officials told CNN on Wednesday. "The threat level is definitely up. Our guys have been told to act as if we have already bombed Iraq," one senior counterterrorism official told CNN. Government officials said they are concerned that al Qaeda, Iraqi agents or individuals could launch an attack coinciding with a U.S. strike against Iraq. There has been debate about putting out an alert warning or actually raising the national threat level, but threat level will remain at yellow, or elevated, sources told CNN. Sources say the FBI is closely watching a "handful" of people believed to be Iraqi intelligence officers in the United States. It is part of the bureau's effort to question many of the tens of thousands of Iraqis living in the United States. There is also surveillance of at least several hundred Iraqi nationals who are thought to be supporters of Saddam. Sources say that since the September 11 attacks, the United States has received constant intelligence about another major al Qaeda assault. There is continuing fear of al Qaeda obtaining weapons of mass destruction, but officials said there is no proof the terrorist organization has such weapons yet. "If they get their hands on them, no doubt they will use them," a senior official told CNN. A senior counterterrorism official said he has remained concerned about a second terrorist attack since September 11, 2001. "We're holding our breath" because of Iraq, the official said. Heightened concern prompted the FBI to instruct its agents to pack three days of clothes and personal items and a bag for at least a one-month deployment, sources said. The FBI will deliver a National Threat Assessment to Congress next week which will describe how al Qaeda continues to adapt and will say that a major concern is the threat of chemical and biological agents. Find this article at: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/02/05/sprj.irq.terror.threat/index.html SAVE THIS | EMAIL THIS | Close Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sut <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
