For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 30, 2003
Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge on Lowering the Threat Level
May 30th - The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation
with the Homeland Security Council, has lowered the national threat
level from Code Orange or high risk of terrorist attack to Code Yellow
or an elevated risk of terrorist attack.
This decision is based upon a number of factors including a review
of the intelligence and assessment of threats. The U.S. intelligence
community has also concluded that the number of indicators and warnings
that led to raising the level have decreased and the heightened
vulnerability associated with the Memorial Day holiday has passed.
The lowering of the threat level is not a signal to government, law
enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist attack has
passed. The U.S. intelligence community remains concerned that
Al-Qaida is attempting to exploit our weaknesses and believes that the
United States and its interests are still at a significant risk of
terrorist attack.
Visible security does serve as a deterrent and for this reason and
for the safety and security of our nation, we will continue to have
security measures in place at federal facilities and other key areas of
the country. I encourage the nation's governors, mayors and other
local officials to remain vigilant during this period of elevated level
of threat.
America has significantly more security measures in place now at
Code Yellow compared to last year. More and more of our partners in
the federal, state and local governments, and the private sector have
adopted the homeland security advisory system and have identified
protective measures to strengthen security and reduce the nation's
vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
We wish to thank all federal, state and local government and public
safety officials, representatives of the private sector, and individual
citizens for your patience and resolve. Know that your efforts are
making a difference. Through this partnership, we send a signal to
those who would do us harm that America stands alert, united, and
ready.
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