unday September 23 5:45 AM ET

Report: U.S. Warns of Chance of Attack This Week

TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States has warned its allies of a possible second round of attacks by the end of this week following the deadly strikes on New York and Washington, Jiji news agency quoted Japanese government sources as saying.

The next round of attacks could be on a greater scale than the assaults by hijacked aircraft on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (news - web sites), according to information provided to Japan by Washington, Jiji reported.

The news agency quoted the sources as saying on Saturday that the ``means of terrorism'' would be ``more cruel and shocking'' than the September 11 carnage, which left more than 6,800 either dead or missing.

The report could not be confirmed by the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, which said it was not aware of any new information regarding the possibility of another attack.

``We have no further information beyond what was in the last State Department worldwide caution,'' U.S. embassy spokesman Patrick Linehan said.

The State Department's worldwide travel caution issued after the September 11 attacks said the government remained concerned about information it received in May that Americans may be the target of a ``terrorist threat'' from groups with links to Osama bin Laden (news - web sites), who the U.S. government says is the prime suspect in the attacks in New York and Washington.

JAPAN ON GUARD

Washington suspects that a group led by fugitive Saudi-born millionaire bin Laden has been contemplating attacks using biological and chemical weapons, such as sarin nerve gas, for years, according to the sources quoted by Jiji.

The United States has information that the group has already acquired small airplanes to spray bacteria causing smallpox or anthrax from the air, Jiji quoted the sources as saying.

The targets of the possible attacks were unknown but possibilities included members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO (news - web sites)) and Pakistan, Jiji said.

Time magazine reported on Saturday that investigators had found a crop-dusting manual during a search for those responsible for the attacks on New York and Washington, triggering concern that crop-dusting planes might be used for chemical or biological assaults.

The FBI (news - web sites) in Washington said it had not seen the report and had no comment on it.

The government sources said attacks on Japan could not be ruled out since Tokyo has expressed support for U.S. retaliation against the September 11 strikes.

Japan's public security authorities have gone on heightened alert since receiving the information from the United States.

``The government of Japan is firmly resolved to strive for the eradication of terrorism. At the same time, Japan strongly supports the United States and is determined to do its utmost to offer assistance and cooperation,'' Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on Sunday at a memorial ceremony for the victims of the attacks.

Koizumi, who leaves for Washington on Monday for a meeting with President Bush (news - web sites) the next day, said Japan would contribute $10 million to support rescue and relief efforts.

Koizumi has also said his government would take steps to allow Japan to provide logistical support in any military retaliation against the attacks, by dispatching troops to provide medical services as well as supplying and transporting unspecified items to support U.S. forces.

-- (gas masks for sale @ $10,000. each), September 24, 2001

Answers

Were the markets in Tokyo closed because of this?

-- hmmm (no signs @ of. life), September 24, 2001.

Just great, If Time reported that then they are doing what the terrorests wanted to achieve...bringing fear into the hearts of Americans every waking moment. Even into their nightmares. Can't any media try to be even the least bit responsable and try not to feed the fear that already surrounds us?

-- Cherri (jessam6@home.com), September 24, 2001.

If you read the story more carefully Cherri, you will see that it was the Japanese government who told their news media what our goverment has told them.

Apparently the Japanese government tells their people the truth. Unlike our government, who knew in advance that threats had been made of attacks against NY and Washington. Since they did not know how to deal with it, they figured it was better to cover their own ass rather than protect the thousands who died. Except for Dumbya, who went running off to his Texas ranch for a month, and golfing in Florida, and anywhere but Washington.

-- (Dumbya knew about it @ but profits come. before people), September 24, 2001.

Your village is missing its idiot

-- (Roland@hatemail.com), September 24, 2001.