DATE=12/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-TERRORISM (L)
NUMBER=2-257432
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A mail-bomb warning has heightened concerns in
the United States about possible terrorist activity
during Christmas and New-Year observances. But senior
U-S officials, including President Clinton, are
appealing to Americans to be calm and not let fear of
attacks ruin the holiday period. V-O-A's David
Gollust has more from the White House.
TEXT: The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a
public statement warning Americans that mail bombs
sent from (Frankfurt) Germany might be arriving at U-S
addresses in the next few days.
The warning, which the F-B-I said was based on
intelligence reporting, has added to public concern,
already running high after the arrest of terrorist
suspects along the U-S-Canadian border and in Jordan,
and government warnings to Americans at home and
abroad that terror attacks might occur.
While urging caution, senior government officials are
trying to avoid a year-end panic. In an interview
taped for C-N-N ("the Larry King show"), President
Clinton stressed that law-enforcement agencies are
doing everything possible to assure public safety:
/// CLINTON ACT ///
We are on a heightened state of alert. We are working
very hard on it. No one can guarantee that nothing
will happen. But all I can say is, we're working very
hard. And my advice to the American people would be
to go on about their business and do what they would
intend to do at the holiday season. But to be a
little more aware of people and places where they find
themselves. And if you see something suspicious,
well, call us and let us know. Call the authorities.
/// END ACT ///
Spokesmen say the President is holding to his plans to
attend a huge end-of-the-millennium observance on
Washington's mall near the White House on New Year's
Eve. But many Americans are reported canceling travel
and celebration plans because of worries about
terrorism and disruptions caused by year-2000 computer
problems.
In a poll by the newspaper "U-S-A Today," more than 60
percent of respondents said they considered terrorist
attacks to be very likely. Fifty percent said
millennium worries make it less likely that they will
attend public New Year's events.
U-S airlines, hotels and restaurants are also
reporting that bookings and reservations for next week
are below expectations.
To help allay concerns, local governments are
emphasizing security precautions for public events.
The city of New York says its entire 37-thousand-
member police force will be on duty New Year's Eve,
when some two-million people are expected to gather
for traditional celebrations at Times Square.
(Signed)
NEB/DAG/WTW
23-Dec-1999 13:28 PM EDT (23-Dec-1999 1828 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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