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Letter to the editor

Agencies focus on sites at risk of terror attack

Top officials voice fear of an increased threat.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 15, 2007

WASHINGTON - National security officials worry about a possible attack against the United States in the months ahead even though the government's leading terrorism experts have not found concrete information about an imminent strike.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff spoke this past week of his "gut feeling" that the nation faces an increased risk of attack this summer.

President Bush's instincts point in the same direction. "My head also tells me that al-Qaida's a serious threat to our homeland," he said Thursday. "And we've got to continue making sure we've got good intelligence, good response mechanisms in place."

The administration is expected to soon release an unclassified version of a new National Intelligence Estimate - the spy agencies' most authoritative type of appraisal - on al-Qaida's resurgence and the group's renewed efforts to sneak operatives into the United States.

A look at what the government says it is most worried about and what it is doing to thwart potential attacks:

Transportation

Chertoff is asking people to be on watch for suspicious behavior or activities in transit systems or other public places. "When you see something, say something," he often says. That means picking up the phone to alert local authorities or federal law enforcement about anything out of the ordinary, such as a suspicious person, package or vehicle.

Federal air marshals already had bolstered their presence on domestic and international flights since last August. That stepped-up presence continues today.

Treasury

The Treasury Department is keeping close watch for fresh clues on sources of financing for terrorist groups. Yet counterterrorism officials say that attacks do not have to be expensive. The Sept. 11 Commission estimated the 2001 attacks cost $400,000 to $500,000.

Environmental

These agencies report a high level of vigilance but few if any specific changes. With 4,000 law enforcement officers, the Interior Department says it is keeping busy. It is charged with protecting 1 of every 5 U.S. acres. "We ask our employees always to be vigilant," spokeswoman Tina Kreisher said.

The officers have bolstered security along borders, at sites such as the Statue of Liberty and at national assets such as dams and the roads that lead to them.

Under a government mandate, chemicalmakers are taking stock of chlorine, anhydrous ammonia and other "chemicals of concern" that could - if stolen - cause damage by release or explosion.

Energy and nuclear

Nuclear power plants long have been viewed as a top target of terrorists and have tightened security since Sept. 11. But the latest concerns have not led to significant changes or alerts. At the Energy Department, which oversees the government's nuclear weapons facilities, security requirements have been revamped since 2001.

Agriculture

The Agriculture Department has worked with farmers and shippers to educate them on prevention against tampering, asking them to make sure supplies are locked, for example, and asking truckers never to leave shipments unattended. The department also is working with veterinarians to make sure they are knowledgeable about exotic diseases.

Food and drug

The Food and Drug Administration is helping foster the development and acquisition of vaccines, diagnostic tests and drugs that can be used against attacks including anthrax, botulism, radiological agents, smallpox and plague. Various foods are being assessed to determine their vulnerability to attack in the production process.

[Last modified July 15, 2007, 00:45:18]