Security marks first Independence Day since 9/11

As Americans celebrate their first Independence Day since September 11, jet fighters will patrol the skies over major cities and plainclothes FBI agents will be on hand, and on high alert.

There have been vague intelligence warnings of an attack by terrorists in the US on July the Fourth. An opinion poll last month showed that more than half of Americans thought one was likely.

But the FBI said there was no specific threat against a target in the United States. Some US embassies overseas were cancelling parties, however.

‘‘When the American people gather in large numbers, it can become something of a target for people who want to do us harm,’’ White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said yesterday.

The military was temporarily relaunching the combat air patrols that flew over Washington and New York after September 11, but were scaled back in April.

A new round-the-clock Homeland Security Coordination Centre will monitor nearly 2,100 medium and large Independence Day events across the country.

In Washington, fireworks are expected to attract 500,000 people to the National Mall, where Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry and Aaron Carter are headlining ‘‘A Capitol Fourth’’.

President George Bush planned to host an invited crowd at the White House after spending the day with war veterans today.

The command centre in Washington, with open lines to each of those celebrations, will be staffed by special liaisons from the FBI, Secret Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Health and Human Services.

The FBI is requiring its 56 field offices to monitor events in their regions, using several forms of electronic surveillance as well as the deployment of field agents - both apparent and undercover - to circulate among crowds.

In Washington, a double line of snow fencing has been installed around the 146 acres of the Mall, the White House and nearby monuments. Teams of law enforcement officers equipped with hand-held metal detectors will man 24 security checkpoints, searching bags, backpacks and purses.

‘‘If you see something that looks out of place, let one of us know,’’ said US Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, encouraging people to use their mobile phones to dial the emergency services if necessary.