DATE=12/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S TERRORISM (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257271
BYLINE=MICHAEL O'SULLIVAN
DATELINE=LOS ANGELES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S authorities have charged a man with
bringing explosive materials into the United States.
Authorities in the northwestern U-S city of Seattle are
trying to determine if the man -- who is said to be of
Algerian descent -- was planning a millennium terrorist
attack. Mike O'Sullivan has details from our West
Coast bureau.
TEXT: Officials say the man carried two jars of
explosive nitroglycerin and more than 50 kilograms
of other potentially explosive material in his rented
car, which authorities seized several days ago at the
U-S-Canadian border. The man, who is identified as
Ahmed Ressam, was also charged with having false
identification and making false statements to U-S
customs officials.
Friday, a judge ordered the destruction of the liquid
nitroglycerin near the town of Port Angeles, where the
man entered the United States on a ferry from Victoria,
Canada. The judge rejected a request from defense
lawyers that the material be tested, citing safety
concerns.
Officials say the suspect had reserved a motel room in
downtown Seattle, near the site of a planned New Year's
Eve millennium celebration.
According to court papers, he had an airline reservation
from Seattle to New York and a ticket for a connecting
flight to London.
/// REST OPT
Authorities say Mr. Ressam carried a Canadian passport
and two driver's licenses, each in a different name.
They say he became nervous when questioned about the
roundabout route he took from Vancouver to Seattle by
way of the island city of Victoria. When customs
inspectors searched his rented car, he fled on foot
but was caught a few blocks from the scene.
Officials say in addition to liquid nitroglycerin,
they found more than 50 kilograms of urea, a substance
used to make fertilizer and explosives. They say they
also found another crystalline power, batteries and timing
devices.
The judge scheduled a hearing in the case for next
Wednesday. (Signed)
18-Dec-1999 00:45 AM EDT (18-Dec-1999 0545 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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