August 27, 2008	Wednesday	Sha'aban 24, 1429

DENVER (Colorado), Aug 26: Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama faces “no credible threat” from what had appeared to be a plot on his life, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing authorities who nevertheless are pressing on with their investigation.

The network reported that office of the United States Attorney said law enforcement officials are “absolutely confident there is no credible threat to the candidate.” Four people were arrested on Monday in Denver and charged with firearms and drug possession, amid fears of a plot to kill Obama.

Denver-based CBS34 said one of the men arrested had told authorities they were “going to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using ... a rifle ...sighted at 750 yards.” The shooting was supposed to happen on Thursday when Obama is scheduled to accept the nomination as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the November elections at the 75,000-seat Invesco stadium, the television station reported.

The alleged plot was being investigated by the Secret Service, which is in charge of coordinating security for the Democratic Party convention as well as the FBI and the joint terrorism task force.

The US Attorney’s Office in Denver has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the incident.

CBS34 also reported that one man was arrested on Sunday after police found two high-powered rifles in a rented pick-up truck he was driving, while another man in custody reportedly was wearing a swastika and was thought to have links to white supremacist groups.

But CNN reported Tuesday that the suspects had been detained on firearm charges and for possession of the illegal drug methamphetamine, causing authorities to question whether the Illinois senator’s life ever had been in danger.

The cable network quoted one official as saying that the alleged plot may be nothing more than “some methed up yahoos high on drugs, talking out of their heads.”—AFP