Homeland Security

DATE=3/5/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=NY / COUNTER-TERRORISM (L-O)

NUMBER=2-300349

BYLINE=JAMES DONAHOWER

DATELINE=NEW YORK

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The heads of New York's newly-created counter-terrorist force say that the city is still a primary target of international terrorists. James Donahower reports from New York.

TEXT: Before Frank Libutti was appointed the New York Police Department's Deputy Commissioner of Counter-Terrorism in mid-January, he served as Special Assistant for Homeland Security at the U-S Department of Defense. He says that captured copies of the al-Qaida training manual indicate that New York remains a primary target.

///LIBUTTI ACT///

New York offers all of what is described in their handbook as criteria for an attack. The opportunity to bring down the economy of the country, killing a lot of people, and destroying symbols of America. We've been a target, that we know of, four times, and hit successfully twice.

///END ACT///

At a news briefing in New York, Mr. Libutti said that in the 16 months since September 11th, 2001, the city has taken measures to make a terrorist attack more difficult, including increasing police presence, deploying the police at unpredictable places and times, and encouraging vigilance on the part of the public. Still, he says New York remains vulnerable.

///SECOND LIBUTTI ACT///

Anywhere from 40 to 50-thousand to 100-thousand men and women have been through terrorist training camps worldwide. And their method of operation, in general terms, is to return to their base camp areas and solicit and recruit more people. The bottom line is, in terms of terrorism, their capability is still very, very high.

///END ACT///

David Cohen, a 35-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, recently joined Mr. Libutti on the New York counter-terrorism team as Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence. He fears that, as terror alerts go by without incident, both people and law enforcement will forget the persistent threat.

///COHEN ACT///

One of our most important jobs is to never let complacency set in. Because this threat isn't going away anytime soon. It may change, but by my estimation and those who are expert in the field, this is not going away anytime soon.

///END ACT///

Mr. Cohen concluded, however, that New Yorkers are resilient. They have incorporated the threat of terrorism into their daily lives, and are going about business as usual. (Signed)

NEB/NYC/JAD/BJS/RH/FC