DATE=2/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227390
TITLE=OLYMPIC BOMBING (S/L)
BYLINE=MIKE COOPER
DATELINE=ATLANTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES MAY HAVE FOUND EVIDENCE 
LINKING SEVERAL BOMBINGS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, 
INCLUDING AN EXPLOSION THAT WENT OFF DURING THE 1996 SUMMER 
OLYMPICS.  INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING AT DEBRIS FROM THE HOMEMADE 
BOMBS.  MIKE COOPER REPORTS FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA:

TEXT:  LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING A SERIES OF 
BOMBS THAT WENT OFF IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AND BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA,
BEGINNING IN 1996 DURING THE SUMMER OLYMPICS. THE BOMBING IN 
ATLANTA CAUSED TWO DEATHS AND INJURED MORE THAN A HUNDRED OTHER 
PEOPLE.  SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN BOMBINGS AT TWO CLINICS 
WHERE ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED. A CLINIC BOMBING LAST MONTH IN 
BIRMINGHAM KILLED A POLICEMAN AND SERIOUSLY INJURED A NURSE.

THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE FOUND THAT 
STEEL PLATES IN THE OLYMPIC BOMB AND BOMBS LEFT AT THE ATLANTA 
CLINIC CAME FROM A METAL-WORKING PLANT IN RURAL, WESTERN NORTH 
CAROLINA.  FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE NEITHER CONFIRMING NOR DENYING 
THE REPORT. THEY SAY THEY ARE UPSET THAT THE STORY WAS PUBLISHED.

// OPT // THE NEWSPAPER QUOTES UNIDENTIFIED FEDERAL SOURCES AS 
SAYING THAT SOMEONE WORKING AT THE PLANT WAS A FRIEND OF ERIC 
RUDOLPH, A FORMER CARPENTER WHO WAS NAMED AS A SUSPECT IN THE 
BIRMINGHAM BOMBING A WEEK AFTER IT OCCURRED LAST MONTH. THE STEEL
PLATES WOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO DEFLECT THE EXPLOSION AND THROW 
DEBRIS IN A PARTICULAR DIRECTION.  LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE
NEVER RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT ALL OF THE BOMBINGS ARE 
LINKED.  LETTERS FROM A GROUP CALLING ITSELF THE ARMY OF GOD WERE
SENT TO NEWS AGENCIES CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EXPLOSIONS,
AND SIMILAR NAILS WERE USED AS SHRAPNEL IN ALL OF THE BOMBINGS. 
// END OPT //

INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR ERIC RUDOLPH, THE SUSPECT 
IN THE MOST RECENT BOMBING, AS THEY CONTINUE TO ANALYZE EVIDENCE 
OBTAINED FROM ALL OF THE BOMBING SITES. (SIGNED) 

NEB/MC/JO

27-Feb-98 3:08 PM EST (2008 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.