Vigilance and attention minus hysteria

“U.S. Downplays Threat to Americans as Intel Emerges About Europe Terror Plot

Published October 04, 2010

FoxNews.com

The U.S. government says there's no indication the United States or its citizens are a target in the latest Al Qaeda plot that triggered a blanket travel alert for Americans in Europe. 

An FBI/Homeland Security intelligence bulletin obtained Monday by The Associated Press said the latest threat did not appear to involve the United States. 

"At this time, there is no indication that the reported threat is directed specifically toward the United States, its citizens, or infrastructure; however, we assess that Al Qaeda and its affiliates continue to plot against the Homeland and U.S. allies," the bulletin said. 

But officials are nevertheless urging Americans abroad to be on the lookout for suspicious activity, as new information emerges about the terror plot that prompted the unusual alert from the State Department. 

Two intelligence sources told Fox News that possible targets include several tourist attractions across Paris and Berlin. ABC News reported Monday that at least five European airports could be targeted as well. 

Lt. Col. Pamela Cook, a spokeswoman at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, told  Fox News that the base conducted a 24-hour security exercise between Friday and Saturday nights in response to the threats, though they were under no region-wide directive to do so. Cook said the exercise involved a curfew and heightened security on and near the base -- service members were told not to wear their uniforms off base. 

Officials are warning about the possibility that terrorists -- under the leadership of Osama bin Laden -- are trying to execute a Mumbai-style rampage in Western Europe. 

The list of possible targets includes the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the luxury Hotel Adlon near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. Targets also include the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, as well as Berlin's Central Station and its landmark Alexanderplatz TV tower. One official said security has also been tightened around the British royal family. 

The State Department alert is one step below a travel warning advising Americans not to visit Europe. Undersecretary of Management Patrick Kennedy said the administration is not advising that Americans avoid Europe despite the emerging intelligence. 

"We are not, repeat not, advising Americans not to go to Europe," Kennedy said during a conference call. Kennedy said Americans should use "common sense" -- by quickly leaving the scene if they see unattended packages or hear "loud noises" and by minimizing the number of baggage tags that identify them as Americans on their luggage. 

Kennedy said European and American officials have had "intensive discussions" for weeks about the threat, eventually leading up to the travel alert Sunday.”