SHOW: WORLD NEWS TONIGHT WITH PETER JENNINGS (06:30 PM ET) - ABC December 06, 2004
Terror Attack Us Consulate In Jeddah
PETER JENNINGS, ABC NEWS
(Off Camera) In Saudi Arabia, US and Saudi officials are trying to figure out what they might have done differently or better to prevent five heavily-armed men from getting on to the grounds of the US consulate in Jeddah. No Americans were killed and the attackers only got so far. But as the president said today, the terrorists are still on the move. Here's ABC's Brian Ross.
BRIAN ROSS, ABC NEWS
(Voice Over) The smoke and fire over the compound wall for the first signs that America was under attack again. The five men hit just before noon, at a side entrance of the consulate's heavily-guarded 30-acre compound. US officials say they tried to plow their way into the compound by rear-ending a US staff car that had just been cleared for entry through the elaborate security barricade. The barricade went back up and the attackers then ran through the compound on foot, throwing grenades and firing with automatic weapons. Saudi troops responded and the five non-US employees who were killed died in what turned into a drawn-out gun battle. Three of the attackers were killed and two were captured.
RICHARD ARMITAGE, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE
It's quite clear that those terrorists who attacked our consulate in Jeddah had observed our procedures for some time. Clearly, we'll do an after-action report. And we'll take any remedial activity that is necessary.
BRIAN ROSS
(Voice Over) The US consulate in Jeddah has gone through two extensive security upgrades. ABC News military affairs consultant Tony Cordesman is in Saudi Arabia.
TONY CORDESMAN, ABC NEWS MILITARY CONSULTANT
(Off Camera) We need to understand that while we've improved security in the embassies, if they're to function, they're not fortresses, they're never going to be immune to acts of terrorism.
BRIAN ROSS
(Voice Over) Saudi officials said the terrorists were likely part of the al Qaeda cell which has previously pulled off much larger and more deadly attacks in the kingdom.
JOHN PIKE, DIRECTOR, GLOBALSECURITY.ORG
The fact that this was their best shot, and that it had such a limited impact, I think indicates how hard some of these facilities have become to attack.
BRIAN ROSS
(Voice Over) But the attack is being praised tonight on websites often connected to al Qaeda. Says one, "I can tell from what's happened today that the cell has woken up." Reads another, "thanks be to God, tear the Americans and the crusaders who support them."
BRIAN ROSS
(Off Camera) Since the attacks against two US embassies in Africa in 1998, the US has spent billions of dollars to enhance security at its facilities around the world. But today's attack, Peter, demonstrates that money and concrete still don't make Americans safe.
PETER JENNINGS
(Off Camera) Many thanks, Brian. Brian Ross in Washington tonight.
© Copyright 2004, American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
