WASHINGTON - A US counter terrorism official said Friday authorities had information suggesting Islamic extremists were planning to attack US targets in Germany with bombs and small arms.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the information was not specific in terms of timing or precise targets, but was of enough concern to prompt the US Embassy in Berlin to issue a threat warning April 20.
Asked whether the threat involved attacks with bombs and small arms, the official said, "Threat information is suggesting that is a possibility. But again the information wasn't specific with regard to timing and location."
The official said it was not clear whether US military installations in Germany were targeted.
"That's something that people are concerned that could possibly be a target, but you also couldn't rule out the possibility of a soft targets, where people congregate," he said.
The official said the information "was really referenced more to Islamic extremists," that Al-Qaeda specifically.
"There was sufficient concern that the State Department thought it was necessary and appropriate to put out an advisory several weeks ago," he said.
The US Embassy in Germany posted a "warden's message" April 20 on its website, announcing that US diplomatic and consular facilities in the country were increasing their security.
"We are taking these steps in response to a heightened threat situation," it said. "The US Embassy encourages Americans in Germany to increase their vigilance and take appropriate steps to bolster their own personal security."
US officials on Friday appeared keen to play down US television reports Friday that an Al-Qaeda plot to attack Americans in Germany was imminent.
The warning went generally unnoticed by the US media when it was posted last month although it was reported in Germany.
The German newspaper Der Taggespiegel said at the time that an extremist Iraqi group, Ansar al Sunna, was planning attacks on US citizens and facilities in Germany.
It said members of the group had been spying on US facilities in southern Germany.
Ansar al Sunna, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for attacks in Iraq including bombings in northern Iraq in May 2005 in which 84 people were killed.
05/11/2007 18:39 GMT