NYPost

LOCKDOWN

By DEVLIN BARRETT

October 7, 2001 --

EXCLUSIVE

Security officials are planning an unprecedented, high-alert lockdown of the city in the event of a U.S. military strike in Afghanistan, sources told The Post.

The lockdown, which is likely to surpass security measures implemented in the hours immediately after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, will be aimed at thwarting possible retaliatory strikes on sensitive targets around the city.

Tight-lipped officials have declined to discuss any aspects of the plan. But The Post has learned top security bosses held numerous meetings last week to discuss the various steps that will be taken within minutes of any Pentagon advisory of a military strike.

"Everyone's preparing for the first strike," said a source. "When that happens, you will see the highest level of security possible here, higher than we've ever seen before."

Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and city officials yesterday denied any knowledge of the lockdown plan.

But The Post has learned the security plan includes a high-profile cordon around federal buildings in lower Manhattan, which are considered prime targets for possible retaliation by supporters of Osama bin Laden, who is being hunted by the U.S. military.

Broadway, Duane Street and Elk Street around 26 Federal Plaza - where the headquarters of FBI is located - were closed Friday to regular traffic, in part for security concerns and also to speed access for vehicles heading to the WTC disaster site. The street closures could become permanent, sources said.

Centre and Worth Streets also may be closed or partially blocked to prevent any terrorist attacks on the Manhattan federal court buildings, the sources added. Security officials were spotted scouting downtown buildings Thursday, apparently as part of their review of security improvements.

Officials would not disclose any other details of their "first strike" plan, but it is understood it will involve measures aimed at eliminating the threat of car or truck bombs near sensitive city landmarks.

It could not be confirmed whether the plan involves further restriction to bridge and tunnel access, but the additional closing of any streets would have a huge impact on downtown traffic. It is not known how long the high-alert measures would remain in place after the first U.S. assault.

Sources have confirmed that the plan would be scaled according to the level of action employed by American forces, which are gathering on Afghanistan's borders. If the first military move is a small-scale "surgical strike," only portions of the security plan would be used in the city, sources said.

An insight into the new security for the city is likely to be seen for the upcoming sentencing in Manhattan Federal Court on Centre Street of four bin Laden loyalists convicted of bombing U.S. embassies in Africa, killing more than 200 people.

The sentencing of the four was originally scheduled for Sept. 17, but delayed to Oct. 18.

The trial of the four - Wadih el Hage, Mohamed Odeh, K.K. Mohamed, and Mohamed al-Owhali - was the most heavily guarded court proceeding in American history, but security will be even tighter for their next appearance.

U.S. intelligence experts have been blunt in assessing the chances of a further terrorist strikes on American soil.

"You can speak about a 100 percent chance," said an official. "The probability is high that there will be more terrorist attacks, regardless of any retaliatory action on the part of the United States."

New attitudes to combat the threat already have been reflected by action from organizations including the CIA, which has confirmed increases in staff and resources to improve national security.

"Since the Sept. 11 attacks, you can rightly assume that both manpower and resources are going to significantly increase," said CIA spokesman Bill Harlow.

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001