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CNN Live At Daybreak
Wake-Up Call: Terror Alert
Aired May 21, 2003 - 06:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk more about code orange. The Homeland Security secretary was called out of a congressional hearing to elevate the national terror alert. But why now? Are there specific threats?
For the answers, a "Wake-Up Call" to Homeland Security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve.
Good morning -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
As to the specificity of the threat, Asa Hutchinson, the under secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, says there is more specificity in terms of the threats, but not in terms of potential targets, though, as you mentioned, there is concern about soft targets.
We do know from U.S. Defense officials that the information about a potential attack inside the U.S. came from intercepted communications of suspected terrorists, one source indicating the possibility of multiple attacks.
Another factor: the level of so-called intelligence chatter. One knowledgeable U.S. official characterizing some of that as -- quote -- "reasonably spooky stuff."
Local and state government leaders have responded differently, depending how they perceive the risk. New York City, which has been on a higher state of alert consistently since 9/11, nonetheless has increased patrols of subways, bridges and other sensitive areas; also of crowded events. In California, too, officials say there will be more policing around critical infrastructure, like the Golden Gate Bridge. California's governor, Gray Davis, says all of this is costing a lot of money, but there is no choice but to keep people safe.
As for federal steps, the Federal Aviation Administration says some flight restrictions are going into effect today, including renewed flight restrictions over sporting events, and some classes of small airplanes that had gotten waivers to fly in the 15-mile restricted zone around Washington, D.C. will no longer be able to do so.
But I should mention that some states and localities say they do not perceive any great risk to them, and they do not plan any additional security steps despite the step-up in the threat alert level -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And as for citizens, Jeanne, we're just supposed to be vigilant and live our lives as normal.
MESERVE: Exactly. They want us to go about our daily lives as we would otherwise. The line has always been to restrict ourselves would be to allow the terrorists to win. But law enforcement and federal officials are urging everyone to be vigilant to anything suspicious and to report anything if you see it.
COSTELLO: Jeanne Meserve, thanks for waking up early.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired May 21, 2003 - 06:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk more about code orange. The Homeland Security secretary was called out of a congressional hearing to elevate the national terror alert. But why now? Are there specific threats?
For the answers, a "Wake-Up Call" to Homeland Security correspondent, Jeanne Meserve.
Good morning -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
As to the specificity of the threat, Asa Hutchinson, the under secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, says there is more specificity in terms of the threats, but not in terms of potential targets, though, as you mentioned, there is concern about soft targets.
We do know from U.S. Defense officials that the information about a potential attack inside the U.S. came from intercepted communications of suspected terrorists, one source indicating the possibility of multiple attacks.
Another factor: the level of so-called intelligence chatter. One knowledgeable U.S. official characterizing some of that as -- quote -- "reasonably spooky stuff."
Local and state government leaders have responded differently, depending how they perceive the risk. New York City, which has been on a higher state of alert consistently since 9/11, nonetheless has increased patrols of subways, bridges and other sensitive areas; also of crowded events. In California, too, officials say there will be more policing around critical infrastructure, like the Golden Gate Bridge. California's governor, Gray Davis, says all of this is costing a lot of money, but there is no choice but to keep people safe.
As for federal steps, the Federal Aviation Administration says some flight restrictions are going into effect today, including renewed flight restrictions over sporting events, and some classes of small airplanes that had gotten waivers to fly in the 15-mile restricted zone around Washington, D.C. will no longer be able to do so.
But I should mention that some states and localities say they do not perceive any great risk to them, and they do not plan any additional security steps despite the step-up in the threat alert level -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And as for citizens, Jeanne, we're just supposed to be vigilant and live our lives as normal.
MESERVE: Exactly. They want us to go about our daily lives as we would otherwise. The line has always been to restrict ourselves would be to allow the terrorists to win. But law enforcement and federal officials are urging everyone to be vigilant to anything suspicious and to report anything if you see it.
COSTELLO: Jeanne Meserve, thanks for waking up early.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
