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American Morning

U.S. Officials Fear Terror Attack in Two Days

Aired May 22, 2003 - 07:03   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to get back now to that elevated level again here in the U.S.
Jeanne Meserve down in D.C. right now is tracking the latest on this, this morning.

Jeanne -- what do we need to know right now? Good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Officials say that intelligence gathered since the bombings in Saudi Arabia suggest terrorists could strike in the immediate future, but they add that the information points more towards the Gulf Region than it does the United States.

Indeed, the under secretary of the Department of Homeland Security says the threat extends beyond our borders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASA HUTCHINSON, UNDER SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: There is concern worldwide as to the increased terrorist activity. We know that there is an interest in targeting the United States. Our security measures have been somewhat effective, but we know that they continue to try to exploit any vulnerabilities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: A U.S. government official says one factor contributing to the hike in the threat level was intelligence relating to the activities of al Qaeda members in Iran. The official called the information corroborated and credible, but said it did not relate to specific threats within the United States.

Here in Washington, a striking symbol of the level of concern and protection: anti-aircraft missile batteries have been deployed around the city and combat air patrols over the nation's capital have been stepped up. All around the country, airport security has been increased in many places, more inspections are being done, and the FAA has suspended flights over sporting events, including this weekend's Indianapolis 500.

Some localities are again complaining about the expense of all of this. The Department of Homeland Security counters by saying it has distributed close to $4 billion to help cities defray the costs of protecting the homeland. Bill -- back to you.

HEMMER: Jeanne Meserve in Washington.

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 22, 2003 - 07:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to get back now to that elevated level again here in the U.S.
Jeanne Meserve down in D.C. right now is tracking the latest on this, this morning.

Jeanne -- what do we need to know right now? Good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Officials say that intelligence gathered since the bombings in Saudi Arabia suggest terrorists could strike in the immediate future, but they add that the information points more towards the Gulf Region than it does the United States.

Indeed, the under secretary of the Department of Homeland Security says the threat extends beyond our borders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASA HUTCHINSON, UNDER SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: There is concern worldwide as to the increased terrorist activity. We know that there is an interest in targeting the United States. Our security measures have been somewhat effective, but we know that they continue to try to exploit any vulnerabilities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: A U.S. government official says one factor contributing to the hike in the threat level was intelligence relating to the activities of al Qaeda members in Iran. The official called the information corroborated and credible, but said it did not relate to specific threats within the United States.

Here in Washington, a striking symbol of the level of concern and protection: anti-aircraft missile batteries have been deployed around the city and combat air patrols over the nation's capital have been stepped up. All around the country, airport security has been increased in many places, more inspections are being done, and the FAA has suspended flights over sporting events, including this weekend's Indianapolis 500.

Some localities are again complaining about the expense of all of this. The Department of Homeland Security counters by saying it has distributed close to $4 billion to help cities defray the costs of protecting the homeland. Bill -- back to you.

HEMMER: Jeanne Meserve in Washington.

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