Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Target: Terrorism - America Expects More Attacks

Aired October 05, 2001 - 07:01   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Now it's time to get details on those warnings of retaliatory attacks by terrorists.

For that, we're joined by CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace -- good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

Well, Paula, as you know, President Bush and his top advisers have been continuing to say that threats to Americans still exist and some officials have even said, of course, that the threats could increase if the U.S. decides to retaliate for the September 11 attacks. Well, in today's "Washington Post," a bit more specific information.

U.S. intelligence officials apparently briefing members of Congress on Tuesday at a classified briefing, saying it's highly probable that terrorists linked to Osama bin Laden will attempt another attack against Americans either in the United States or abroad in the near future. These officials saying this information comes from very credible sources. It's very real information. But they also say some of this could be some disinformation that terrorists or people linked to terrorists could be putting out there to try to prevent the United States from retaliating.

Now, just last weekend, Attorney General John Ashcroft appeared on CNN's "LATE EDITION" and he did say, sounding a warning, he did say that the risks to Americans could increase again if the U.S. retaliates.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: We believe there are substantial risks of terrorism still in the United States of America and as we as a nation respond to those, to what's happened to us, those risks may, in fact, go up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And what we are seeing, Paula, a delicate balancing act from Attorney General John Ashcroft from the White House as they put out this information to make it clear that there are threats out there, that the risks could go up if and when the U.S. retaliates. At the same time, trying to encourage Americans to get back to business, to resume some sort of normalcy. As you can see, a difficult challenge, because, on the other hand, saying threats are still out there, on the other hand, trying to get Americans to get back to business as usual -- Paula, back to you.

ZAHN: Kelly, you talked about the thoughts that there may be some disinformation involved here. What kind of reaction are you getting there from White House officials who think this, might think this is being put out there to discourage any kind of United States and alliance retaliatory strikes?

WALLACE: Well, Paula, as you know, I mean U.S. intelligence officials are looking at everything, taking a very close look at all information coming in, making sure that they don't overlook any one thing, and that is why some, again, they're going to look at all this information and it's going to be difficult, no question, to sort of understand if some of this is just being put out there. But they're not going to be taking any second chances. So obviously the FBI, CIA, all relevant agencies are combing through all this information. It'll be a difficult determination to asses if, in fact, this is just disinformation or if, in fact, there are some real plans.

But you know the U.S. government continues to be at a heightened state of alert and so there is definite, definite concern about additional attempts of risks against Americans -- Paula.

ZAHN: All right, Kelly, we'll see you throughout the morning. Thanks so much for that.

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