DATE=12/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-TERRORISM (L)
NUMBER=2-257432
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  A mail-bomb warning has heightened concerns in 
the United States about possible terrorist activity 
during Christmas and New-Year observances.  But senior 
U-S officials, including President Clinton, are 
appealing to Americans to be calm and not let fear of 
attacks ruin the holiday period.  V-O-A's David 
Gollust has more from the White House.

TEXT:  The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a 
public statement warning Americans that mail bombs 
sent from (Frankfurt) Germany might be arriving at U-S 
addresses in the next few days.

The warning, which the F-B-I said was based on 
intelligence reporting, has added to public concern, 
already running high after the arrest of terrorist 
suspects along the U-S-Canadian border and in Jordan, 
and government warnings to Americans at home and 
abroad that terror attacks might occur. 

While urging caution, senior government officials are 
trying to avoid a year-end panic. In an interview 
taped for C-N-N ("the Larry King show"), President 
Clinton stressed that law-enforcement agencies are 
doing everything possible to assure public safety: 

            /// CLINTON ACT ///

We are on a heightened state of alert.  We are working 
very hard on it.  No one can guarantee that nothing 
will happen.  But all I can say is, we're working very 
hard.  And my advice to the American people would be 
to go on about their business and do what they would 
intend to do at the holiday season.  But to be a 
little more aware of people and places where they find 
themselves.  And if you see something suspicious, 
well, call us and let us know.  Call the authorities.

            /// END ACT ///

Spokesmen say the President is holding to his plans to 
attend a huge end-of-the-millennium observance on 
Washington's mall near the White House on New Year's 
Eve.  But many Americans are reported canceling travel 
and celebration plans because of worries about 
terrorism and disruptions caused by year-2000 computer 
problems.

In a poll by the newspaper "U-S-A Today," more than 60 
percent of respondents said they considered terrorist 
attacks to be very likely.  Fifty percent said 
millennium worries make it less likely that they will 
attend public New Year's events.

U-S airlines, hotels and restaurants are also 
reporting that bookings and reservations for next week 
are below expectations.

To help allay concerns, local governments are 
emphasizing security precautions for public events.  
The city of New York says its entire 37-thousand-
member police force will be on duty New Year's Eve, 
when some two-million people are expected to gather 
for traditional celebrations at Times Square.   
(Signed)

NEB/DAG/WTW



23-Dec-1999 13:28 PM EDT (23-Dec-1999 1828 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.