Nation urged to remain vigilant
(Sept. 24, 2002) -- The federal government has returned the nation's terrorist threat level to "Elevated" (yellow) from "High" (orange).
At today's daily news briefing, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the decision tstemmed from a review of intelligence, recent arrests made in U.S. and the passing of the September 11 anniversary. The President made the decision this morning to lower the threat level, Mr. Fleischer said.
He indicated that the public should remain vigilant since the nation remains at an elevated risk of a terrorist attack.
When the color code system was first implemented in March, the original level was "Elevated" but was raised to "High" on September 10 Orange.
The Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) uses five color codes to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks to all levels of government and the American people. It defines the "Elevated" threat condition as:
