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For Immediate Release
November 14, 2002

Deputy Press Secretary Discusses Threat Level

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> While there is no plan at this time to raise the threat level, > we do remain concerned about recent intelligence reporting, as well as > the audio tape received earlier this week, no matter whose voice it is > that is on that audio tape. > =09 > Because of this concern, federal agencies are taking a variety > of additional steps to ramp up our protection and prevention measures, > as well as communicating with state and local law enforcement and the > private sector to inform them of our assessment of the latest > information. =20 > =09 > If you'll recall, in early October, there was a release of tapes > recorded by bin Laden, as well as Zawahiri, and increased intelligence > reporting against our critical infrastructure, transportation systems, > and the American people and our friends and allies. That led us to > issue several public warnings about the heightened possibility of > either a large-scale or several small-scale attacks on the United > States at home or against our interests abroad. At that time, we > began a coordinated effort among all levels of the government and the > private sector to reduce our vulnerability and increase our > preparedness levels, based on the new threat information. And that > information has not stopped and will be ongoing for the foreseeable > future. =20 >=20

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        While there is no plan at this time = to raise the threat level, we do remain concerned about recent = intelligence reporting, as well as the audio tape received earlier this = week, no matter whose voice it is that is on that audio = tape.

        =

        = Because of this concern, = federal agencies are taking a variety of additional steps to ramp up our = protection and prevention measures, as well as communicating with state = and local law enforcement and the private sector to inform them of our = assessment of the latest information. 

        =

        = If you'll recall, in early = October, there was a release of tapes recorded by bin Laden, as well as = Zawahiri, and increased intelligence reporting against our critical = infrastructure, transportation systems, and the American people and our = friends and allies.  That led us to issue several public warnings = about the heightened possibility of either a large-scale or several = small-scale attacks on the United States at home or against our = interests abroad.  At that time, we began a coordinated effort = among all levels of the government and the private sector to reduce our = vulnerability and increase our preparedness levels, based on the new = threat information.  And that information has not stopped and will = be ongoing for the foreseeable future. 

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