Bush to rattled American public: Terror threat is being countered

www.haaretzdaily.com By Reuters

WASHINGTON - With the nation on a heightened state of alert, President George Bush yesterday told Americans steps are being taken to protect them from another terrorist attack. The administration last week raised its terror threat advisory to "high," signifying a heightened risk of attack and prompting authorities to tighten security around Washington, New York and other high-profile targets.

Bush sought to calm the public, rattled by a taped message believed to be from fugitive Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden urging Muslims to fight America and repel any war against Iraq. The United States blames bin Laden's Al-Qaida for the September 11, 2001, hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that killed about 3,000 people.

"Our nation is preparing for a variety of threats we hope never will arrive," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "Many of these dangers are unfamiliar and unsettling. Yet the best way to fight these dangers is to anticipate them, and act against them with focus and determination." Bush's advice: "Americans should go about their lives."

Democrats ridiculed the administration for dispensing advice that included stocking up on duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal homes against a chemical or biological weapons attack - saying what was really needed was more federal money for homeland security.

They called on Bush to submit to Congress within seven days a supplemental budget request for homeland defense that would total in the billions of dollars.

"It is shameful that the heroes who rushed to defend the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on September 11th have to come to Washington over and over again, hat in hand, and beg this administration for the resources they need," said Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota.

Bush has requested $41.3 billion for domestic security for fiscal 2004, a 10 percent increase. He is asking Congress for nearly $6 billion to beef up U.S. defenses against biological attack, is also expected to ask lawmakers for another $20 billion for the Pentagon within the next few weeks.