◆ SpookStack

SECRET/NOFORN/ORCOI To: All Field Offices From: Counterterrorism. Re: 199N-ny-257503, 4/13/2001 level of planning and activity may be underway which may presage. one or more attacks. Indications of terrorist planning and logistical preparation in recent weeks seem to focus on Saudi Arabia and Israel as possible target locations. U.s. interests in Saudi Arabia, particularly U.s. military interests, remain UBL's preferred target. Al-Qaeda associated personnel also are reported to be stepping up efforts to conduct possible attacks in Israel. The reporting available on Al-Qaeda operations possibly being planned for Israel contains no information on specific targets. The current reporting suggesting the increased level of threat warning is a compilation of b3 b7E (U (S/nr) The Al-Qaeda organization and associated. extremists are known to be searching worldwide for security vulnerabilities which might enable a successful attack against U.S. facilities or personnel. Lack of reporting is not indicative of reduced risk as, in addition to the areas discussed above, Sunni extremists are known to have associates located in many areas worldwide. As demonstrated by the attack on the uss Cole, they are capable of long term surveillance and planning in. a target area that enables them to recognize and exploit vulnerabilities, including those that have a limited window of. opportunity. Historically, attack planning and execution have taken at least 'several months. {U) Al-Qaeda operatives, including Abu Zubaida, have been involved in operational planning in several different geographic locations. Reports have noted the continued movement of personnel and material between Afghanistan and the Arabian peninsula, as well as between Afghanistan and Europe. Additionally, reporting implied that support activities must be completed in the next few weeks, but did not address specific dates.. (S/nr) Multiple sources indicate that UBL's organization'may be in the advanced planning stages of a terrorist attack against U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia. The reporting involves movement of terrorists from Afghanistan following training there. Furthermore, explosives and arms are being smuggled into Saudi Arabia for use against U.s. and Western targets. However, the Intelligence Community has been unable to narrow the list of potential targets. It should be noted that although uBL's stated preference for military targets, other targets could include U.s. diplomatic facilities. Other possible targets could include commercial establishments and/or businesses which would be prominently be identified as American.. SECRET/NOFORN/ORCON- REBUTTAL DOCS - CSS #10 000000014