International Express, Tuesday July 2, 2002International Express, Tuesday July 2, 2002
High Security after warning of Bin Laden strike this week
QUEEN TERROR ATTACK ALERT
By Patrick O'Flynn Political Editor
Security around the Queen and Prime Minister has been stepped up amid fears of a July 4 terrorist plot by Osama Bin Laden's supports.
Round-the-clock armed bodyguards were said to have been doubled for both Her Majesty and Tony Blair after specific warnings from the CIA and MI6 of a possible attack on US Independence Day on Thursday.
Britain's role as American's ally in the war on terror has led to an increased risk from Al Qaeda members operating in this country and being shielded by extreme Moslem clerics. The security services are on high alert for all possible threats - from Middle East-style "suicide bombers" on London's streets to the possibility of sniper attacks. Senior Whitehall sources on Sunday confirmed big increases in bodyguards, armed police and other additional security measures had been approved since the September 11 terror attacks.
"Security has certainly been significantly tightened around the Prime Minister.
"Of course, July 4 is a highly symbolic date and everyone is aware of that," said one source.
Another added: "People looking from outside in terms of establishing risk would no doubt put a red circle around that date for perfectly intelligent reasons. But to be honest there is a very high level of security around senior figures at all times post-September 11. The Queen is watched very, very carefully."
The Queen is understood to have a series of public engagements in South London on Thursday and intends to carry them out as normal.
Extra armed police are likely to take over surrounding office blocks and other vantage points.
Buckingham Palace won't comment on the Queen's security.
Mr Blair will also undertake his normal working duties on Thursday, but Downing Street now refuses to disclose his movements in advance.
On Sunday US Secretary of State Colin Powell admitted a variety of intelligence reports "suggest we ought to be especially vigilant as we go into the Fourth of July season". In the course of the next couple of days, we'll be meeting on a regular basis to make an assessment of any additional threats that might be coming our way," he said.
Condoleezza Rice, the US president's national security adviser, said: "A lot of preparations are being made ... to try and secure obvious sites.
She added: "It is a time for enhanced vigilance."
It was claimed Bin Laden was alive as of late December, which means he survived a US assault on caves in Tora Bora in Afghanistan.
America's Time magazine reported that a letter from Bin Laden was found on his operations chief Abu Zubaydah when he was arrested in Pakistan in March. The hand-written note urges Zubaydah to continue fighting the US even if something happens to Bin Laden.
Other papers seized in Zubayday's hideaway in Faisalabad, Pakistan, include plans for attacks on tankers and cruise ships. Zubaydah is now in US custody.
It also emerged on Sunday that the US government has ordered military commanders to stock up on anti-radiation pills and make plans to give them to US troops should they be exposed to radioactive fallout from an attack.
Suppliers of potassium iodide say shipments to the military have increased in recent months amid fears of new terror threats.