No sign attack was imminent, Bush aide says

By The Associated Press

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Some documents and computer files seized in al-Qaida raids showing surveillance of U.S. financial buildings had been accessed for unknown purposes this spring, months later than previously disclosed, the official said.

The seized records included surveillance reports of financial buildings in New York, Washington and Newark, N.J., during 2000 and 2001, which prompted warnings Aug. 1 about possible threats to those buildings.

But nothing in the documents has suggested an attack was planned soon, the officials said.

"I have not seen an indication of an imminent operation," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Investigators are still poring over seized information.

Another administration official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the White House would have issued the terror alerts even had it known the surveillance documents did not point to an imminent operation.

The first official said unspecified intelligence indicates al-Qaida's plans for an attack before the election were "more than merely aspirational" but declined to be more specific.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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