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FBI advisory says fuel trucks may be targets

From Kelli Arena and Jeanne Meserve
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI says terrorists connected with al Qaeda might try to use explosives-laden trucks to ram fuel tanker trucks in New York, Los Angeles, California, or Chicago, Illinois, between now and Sept. 19.

The advisory to law enforcement personnel, issued by the field office in Los Angeles, said it is likely some of the vehicles involved would be hijacked. The goal of such an attack would be the collapse of the U.S. economy.

Several U.S. government officials stressed, however, that there is no corroboration of this threat information.

U.S. Department of transportation statistics indicate that there are more than 400,000 shipments by truck of flammable liquids each day nationwide.

New York is expected to be the host for numerous dignitaries during the week of September 12, when the United Nations holds its 60th anniversary celebration.

One government official described the intelligence regarding this potential threat as "terribly questionable" and "not very credible."

A Homeland Security official said, "The information is uncorroborated and from a source of questionable reliability. The information continues to be evaluated."

One official said it is unclear if the plot would involve simultaneous attacks or several over a period of time.

The FBI has attempted to ensure counterterrorism information is quickly shared among authorities after being criticized in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks for not doing enough to prevent terrorist attacks.

Since then, there has been increased concern about an attack involving a truck bomb on U.S. soil.

Law enforcement officials are now watching for suspicious trucks and have imposed restrictions on truck parking in areas of New York and Washington.

On July 16, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near a propane fuel tanker parked near a gas station south of Baghdad, killing at least 60 people and wounding as many as 100.

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