The terrorist efforts ``underscore the necessity of remaining vigilant against terrorism,'' the president said.

The president went ahead with weekend campaign appearances.

Obama's sobering assessment, delivered from the White House podium, unfolded four days before national elections in which discussion of terrorism has played almost no role. The are asked to call Chicago Police if any delivery is attempted.įBI spokesman Ross Rice added that while there are no identifiable or specific threats to the Chicago area, all churches, synagogues and mosques in the area are being warned to be vigilant for unsolicited or unexpected packages, especially those originating from overseas locations. The organization is also advising local synagogues to take precautions, Haase said.Ī law enforcement source tells CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine the word is out to synagogues in Chicago not to accept UPS packages from east of New York. Friday, and officials there are 'taking proper precautions,' said associate vice president Linda Haase. The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago was notified of the situation at 10:30 a.m. Obama told reporters Friday that he was alerted to the threat Thursday night and that he directed the Homeland Security Department and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to take whatever steps were necessary to protect American citizens. is taking steps to enhance the safety of air travel, including beefing up cargo screening. The events unfolded four days before national elections in which discussion of terrorism has played almost no role. There was no evidence found that any explosives reached Chicago or that they could have caused any damage if they did. In Chicago, cargo terminals for both UPS and FedEx at O'Hare International Airport were immediately swept with bomb-sniffing dogs, and security around them was tightened as well. No explosives were found aboard those planes, though the investigation was continuing on at least two. In the U.S., cargo planes were searched up and down the Eastern Seaboard, and an Emirates Airlines passenger jet was escorted down the coast to New York by American fighter jets. They'd rather get an explosive into our country and blow up some people, kill some people.' The goal is to disrupt us, to frighten us, but it isn't the endgame.

'Certainly, it's psychological terrorism. And i think it was an indication of the tremendous expenses which we are bearing in order to prevent ourselves from being struck by terrorists in order to protect the security of the American people,' University of Chicago professor Marvin Zonis said. 'Certainly was a simple attempt to disrupt rather than a dry run. Indications were that the goal was psychological, rather than physical damage.

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