Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2003
202-282-8010
Statement from the Department of homeland security on Al-Qaeda
Threats
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to coordinate
with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other Federal
agencies in monitoring terrorist activities. The recent Al-Qaeda
tape continues to emphasize that the United States remains their
Number One target.
On October 10, 2003, the DHS and FBI released a joint Information
Bulletin to all state and local authorities including elements
of the private sector advising them that recent multiple reports
indicate terrorists may be poised to conduct simultaneous attacks
in the near term against US interests in a number of venues overseas
and possibly in the United States. The exact timing, targets, and
locations of the possible attacks are unknown. Some reports indicate
that a large attack could follow a series of smaller operations
in the Middle East and South Asia. The Information Bulletin was
provided to sustain the awareness of appropriate state and local
authorities and the private sector responsible for security of
critical infrastructure and other potential target sets.
The United States remains at Threat Level Yellow, Elevated, and
encourages all state and local authorities and Americans to remain
vigilant in our war against terrorism.