Vocabulary. Read the article again, find the following words and word combinations in the text and learn their meaning. Use these words in the further discussion of the problem.

To intercept smth, to hijack an airliner, restricted airspace/area, to overreact, a sore point for smb, credibility, drastic (security) measures, to disrupt a plot, to whip up (fears), a display of (vigilance), to deter smb.

Discussion

1. Do you think there might have been a major terrorist attack in the USA at Christmas 2004?

2. Comment on the quotation: “When you prevent something, you may never know you prevented it.”

3. Do you think the National Security Agency ‘overreacted’ when they issued the Code Orange alert over Christmas 2004?

4. Do you think disinformation supplied by terrorist groups might lead to slack security? Why?

5. How long do you think security services can be kept at high-alert status?

6. Do you think the 6-year-old child tracked down by French authorities at the request of the US security officials might have difficulty entering the USA in future?

7. Do you think businesses which sustained losses due to drastic security measures will some day come out against security services?

Role play.

It is January 3, 2004. A press conference is being held in Washington because it has been reported that the Code Orange alert will remain for at least two more weeks, and possibly even longer.

Role 1. You are Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. Describe the situation in the country after Christmas and give your reasons for the drastic security measures you decided to take. Explain what could (might/may) have happened if you hadn’t increased the alert status.

Role 2. You are John Smith, an Interpol officer invited to Washington for help. You don’t share Tom Ridge’s fears and you aren’t exactly impressed with the performance of the National Security Agency. Besides, you are more than a little annoyed by this ‘invitation’ because you had to give up a holiday in Switzerland you had been planning to spend with your family. Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of criticizing the Homeland Security Agency. Explain why you think the attack can’t have taken place.

Role 3. You are Ahmed al Rashid, a representative of Middle Eastern immigrants. You are quite indignant and deeply concerned about the future of immigrants in the USA, and especially about their rights and freedoms. Say what might (may/could) happen if the National Security Agency doesn’t change its counter-terrorism methods.

Role 4 (5 …) You are correspondents (of the CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, etc.). Find out as many details as possible about the security situation in the USA and later (as if you were making a newsreel) report the press conference giving the gist of what was said.

Professional Reading

17. Read the following article very carefully. You must achieve complete understanding of the text, so use a dictionary by all means. While reading, find the following words and word combinations in the text and learn their meaning. Use these words in the further discussion of the problem.

To be referred to as …, to reside in …, to torture smb, an informed source, a foreign national, to tie smb into knots, to bring smth to a halt, to confront smb (directly), to give smb a lead, a small fry, to be lured into smth, to break down a conspiracy.