Ridge Announces Security Alert

<br>WASHINGTON (AP)_ President Bush's homeland security chief asked Americans again to go on a high state of alert Monday, citing threats of more terrorist attacks, probably around ``important religious

Monday, December 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP)_ President Bush's homeland security chief asked Americans again to go on a high state of alert Monday, citing threats of more terrorist attacks, probably around ``important religious observations'' this month.

Federal officials said the alert should continue at least through the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge did not mention Ramadan specifically but said such threats had come up before around ``important religious observations in other faiths.''

``Now is not the time to back off,'' Ridge said. ``Obviously, the further we're removed from Sept. 11, the natural tendency is to let down our guard. We cannot do that. We are a nation at war.''

Ramadan's end, which can vary from country to country, will come in mid-December.

Monday's warning was the third issued by the FBI. The agency issued two others on Oct. 11 and Oct. 29.