U.S. warns of Turkey terror attack

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department says it has received "unconfirmed and fragmentary information" about a possible terrorist attack in coming days in Turkey, "possibly to include activities directed against civil aviation."

"The government of Turkey has already taken all prudent measures to address this possible incident. The U.S. and Turkey continue to consult and cooperate fully together in the war on terrorism," the State Department said on Friday.

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

"The Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to a possible terrorist incident in Turkey. This Public Announcement expires on May 22, 2002."

The statement did not specify what information it had or what group might be planning such an attack. It said the possible terror plot was being planned by "unknown terrorists."

One senior State Department official said: "This matter was viewed at the highest level."

This official added that the U.S. government has sent a "warden message," or an e-mail warning, to Americans on a government list in Turkey.

Another senior State Department official was asked if the government was advising Americans not to fly in the coming days.

"No, we're not advising Americans not to fly. If we were telling people not to fly, we would just tell them," the official said.

This official said Turkish authorities had taken "a lot of action" to shore up security around their "civil aviation" facilities. The official added that the threats "were not specifically targeting Americans."