N.Y. Police Issue Terror-Threat Warning

New York Police Issue Terror-Threat Warning on New Intelligence That al-Qaida Planning Attack

NEW YORK — New intelligence that the al-Qaida terrorist network plans to attack financial or international institutions in New York City has prompted police to urge extra security precautions at various city buildings. The warning, announced Saturday night, didn't say how the attacks might be carried out or when they would occur.

But ABC News, citing anonymous sources, reported Saturday night that al-Qaida planned to send terrorists across the Mexican border into the United States, and that suicide attacks were being planned in the city.

The network said a woman of Pakistani origin had been detained at the Mexican border with a suspicious passport, $7,000 in cash and an airplane ticket to New York.

The report said al-Qaida may plan to use suicide truck bombings between now and Election Day. The Republican convention begins in New York on Aug. 30.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told The New York Times for Sunday editions that the warning to bolster security came after talks Friday night and Saturday between Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Pasquale Damuro, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York office.

Browne would not elaborate further, the Times said.

The city's alert level remained at "orange," the second-highest point on the five-step terror alert program set up after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The city has stayed at that level since the attacks.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge was expected to visit the city Sunday, but his agenda was not disclosed.
The Associated Press