Terror threat rises, but employees stay on the job

Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday raised the threat level of possible terrorist attacks against the United States from "elevated" to the "high," orange level, but directed federal employees to report to work as usual.

"We are not recommending that any events be cancelled, or that people change their domestic travel plans, or that the federal workforce not report for duty," Ashcroft said at a press conference announcing the heightened state of alert for the country and for U.S. installations abroad. The action came a day before the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Ashcroft said the decision to increase the level of alert was based on specific intelligence information from a senior al Qaeda official indicating that U.S. military installations and American diplomatic facilities abroad, particularly those located in Southeast Asia, were at high risk for terrorist attacks. Ashcroft said security has been increased at military facilities, embassies and other installations abroad.

Although the information did not include any threats against the U.S. homeland, the administration also decided to raise the level of alert inside the country.

White House Office of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said that the government will increase security personnel and surveillance at certain federal agencies and facilities. "Depending on the department…we will make adjustments to points of entry, and there will be more inspection of people and cars," he said.

Scott Hatch, director of communications at the Office of Personnel Management, said the White House has directed each federal agency to create its own security plan for the different threat levels in the terrorism alert system. The idea is that each agency "would have their own protocols that would be current and applicable" to their specific needs, Hatch said.

Hatch would not say which specific security measures OPM has taken to comply with the heightened alert, but said there would be "greater vigilance and a lot of common sense precautions to reduce vulnerabilities" at the agency.

OPM is scheduled to join with the General Services Administration and the Interior Department for an interagency ceremony on Sept. 11 to honor victims of last year's attacks. Hatch said the event will continue as planned.

The color-coded terrorism alert system, created by a presidential directive and administered by the Justice Department, is designed to help government and law enforcement officials properly gauge threats of possible terrorist attacks on the country and allocate their resources appropriately. The warning system provides guidance to federal agencies and the public.

The lowest level of alert is green, followed by blue, yellow, orange and red, which indicates a "severe risk of terrorist attacks." The country is currently operating at the orange level, meaning the administration believes there is a "high risk of terrorist attacks." Before Tuesday, the country was operating at the "elevated", or yellow level, indicating a "significant risk of terrorist attacks."

An orange alert directs federal agencies to coordinate necessary security efforts with armed forces or law enforcement agencies; take additional precautions at public events; prepare to work at an alternate site or with a dispersed workforce; and restrict access to sensitive facilities to essential personnel only.

Ashcroft urged Americans to follow their regular routines, but also to be mindful of situations and ready to report suspicious activities. "Be alert, but be defiant," he said.