FBI says vague, uncorroborated retaliation threat received against Texas schools

By CONNIE MABIN
Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN, Texas – The FBI warned Wednesday that is has learned of a vague threat suggesting that two people might retaliate against Texas schools for the U.S. bombing in Afghanistan.

FBI agent Bob Doguim said the threat has not been corroborated and did not specify a school or what type of retaliation might take place.

"Basically as vague as I gave it, is as vague as we have it," Doguim said in Houston. "This is coming to us from a foreign government. We are working with them to try and determine the reliability of it."

Doguim said the FBI informed Texas' Homeland Security Task Force, which began informing public and private schools and colleges and universities late Tuesday.

David Dewhurst, the task force chairman, said he was told by the FBI that schools in Texas and another state had been threatened.

He declined to name the other state and said he didn't know any specifics about the threat. He did not recommend parents keep children home from school.

"We've got to get on with our lives," he said.

In recent months, authorities have notified the public of other threats of terrorism, but the attacks never happened.

In early November, California said it had received a threat of rush-hour attacks against four bridges. Gov. Gray Davis was criticized for disclosing the threat.

AP-WS-12-12-01 1417EST