Home>News Center>World
         
 

Agency probes possible terror threat leak
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-14 20:21

The Homeland Security Department is investigating whether department officials privately tipped off relatives or friends about last week's subway terrorism threat before the public was given the news, officials said Thursday.

The probe was announced as Gov. George Pataki and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly raised concerns about the possible leak, first reported in the Daily News.

"Obviously it's disturbing; it's just not right," Pataki said after an official appearance in midtown Manhattan also attended by Kelly. "The public should know at the same time. ... There should not be limited public notification to a handful of people, or people who might be otherwise politically connected."

The Daily News reported Thursday that police had obtained copies of personal e-mails that alluded to an alleged al-Qaida plot, and had forwarded them to federal officials.

A Homeland Security spokesman in Washington, Russ Knocke, said an internal investigation was under way. "We take any potential leak of sensitive or classified information very seriously," he said.

When FBI and police officials went public with the threat Oct. 6, Homeland Security downplayed it, saying it was "of doubtful credibility." After four days of high alert, local officials announced Monday there was no clear evidence an attack would be carried out and scaled back the protection.

"It's ironic that on the one hand the department is saying this is not a credible threat and then, if these e-mails are true, people within the department with access to classified information felt it was worth contacting their own families," said Rep. Peter King (news, bio, voting record), R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

The e-mails began circulating Oct. 3 — three days before Kelly and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced they were putting thousands of extra police officers on patrol in the subways in response to the possible plot to bomb the subway using briefcases or baby strollers packed with explosives.

The Daily News quoted one e-mail — purportedly penned by the unnamed son of a high-ranking Homeland Security official — in which he warns recipients: "The only information I can pass on to you is that everyone should at all costs not ride the subway for the next two weeks in major areas of NYC."



Franz Muentefering to be German vice chancellor
Soyuz space capsule lands
Japanese parliament's lower house passes postal reform bills
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Another 'normal' day in space for Shenzhou VI

 

   
 

China, US fail to break impasse in textile talks

 

   
 

At least 85 killed in attacks in Russia

 

   
 

China reports 126,808 HIV/AIDS cases

 

   
 

Snow asks China to open finance industry

 

   
 

Lethal bird flu hits Turkey; Europe on alert

 

   
  At least 85 killed in attacks in Russia
   
  Saddam to claim sovereign immunity - lawyer
   
  Lethal bird flu hits Turkey; Europe on alert
   
  Schroeder aide tapped as foreign minister
   
  Japan PM's postal reform plans set to clear final hurdle
   
  Thatcher marks 80th birthday with big bash
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement