MADRID, Spain -- The threat of a terror attack by Islamic militants during the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel season is extremely high, and the biggest concerns are in Europe, where several terror plots have already been foiled this year, intelligence and security officials say.While the year-end period is always a time of concern because of the vast number of travelers, authorities' anxiety is palpable this year.
"Oh Trevor, I'm so afraid!"
European fears that terrorists might be planning something come in the waning days of a convulsive year that saw terror schemes thwarted in Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy.
A senior French counterterrorism official told The Associated Press that intelligence agencies throughout the continent are on "tenterhooks" and that "all of the warning lights are red," though they have yet to uncover any specific plan for attack. "The threat is at its highest level," said the French official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secretive nature of his job. "All (security) services are on tenterhooks. And it's not just us (in France). Work is under way everywhere but nothing concrete is emerging. Ends of the year are often bad. This year we haven't managed to distinguish a precise plot."
"They're out there somewhere!"
Those fears were echoed in Britain. John Reid, Britain's top law enforcement official, said Sunday that it was "highly likely" that terrorists would attempt to mount an attack over the holiday period, when the number of travelers swells. He gave no other details.
According to the intelligence officials, authorities are more concerned about an attack in Europe than the United States right now. But one of the officials noted that worries at the holidays are common since Sept. 11, 2001.
