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CNN Live At Daybreak
Government Raises National Threat Level
Aired December 22, 2003 - 06:01 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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: If you are traveling by air this holiday season, expect longer security lines and possibly some longer delays. That's the word from federal authorities, who raised the national terror alert level from elevated to high.
We have details now from CNN's Kathleen Koch in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The unwelcome holiday news from the homeland security secretary came at a hastily- called press conference. The nation's terror threat level was, for the fifth time, being raised from elevated to high.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The U.S. intelligence community has received a substantial increase in the volume of threat- related intelligence reports. These credible sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the homeland around the holiday season and beyond.
KOCH: Ridge said extremists abroad were anticipating -- quote -- "near-term attacks that would rival or exceed those on 9/11." Specifically Ridge said al Qaeda continues to try to find holes in U.S. aviation security and may again use aircraft as weapons.
RIDGE: We have a substantial level of security at the airports, but we can ramp it up a little bit more.
KOCH: Besides boosting security nationwide, the new alert means U.S. border patrols will increase.
Though citing no specific threat, Ridge said terrorists wanting to cause maximum damage could gravitate toward larger metropolitan areas. He pointed out New York City and Washington remain the highest profile target cities. Some, though, warn not every threat can be anticipated or stopped.
SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: We've probably reduced their ability to carry out the large coordinated elaborate attacks. But in a free society, it's very difficult to protect against the lone wolf who is willing to kill himself in the process of killing many others.
KOCH: Beyond the holiday season well under way, Ridge wouldn't speculate on why terrorist threats are so high now, though the senator heading the Foreign Relations Committee has an idea.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R), INDIANA: If I were to speculate, it comes because of the setbacks for Osama bin Laden and the Taliban and al Qaeda have been substantial.
KOCH (on camera): The added security from raising the threat level cost cities and states millions. Still, the government would give no clue today as to how long the nation would remain on high alert.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 December 22, 2003 - 06:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: If you are traveling by air this holiday season, expect longer security lines and possibly some longer delays. That's the word from federal authorities, who raised the national terror alert level from elevated to high.
We have details now from CNN's Kathleen Koch in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The unwelcome holiday news from the homeland security secretary came at a hastily- called press conference. The nation's terror threat level was, for the fifth time, being raised from elevated to high.
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The U.S. intelligence community has received a substantial increase in the volume of threat- related intelligence reports. These credible sources suggest the possibility of attacks against the homeland around the holiday season and beyond.
KOCH: Ridge said extremists abroad were anticipating -- quote -- "near-term attacks that would rival or exceed those on 9/11." Specifically Ridge said al Qaeda continues to try to find holes in U.S. aviation security and may again use aircraft as weapons.
RIDGE: We have a substantial level of security at the airports, but we can ramp it up a little bit more.
KOCH: Besides boosting security nationwide, the new alert means U.S. border patrols will increase.
Though citing no specific threat, Ridge said terrorists wanting to cause maximum damage could gravitate toward larger metropolitan areas. He pointed out New York City and Washington remain the highest profile target cities. Some, though, warn not every threat can be anticipated or stopped.
SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: We've probably reduced their ability to carry out the large coordinated elaborate attacks. But in a free society, it's very difficult to protect against the lone wolf who is willing to kill himself in the process of killing many others.
KOCH: Beyond the holiday season well under way, Ridge wouldn't speculate on why terrorist threats are so high now, though the senator heading the Foreign Relations Committee has an idea.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R), INDIANA: If I were to speculate, it comes because of the setbacks for Osama bin Laden and the Taliban and al Qaeda have been substantial.
KOCH (on camera): The added security from raising the threat level cost cities and states millions. Still, the government would give no clue today as to how long the nation would remain on high alert.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
