TERRORISM - warning re attacks by bin Laden

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BBC Saturday, 12 May, 2001, 17:54 GMT 18:54 UK

US warns of bin Laden attacks

The American State Department has issued a warning to Americans world-wide about possible attacks from supporters of the Saudi exile, Osama bin Laden.

The warning comes as a jury in New York considers its verdicts in the trial of four people charged with blowing up the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

The embassy blasts killed 224 people, including 12 Americans, and wounded thousands.

In its announcement, the State Department said that US government facilities remained at a heightened state of alert.

It warned that Washington would continue to close from time to time or suspend public services "as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy."

Warning

Prosecutors in the New York trial have alleged that the defendants conspired to kill Americans at the posts in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on orders of bin Laden, who is said to be living in Afghanistan.

The jury began deliberating on Thursday.

"The US government has learned that American citizens abroad may be the target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links to Osama bin Laden Al-Qaida organization," the announcement said.

It warned that bin Laden associates had not distinguished between official and civilian targets in the past.

"As always, we take take this information seriously," it said.

"Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion."

The BBC's Paul Reynolds says it appears the State Department issued the warning after receiving specific intelligence information.

President Bush has signed a national security presidential directive ordering the CIA to examine its capacity to respond to terrorists and other threats.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001


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