Justice Issues New Threat Alert

W A S H I N G T O N, Oct. 30 -- A flurry of intelligence intercepts of suspected terrorist communications have prompted top law enforcement officials to warn the nation to prepare for a new terrorist attack this week.

"The administration has concluded, based on information developed, that there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States and against United States interests over the next week," Attorney General John Ashcroft said Monday. "The administration views this information as credible, but unfortunately it does not contain specific information as to the type of attack or specific targets."

More than 18,000 law enforcement agencies around the nation were sent a "terrorist threat advisory update" cautioning them to "continue on highest alert and to notify immediately the FBI of any unusual or suspicious activity." Agencies responsible for borders and nuclear power plants, along with virtually every other arm of the federal government, were ordered to take additional security measures.

The FAA today issued a notice barring planes from flying within a 10-mile radius of all nuclear power plants.

Warning Based on New Information

Sources tell ABCNEWS the warning is based on calls made by suspected terrorist groups, including some that emanated from Afghanistan, that were intercepted by U.S. intelligence over the weekend. The calls referred to a "big event" that is coming up, using a codeword to describe the event consistently in a series of calls.

ABCNEWS counterterrorism consultant Vince Cannistraro reports evidence that such an attack is being set up is "overwhelming." But officials do not discount the possibility that electronic transmissions they are monitoring might be a form of deception.

Intelligence officials say their key concern is the next 72 hours.

"We are not recycling old stuff," a senior Bush administration official told ABCNEWS. "It is information that has been received in the last 24 and the last 48 hours. It is not just one piece of information but several pieces of information."