DATE=05/13/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= NEW TERRORIST THREATS (S)

NUMBER=2-289752

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States has received intelligence suggesting supporters of Osama bin Laden may be plotting an attack on a U-S nuclear plant on the nation's July 4th (Independence Day) holiday. But Correspondent Nick Simeone reports officials disagree on how reliable this information reportedly received over the past week may be.

TEXT: Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, will not characterize the credibility of the reported threats, saying only that the government takes all of them seriously.

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We continue to receive information as we investigate al-Qaida in Afghanistan and gain information that indicates that they're interested in targeting our nuclear facilities.

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The Washington Times newspaper quotes U-S intelligence sources as saying Islamic terrorists are planning an attack against a U-S nuclear plant somewhere in the Northeast to coincide with Independence Day celebrations. But other officials, who have asked not to be identified, describe the sources of the information as less than credible and certainly not solid enough to warrant issuing a new warning to the public or a change in the nation's overall security alert status. (SIGNED)

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