Thai al Qaeda 'plot' downplayed
From National Security Correspondent David Ensor
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Intelligence suggesting al Qaeda might try to target an Israeli airliner at or near Bangkok is in U.S., Israeli and Thai hands, U.S. officials say.
However, these officials are downplaying an Israeli report that a "plot" has been "foiled."
"The intelligence suggests the possibility. That threat information exists, but I would not go as far as saying there definitely was such a plot that was foiled," said a U.S. official.
Israeli television reported Tuesday that police in Thailand foiled an al Qaeda plot to launch an attack on an Israeli El Al airliner in Bangkok.
That report said three months ago Thai police arrested a man at the airport who was seen filming around the El Al counter and that a plan to attack airline passengers was recovered during a raid on the man's home.
