Chertoff bases it on history and al-Qaeda statements

In an unusually blunt and frank assessment of America's terror threat level, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in Chicago this morning that his "gut feeling" is the nation faces a heightened chance of an attack this summer.

"I believe we are entering a period this summer of increased risk," Chertoff told the Chicago Tribune's editorial board. Calling it "a gut feeling" based on past patterns of terrorists in Europe, recent al-Qaeda statements and intelligence he did not disclose, Chertoff said of terrorists: "Summertime seems to be appealing to them. ... We worry that they are rebuilding their activities."

A recent terror plot in London and Scotland has America's defense system on alert, Chertoff said. He urged Americans to be attentive if something appears suspicious. But he said there is an assessment "not of a specific threat, but of increased vulnerability."

Noting that American forces have done a lot to destroy terrorists' leadership and capability worldwide, Chertoff said he is sure they are regrouping, retraining and rethinking.

"Our edge is technology and the vigilance of the ordinary citizen," he said.

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