FC: FBI posts "skyfall" terrorism alert, says, oops, we'll rename

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,47510,00.html
   
   FBI Warns of 'Skyfall' Attack
   By Declan McCullagh (declan () wired com)
   2:35 p.m. Oct. 11, 2001 PDT
   
   WASHINGTON -- In a brief but dramatic statement, the FBI warned
   Thursday that Americans should expect additional terrorist attacks.
   
   A two-sentence press release on FBI.gov said there "may be additional
   terrorist attacks within the United States and against U.S. interests
   overseas over the next several days."
   
   The content was disturbing enough, but even stranger was the Web
   address of the press release:
   http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/skyfall.htm.
   
   Just what did the FBI mean by inserting the word "skyfall" into a
   description of a press release? Was it a reference to the 1970s-era
   disaster novel entitled Skyfall, or a hint that the bureau was
   remembering the children's tale in which Chicken Little warned of
   calamity -- but was not believed?
   
   A harried FBI spokeswoman who had been deluged with calls about
   "skyfall" said the answer was none of the above -- and the press
   release soon would be renamed.

   [...]

http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/skyfall.htm

   For Immediate Release
   October 11, 2001

   Washington D.C.
   FBI National Press Office

     Certain information, while not specific as to target, gives the
     government reason to believe that there may be additional terrorist
     attacks within the United States and against U.S. interests
     overseas over the next several days. The FBI has again alerted all
     local law enforcement to be on the highest alert and we call on all
     people to immediately notify the FBI and local law enforcement of
     any unusual or suspicious activity.

     ###



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