Military

DATE=1/11/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / PLOT (L-O)

NUMBER=2-285138

BYLINE=MICHAEL BOWMAN

DATELINE=MIAMI

INTERNET=YES

Content=

Voiced At:

INTRO: Authorities in Florida are investigating an alleged plot to kill President Bush's younger brother -- Florida governor Jeb Bush. V-O-A's Michael Bowman reports law enforcement officials have doubts about the alleged plot but are taking the threat seriously.

TEXT: The tip-off came from an informant imprisoned in a Broward County jail north of Miami. The informant wrote a letter to Governor Bush saying that four men of Arab descent were plotting to drive an explosives-laden truck to Tallahassee and detonate it with the intent of killing Mr. Bush.

F-B-I and state law enforcement officials say they are skeptical about the allegation, pointing out that the informant has failed repeated polygraph (lie detector) examinations.

But one detail provided by the informant has caught the attention of investigators. Based on the tip, authorities have located a van in Broward County that may contain traces of explosives. Although nothing suspicious was found in the van, a bomb-sniffing dog did alert handlers for the presence of explosives.

Ft. Lauderdale Police Sgt. Jim Wright:

/// WRIGHT ACT ///

The bomb dog did alert on a white-panel van. The bomb squad was called. They checked the van and no explosives were found.

/// END ACT ///

The owner of the van was detained for questioning late Thursday.

Security officials with Governor Bush's office say tip-offs and threats are not unusual and are always taken seriously. They add, however, that security issues have received a more attention since September 11th.

NEB/MCB/KBK