AQ USA VA Hospitals

I just read this and am passing it on in here. Karmen

Al Qaeda May Target Veterans
Hospitals, U.S. Says

2 hours, 48 minutes ago

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Al Qaeda and other Islamic militant
groups may be considering attacks against Veterans Affairs hospitals in
the United States, U.S. law enforcement officials said.

Citing reports of "suspicious activity" at VA hospitals in Colorado and
Bethesda, Maryland, the FBI (news - web sites) and Department of
Homeland Security issued a bulletin on Thursday urging law enforcement
agencies around the country to be vigilant.

The agencies stressed they had no credible information about any
specific planned attacks.

U.S. officials have warned of possible attacks in the run-up to
presidential elections in November. On Aug. 1 they raised the terror alert
to "high" for financial institutions in New York, New Jersey and
Washington.

Al Qaeda and affiliated groups may be eyeing Veterans Affairs hospitals
as symbolic targets, believing they are less heavily defended than
traditional military installations, the agencies said.

"These facilities may be considered attractive targets due to their
association with the military and a perception that such an attack may
be more successful than an attack against traditional military targets,"
the agencies said.

They said concern was sparked by reports of possible reconnaissance
being conducted at military medical facilities, including hospitals in
Bethesda, a suburb of Washington, D.C., and Aurora, Colorado.

It advised officials to watch for signs of "similar surveillance activities at
VA hospitals and other key facilities."