US secret service in a fix over public warning of terror attack

Senior US intelligence officials have concluded that the risk of a terrorist attack on US soil has increased significantly in recent weeks, ...

Senior US intelligence officials have concluded that the risk of a terrorist attack on US soil has increased significantly in recent weeks, but there is deep disagreement among policymakers about whether to issue a general warning to the public about the danger, according to sources familiar with the debate.

The FBI, CIA and other intelligence agencies have documented a rise in intelligence information over the last two weeks indicating an increased possibility of attacks.

The FBI is planning to warn law enforcement agencies that there is a heightened danger of attack on apartment buildings, hotels and other ‘‘soft targets,’’ according to sources who have seen draft copies of the bulletin.

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Many intelligence analysts in the Pentagon and White House believe that the surge in activity is cause for serious alarm, especially because the prospect of war with Saddam Hussein heightens the risk of attacks by Iraqi agents, Al Qaeda operatives or others eager to take advantage of the political climate.

Many of these officials favour issuing a general alert to the public sometime in the next week, sources said. FBI and CIA officials have taken a more cautious position, however, arguing that the threat information — while clearly troubling — is vague and contains no specific, credible evidence of an impending attack, sources said.

The nation’s colour-coded threat index remained at yellow Wednesday, signifying an before to orange, which signifies a ‘‘high’’ risk of attack, and officials said there were no immediate plans to increase the level again. (LATWP)