Tom Ridge: Report on Potential Terrorist Attack in America is Not Very Important - 2004-05-26

Tom Ridge, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that reports suggesting terrorists are planning a major attack on U.S. soil in the coming months are not very significant. On Wednesday, Ridge confirmed that U.S. intelligence agencies have received credible information indicating the possibility of terrorist attacks within the U.S., but he noted that this information is similar to what U.S. officials have obtained in the past. Ridge mentioned that there are no plans to raise the national terrorism alert level. John Ashcroft, the U.S. Attorney General, and Robert Mueller, the FBI Director, also stated in a press conference that they intend to release photos of suspected terrorists and seek the public's help in locating them. Additionally, Ashcroft indicated that U.S. officials have credible information suggesting that al-Qaeda intends to carry out attacks in the U.S. in the coming months. He stated that this information, along with recent statements attributed to al-Qaeda, indicates that attack plans are nearly complete. The Attorney General noted that officials do not have information on specific targets or when such an attack might occur, but mentioned that the upcoming G8 summit in June and major political party conventions in the U.S. could be potential targets. Ashcroft and Mueller also urged Americans to assist in searching for seven individuals suspected of terrorist activities, one of whom was born in the U.S.