Jan 6, 2005
U.S. Hears Lull in Terror Threat "chatter," Ridge Says
By Lara Jakes Jordan
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. intelligence monitors are picking up less terror threat talk than a year ago, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Thursday, but he warned that terrorists could be merely lying low before striking again.

"There certainly is a diminution, reduction in the amount of intelligence, and the decibel level is lower," Ridge said, comparing information picked up over the past several months to a similar period a year ago.

Ridge offered no single explanation for the drop, saying it could be stepped-up U.S. efforts to boost security, increase military action and disrupt terrorist leaders and their finances or, simply, the "hardening of America."

"Could be any of those and none of those," he said. "I suspect it's probably all of them."

He called the terrorists "strategic actors and long-range planners" who could be biding their time before another attack.

The information lull comes at the tail end of a political season that drew a warning from Ridge last summer that terrorists might try to disrupt the election process.

Ridge plans to leave his office Feb. 1, though the White House has not yet picked his successor.

David Heyman, director of the homeland security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said the drop in terror threat "chatter" could also be the result of terrorists' tactical changes in operation and communication for heightened secrecy.

"We had a lot of chatter and there were no attacks," Heyman said. "Now that there's no chatter - does that mean there will be no attack, or is there something else we should be concerned about? I don't think we have enough information to conclude what it means."

As for Ridge's replacement, the secretary said only that he had discussed several candidates with the White House. Former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, the initial pick, withdrew last month because of an immigration problem with a housekeeper-nanny.

Ridge said Capitol Hill turf battles among various committees and lawmakers could prevent a central Homeland Security oversight process for years.

He also said Yusuf Islam, once a popular singer known as Cat Stevens, is still barred from entering the country. The singer was removed from a London-to-Washington flight in September because of suspected links to terrorists - a claim he has strongly denied.

"The reasons we rejected him several months ago still exist in my mind," Ridge said.

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On the Net:

U.S. Homeland Security Department: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

AP-ES-01-06-05 1726EST

This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBN4AGIN3E.html

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So, maybe they outsmarted the govt? Maybe there is an attack this month?
Maybe there all dead?

This admin is so far out of touch with everything!

you wonder how much of this they make up

True, it's amazing how quiet it is, since after the election, boy these people are sick with their scare tactics.

They want everyone at the inaugeration!

What happened to the color alerts for attacks? the election must be over.

hope it's not the calm before the storm. <_<

It was changed to this

Don't you hear that giant sucking sound... ? I would guess not, that's the sound (nothing) of freedom and democracy being sucked from the lungs of Liberty? Sure it's quiet... sound doesn't travel in a vacuum... can't even hear the screams.

maybe a very large tsunami will wash away Washington DC on January 20?

and the chatter will increase the next time BushCo's ratings dip and/or he gets busted on something

The need for fear is reduced. Bush doesn't need to be re-elected any more, no reason to scare the American public into staying away from the shopping malls.

QUOTE

U.S. Hears Lull in Terror Threat "chatter," Ridge Says

Of course! Election's over.