DATE=12/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-TERRORISM (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257374
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton Administration says it knows of no
specific threats of millennium-related terrorism
activity in the United States despite last week's
arrest of an Algerian man trying to bring bomb-making
material in from Canada. Officials, though, are still
advising Americans to be cautious during the holidays.
V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the White House.
TEXT: The White House says a "vigorous" investigation
is continuing into the case of the Algerian national
arrested in the state of Washington a week ago as he
crossed the border from Canada with a car loaded with
bomb components, including nitroglycerine and timing
devices.
The arrest of 32-year-old Ahmed Ressam - a Montreal
resident - has prompted high-level concern about a
possible terrorist plan to attack U-S millennium
celebrations, and was the subject of a meeting of top
U-S national security officials at the White House
Monday.
But under questioning from reporters, White House
spokesman Joe Lockhart declined to characterize the
two-hour meeting that included Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and C-I-A director George Tenet as
an emergency session - saying the Administration is
not in what he termed a "scare mode."
Mr. Lockhart said the investigation of the arrest near
Seattle - involving federal, local and Canadian law
enforcement officials - has not turned up specific, or
general, information about a planned attack on any
specific U-S target:
/// LOCKHART ACT ///
We have made the case in the past that the
United States is not invulnerable to domestic
terrorism. But there is no specific information
now about particular targets here. But I think -
as we've said - as we head into the millennium
that, it pays for people to be cautious and
vigilant.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Lockhart said he was not advising Americans to
change their plans for domestic millennium
celebrations, but that they should be alert, and
report suspicious activity to authorities.
By contrast, the Clinton administration says it has
received "credible" information that terrorists may be
planning to attack U-S citizens abroad during the
holiday period. It issued a worldwide alert ten days
ago for American travelers to be careful and to
contact local U-S embassies and consu1ates for further
advice.
Jordanian authorities last week announced the arrest
of 13 members of a group they said had links to
alleged terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden, and was
planning attacks against American, Israeli and other
targets.
Mr. Bin Laden, a millionaire Saudi exile believed
living in Afghanistan, faces a U-S murder indictment
for the lethal bombings last year of U-S embassies in
Kenya and Tanzania.
The Clinton administration last week served notice on
Afghanistan's dominant Taleban faction, which it
accuses of sheltering Mr. Bin Laden, that it will be
held responsible for any terror attacks against
Americans traced to the Saudi fugitive. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/TVM/JP
21-Dec-1999 16:59 PM EDT (21-Dec-1999 2159 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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