The Hindu : International : Terror alert level raised in U.S.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 04, 2004

International

International

Terror alert level raised in U.S.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, APRIL 3. Federal counter-terrorism officials have told the State and local law enforcement officials that trains and buses may be targeted this summer by terrorists with bombs hidden in luggage and bags.

The current level in the country remains at yellow in the colour coded level, which speaks of risk at an elevated level.

Last December, it was raised to orange, or high, and returning to the yellow status on January 10.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Homeland Security Department have issued a national bulletin citing uncorroborated intelligence reports of a plan to target commercial transportation systems. The warning that has been issued has no specificity in terms of dates or which cities may be targeted in the U.S.

An unnamed Federal law enforcement official has been quoted as saying in an agency report that the level of wariness in the U.S. has increased ever since the attacks in Madrid.

Credible intelligence

The level of intelligence on the threat has been deemed "somewhat credible" and the intent of the Federal authorities is to take as much caution as possible it is being said.

Amtrak has said that the train system in America has received no specific threat but that the company has stepped up its security.

"It should not be considered unusual that the FBI should issue this kind of bulletin in the wake of what occurred in Madrid last month," Amtrak has said.

According to the American Public Transit Association, more than nine billion trips are taken each year in the American public transportation system with every weekday accounting for some 32 million trips.

The association has estimated that $6 billions is required to upgrade the American transit system to come to terms with the current security needs.

The Department of Homeland Security had announced a series of security enhancement steps in the aftermath of the Madrid bombings but there has been no perceptible increase in funding.

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