Secretary Chertoff: Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. This morning we are closely monitoring the bombings that occurred in London. I have spoken to the President and my counterpart, the Home Secretary in the United Kingdom. The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the victims of this tragedy and with our friends in Britain.

In light of today's attacks in London, the United States government is raising the threat level from Code Yellow, or Elevated, to Code Orange, High; targeted only to the mass transit portion of the transportation sector -- and I want to emphasize that -- targeted only to the mass transit portion of the transportation sector. This includes regional and inner city passenger rail, subways, and metropolitan bus systems. We are also asking for increased vigilance throughout the transportation sector.

Currently, the United States has no specific, credible information suggesting an imminent attack here in the United States. However, we know the tactics and methods of terrorists as demonstrated by the horrific rail bombings last year in Madrid. The intent of al Qaeda and its affiliated organizations to attack in Europe and in the United States has been well documented and continues to be reflected in intelligence reporting.

We've already taken additional measures to secure transit systems since 9/11, and since the railway bombing in Madrid. At the direction of the President, we are working with the Department of Transportation, our other federal partners, state and local officials, and transportation authorities to take all necessary precautions and to increase the security of our transportation citizens -- systems and the citizens who ride them.

We have asked state and local leaders and transportation officials to increase their protective measures, including additional law enforcement police, bomb detecting canine teams, increased video surveillance, spot-testing in certain areas, added perimeter barriers, extra intrusion detection equipment, and increased numbers of inspection of trash receptacles and other storage areas.

We ask the public to remain alert and to report any suspicious activity, particularly in or around transportation systems to local police authorities. But we are not suggesting that people avoid public transportation systems; rather we are asking that they use those systems, but with an increased awareness of their surroundings.

We have been in continuous contact with federal, state and local authorities, as well as with our allies in the United Kingdom and overseas. We are concerned and we look to the United Kingdom authorities as they continue to investigate this incident. We are reviewing intelligence streams and information out of London very closely and will continue to provide regular updates to the public when information becomes available.

Again, our thoughts and prayers are with the British people and the grieving families. America stands with you in this time of crisis to assist and support you in every way possible. Terrorists may bomb and attack and attempt to use weapons of fear to shake the confidence and will of free nations and free people, but they will not succeed. We have a more powerful arsenal. It includes our resolution and our resiliency, an unyielding determination to do what we can and must to keep our citizens and our allies safe, and to track down those who perpetrate incidents like this and to bring them to justice.