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Warning From State Department Says Possible Attack Coinciding With Anniversary of September 11 Attacks May Occur

Aired September 11, 2003 - 08:28   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: This just in to CNN. I want to read this to you. This comes to us from the State Department. It is a new warning for American citizens, both here and abroad. I'm going to read you this because I just got it into my hands.
It says, "The U.S. government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

I'm going to go on and read some more to you. It says, "We," the State Department, "are seeing increased indications that al Qaeda is preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad. We assess that European or Eurasian locations could be venues for the next round of attacks, possibly to closely coincide with the anniversary of the September 11 attack." Of course, you know it is September 11.

It goes on to say, "We expect al Qaeda will strive for new attacks that will be more devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out the potential for al Qaeda to attempt a second catastrophic attack within the United States. These may also involve commercial aircraft and threats to include conventional weapons such as explosive devices, and they may include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness."

Again, this comes from the State Department.

The terror alert level, by the way, remains at yellow. That would come out of the Homeland Security Department. Again, be extra cautious today, a word of warning from the State Department just in to CNN. When we get more information on this, of course, we will pass it along to you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Coinciding With Anniversary of September 11 Attacks May Occur>


Aired September 11, 2003 - 08:28   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: This just in to CNN. I want to read this to you. This comes to us from the State Department. It is a new warning for American citizens, both here and abroad. I'm going to read you this because I just got it into my hands.
It says, "The U.S. government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are cautioned to maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

I'm going to go on and read some more to you. It says, "We," the State Department, "are seeing increased indications that al Qaeda is preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad. We assess that European or Eurasian locations could be venues for the next round of attacks, possibly to closely coincide with the anniversary of the September 11 attack." Of course, you know it is September 11.

It goes on to say, "We expect al Qaeda will strive for new attacks that will be more devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out the potential for al Qaeda to attempt a second catastrophic attack within the United States. These may also involve commercial aircraft and threats to include conventional weapons such as explosive devices, and they may include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness."

Again, this comes from the State Department.

The terror alert level, by the way, remains at yellow. That would come out of the Homeland Security Department. Again, be extra cautious today, a word of warning from the State Department just in to CNN. When we get more information on this, of course, we will pass it along to you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




Coinciding With Anniversary of September 11 Attacks May Occur>