U.S. raises alert level amid "copycat" concerns(from "elevated" to "high")

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07283292.htm

WRAPUP 3-U.S. raises alert level amid "copycat" concerns
07 Jul 2005 19:51:47 GMT

Source: Reuters

(Adds fresh Chertoff comments, Muslim reaction)

WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - The United States raised its terrorism alert level from "elevated" to "high" for buses, subways and trains on Thursday amid concerns of copycat attacks following deadly bombings in London.

Federal officials said they swiftly contacted local authorities and urged commuters to be alert after four blasts in London killed at least 37 people. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was an apparent terrorist attack coinciding with a meeting of Group of Eight leaders in Scotland.

"We feel that, at least in the short term, we should raise the (alert) level here because, obviously, we're concerned about the possibility of a copycat attack," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told a news conference.

He said he had no specific, credible information of an imminent attack but that al Qaeda and its affiliates remained bent on targeting Europe and the United States. Chertoff did not say who he thought was behind the London blasts.

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