DATE=12/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243027
TITLE=GULF TERRORISM ALERT  
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: U-S FORCES IN THE PERSIAN GULF REGION HAVE BEEN PUT ON AN 
UNUSUALLY HIGH STATE OF ALERT FOLLOWING THREATS OF TERRORIST 
ATTACK.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE 
OFFICIALS CALL THE REPORTED THREATS "DISTURBING."

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS 
IN THE PERSIAN GULF REGION ARE TELLING TROOPS TO STAY ON BASES, 
AVOID TRAVEL IN LARGE GROUPS, AND TO MAKE THEIR ACTIVITIES LESS 
PREDICTABLE AND THUS LESS VULNERABLE TO CAR BOMBS AND OTHER 
ATTACKS. 

                        /// BACON ACT ///

         INTELLIGENCE HAS BEEN RECEIVED INDICATING THAT SOME FORM
         OF TERRORIST ACTION IS IMMINENT.  WE BELIEVE THAT WE 
         HAVE SIGNIFICANT, CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE SUGGESTING THE 
         POSSIBILITY OF AN IMMINENT TERRORIST ACTION IN THE 
         MIDDLE EASTERN REGION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. BACON SAYS THREATS ARE MADE AGAINST U-S FORCES ALL THE TIME, 
BUT HE SAYS THIS PARTICULAR THREAT IS BEING TAKEN "VERY 
SERIOUSLY."  HE WOULD GIVE NO DETAILS OF THE NATURE OF THE 
THREAT, BUT SAID THERE HAVE BEEN TWO DEADLY BOMB ATTACKS AGAINST 
AMERICANS IN SAUDI ARABIA SINCE 1994.

ONE SUCH ATTACK WRECKED AN AIR FORCE BARRACKS CALLED KHOBAR 
TOWERS, KILLING 19 AMERICANS.  MR. BACON SAYS THAT INCIDENT 
PROMPTED U-S FORCES TO DEVOTE MUCH MORE ATTENTION, EQUIPMENT AND 
MONEY TO PROTECTING TROOPS.

MR. BACON SAYS THIS LATEST ALERT FOR U-S TROOPS IS BASED ON THE 
SAME INFORMATION THAT PROMPTED THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT TO URGE 
DIPLOMATS AND OTHER U-S CITIZENS IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO TAKE 
PRECAUTIONS OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/GE

15-Dec-98 3:40 PM EST (2040 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.