HENCE, CODE ORANGE:

Feb. 13 Raid Led to Qaeda Arres (DAVID JOHNSTON, 3/04/03, NY Times)

Mr. Ridge said Mr. Mohammed had been trying to activate a terror plot against a target inside the United States, a plan that contributed significantly to the government's decision last month to rachet up the terrorist threat alert level from yellow to orange, a status that has since been rescinded. Mr. Ridge called it "a significant terrorist plot," but would not discuss any details.

"There was one plot line that we were able to connect with him that related to a potential terrorist attack during the time that this whole thing was being discussed," Mr. Ridge said. Asked if the attack was planned for the United States, Mr. Ridge replied simply, "Yes."

The plot to which Mr. Ridge appeared to be referring, officials said, involved newly received intelligence indicating that Mr. Mohammed was trying to set in motion a large-scale attack against an unspecified target in the United States, perhaps involving fuel trucks, gas stations and bridges. Mr. Mohammed had considered trying to attack such targets before Sept. 11.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 4, 2003 7:37 AM