US raises terrorism alert level to high

WASHINGTON - The US Government yesterday raised its terror alert status to the second-highest level, citing the risk of attacks on American soil in light of suicide bombings.

The decision to raise the alert level to "high" or orange from "elevated" or yellow was made "based upon the recent terrorist bombings in Saudi Arabia and Morocco, also in conjunction with intelligence reports concerning anti-US terrorist groups' intentions", said Department of Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson.

"The United States' intelligence community believes that terrorists continue to plan attacks against targets in the United States," he said.

Saudi Arabia, where 34 people were killed by suicide bombers a week ago, said it had arrested three more suspected al Qaeda members as the US, Britain and Germany shut their embassies in the kingdom in response to warnings that more attacks might be imminent.

But New Zealand and Australia will keep their embassies open.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Emma Reilly, said the Riyadh post was open normal business hours.

A Saudi diplomat in Washington has warned that the same operatives could be planning a much bigger operation.

However, Ms Reilly said the decision to stay open was "based on current information".

"We are keeping an eye on the situation and we're in constant communication with Riyadh."

It was standard practice for diplomatic posts from different nations to keep in contact with each other in a particular country.

Any help given by the New Zealand post to other foreign nationals would depend on specific arrangements made, she said.

"Australia has also elected to keep its embassy open, so we're not alone."

The FBI said earlier that the suicide bombings last week in which a total of 75 people were killed could herald attempts to carry out an attack on the US, though it said it had no specific information.

"Recent intelligence suggests [these] attacks may be a prelude to an attack on the United States," the FBI said in a message to law enforcement agencies.

The last time the Government raised the terror alert to orange was on March 17, the eve of the war with Iraq, when officials feared potential retaliation on the US. It was lowered to yellow one month later.

There is one level higher than orange - red or "severe risk" - in the five-level alert scheme created last year. It has generally been in the middle at yellow.

Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge, who met President George W. Bush as the latest FBI warning was released, said that al Qaeda and its sympathisers were still the main danger but threats could also come from anti-US terror groups, regional extremists or "disgruntled individuals". He said the US intelligence community believed al Qaeda had entered an "operational period" worldwide which could include attacks in the US.

"While there is not credible, specific information ... the use of tactics similar to those seen in recent terrorist attacks overseas include small-arm-equipped assault teams, large vehicle-borne explosive devices and suicide bombers," Ridge said.

He said the use of chemical, biological or radiological agents could "not be discounted".

An FBI bulletin obtained by ABC News said two emails warned of possible attacks against Boston, New York, Washington and US beaches.

A spokesman for the FBI had no immediate comment on the report, which did not say who had sent the emails or to whom they were addressed.

Ridge said he had asked state Governors to deploy additional forces, particularly during the Memorial Day holiday on May 26, a day of remembrance for those who have died in US service.

Officials said measures would not be as strict as in the last orange alert.

For example, states would not be asked to deploy the National Guard to help protect key infrastructure.

But security would be boosted at borders, airports and ports and there would be a more visible police presence in cities.

In New York yesterday, security was stepped up at bridges, tunnels, airports, power plants, landmarks and other sensitive locations.

- REUTERS