World

Worldwide Terrorism Jitters

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

May 30, 2001 / 3:36 PM EDT / CBS

The State Department has warned Americans worldwide to be alert to possible violence, while the Pentagon said it has upgraded security in Middle East because of terror threats.

Both moves coincided with the conviction of four men for their roles in the bombing of two American embassies in Africa in 1998.

In its "Worldwide Caution," the State Department said that Americans should "maintain a high level of vigilance" following the embassy bombing convictions, which mean possible death sentences for two of the four, all alleged associates of Osama bin Laden.

"In the past, such individuals have not distinguished between official and civilian targets. As always, we take this information seriously. U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert," the statement read, although it added that the United States has not detected a specific threat.

World of Worry

Click on these links to read the State Department's warnings on:

Americans worldwide

Travel to Tajikistan

Travel to Sweden

The caution instructs American travelers and government personnel "to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness to reduce their vulnerability," by reporting unfamiliar objects, not leaving vehicles unattended, varying travel plans and keeping a "low-profile."

"In addition, U.S. Government facilities have and will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy," the caution read.

The United States has issued other worldwide cautions recently. One was called in October, 2000, after the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen and that order was extended for five months in January.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon upgraded security at its naval headquarters in Bahrain and for some of its forces in Kuwait, because of a "reliable and specific threat," reports CBS News Correspondent Jim Stewart.

A defense official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters American forces in the Gulf emirate, which is headquarters of the U.S. 5th Fleet, were put on alert over the weekend fter the information was received by intelligence sources.

"They had some threats in the area and Bahrain has been put on Threatcon (threat condition) Charlie," the official said. The level of alert is the second highest for U.S. forces behind Threatcon Delta. It requires base guards, troops and their families to be especially alert to possible attack.

The official declined to be specific about the threats, but stressed the information was received before the embassy bombings verdict. According to the Defense Almanac, a total of 949 servicemembers are in Bahrain, 734 of whom are in the Navy. Nearly 5,000 military personnel are based in Kuwait.

Threat Conditions

The U.S. military's THREATCON system identifies five levels of alert:

NORMAL
Condition: Normal terrorism risk.
Response: Regular security procedures.

ALPHA
Condition: A general, unpredictable terrorist threat exists, perhaps because some event has increased chances of terrorism worldwide.
Response: May include reviewing procedures, closing some entrances, checking deliveries.

BRAVO
Condition: An increased, predictable threat is detected, but no specific target is identified.
Response: In addition to Alpha response, troops may be advised to keep a low profile, move vehicles and objects away from key buildings, lock up equipment to deter saboteurs.

CHARLIE
Condition: Major incident occurs or attack s deemed imminent.
Response: Continue Bravo measures, plus reduce entrances to base, require ID checks of all personnel, prohibit wearing uniform off-base, close all but essential entrances.

DELTA
Condition: Indicates that a specific threat against a particular target is imminent.
Response: Maintain Charlie alert, plus identify all vehicles, search briefcases, etc.
(DOD)

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In October, 2000, U.S. forces in Bahrain and Qatar were placed on Threatcon Delta for what Pentagon officials called specific and credible intelligence reports of plans for another terrorist attack.

The embassy bombing verdict has raised rather than eased terrorism fears because the people convicted are low-level members of bin Laden's alleged terror network, which has been attacking American targets with grater frequency ever since allegedly masterminding assaults on U.S. troops in Somalia.

These acts have included an aborted plan to assassinate President Clinton in Manila, the embassy bombings, a failed plot to bomb millennial celebrations on the West Coast and the attack on the USS Cole.

The State Department Wednesday also cautioned against travel to Tajikistan and said protests in Sweden could get rough.

In Tajikistan, possible incursions by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) prompted the State Department to advise Americans to "defer all travel to Tajikistan."

Similar threats in 1998 led to the suspension of operations at the U.S. embassy in the capital, Dushanbe. "Although the political climate has improved, the situation remains unpredictable," the department said Wednesday.

The department warned that Americans heading to Gothenberg, Sweden, "should exercise caution, avoid any crowds or demonstrations and monitor local media to keep informed" on protests that could accompany the European Union summit and World Summit On Sustainable Development to be held there June 14-16.

Up to 10,000 demonstrators are expected, and "as at past international meetings, there is a potential that some of the demonstrators may become disorderly or violent," the warning read.

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