da europeans are coming!

Ashcroft aalso warned last week that terrorists may not have a typical look and that "the face of al Qaeda may be changing."

"Our intelligence confirms al Qaeda is seeking recruits who can portray themselves as Europeans," he said.

Separately, government officials repeated that "upwards of 5,000 interviews" are expected to be conducted as part of the FBI's effort to thwart terrorism this summer.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/03/terror.threat/

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ashcroft transcript http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/05/26/terror.threat.transcript/

The Madrid railway bombings were perceived by Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda to have advanced their cause. Al Qaeda may perceive that a large-scale attack in the United States this summer or fall would lead to similar consequences.

These are the seven individuals whom we are seeking. Each of these seven individuals is known to have a desire and the ability to undertake planning, facilitation and attack against the United States whether it be within the United States itself or overseas.

ASHCROFT: Well, we know some of them to be very adept at the variety of things that are necessary for the achievement of an attack in the United States. Some of them are very familiar with the United States. Obviously, several of them by having lived here, been educated here, speak English well, understand the country well. Those are very important things.

ASHCROFT: We do not have specific information about the origin of a specific terrorist plan. We do believe that Al Qaeda plans to attack the United States, and that is a result of intelligence that is corroborated on a variety of levels. But we are not aware of details of a plan.

ASHCROFT: Well, this is intelligence that is developing intelligence. It continues to be a subject of our interest. I think it's fair to say that this is intelligence that has come in over time. So this isn't a one shot or other thing. And as we have intelligence, we adjust our behavior.

I want to address the first aspect of your question, though. You asked about specific cities. And I think it's fair to say that we do not have intelligence that leads us to specific location in regard to this threat which we see this summer and fall.
And second, we need the public, both in the United States and -- I'll emphasize -- overseas to be on the lookout for these seven individuals.