Military

DATE=11-1-01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= THREAT / CALIFORNIA BRIDGES (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-282576

BYLINE= MIKE O'SULLIVAN

DATELINE=LOS ANGELES

VOICED AT:

INTRO: California Governor Gray Davis says four suspension bridges, including the Golden Gate Bridge, are under a credible threat of a terrorist attack. Mike O'Sullivan has details from Los Angeles.

TEXT: Governor Davis says the four suspension bridges could be attacked during rush hour, that is, peak commuting times in the morning or evening.

/// DAVIS ACT ///

We believe there's a credible threat that there will be an effort made between November second and November seventh to destroy one of those bridges. Well before we received that threat, we had taken elaborate security measures with the Highway Patrol, the Coast Guard, and other local law enforcement officials to protect the bridges. We have tightened security even more since the receipt of those threats.

/// END ACT ///

The four bridges are San Francisco's Golden Gate and Bay bridges, the Vincent Thomas Bridge at the port of Los Angeles and Coronado Bridge in San Diego.

The governor authorized the California National Guard to assign additional troops to guard the four bridges and other key parts of the state's infrastructure.

/// DAVIS ACT ////

We are bound and determined to protect Californians and the vital assets of this state, and protection of our bridges, our water system, our electricity grid ranks very high on our priority.

/// END ACT ///

The California governor says information concerning the threats came from several different law enforcement agencies. He said the four bridges will not be closed ,and commuters can decide whether or not to cross them during the periods in question.

Mr. Davis spoke at a press conference Thursday where he named a former federal agent , George Vinson, to the newly created post of special advisor to the governor on state security issues. (Signed)

NEB/MO/MAR