Reno: Protecting Cities A High Priority Senators Told It Will Take Five Years To Implement Anti-Terrorism Measures

The United States will not be prepared for biological terrorism attacks for at least five years, law enforcement officials told a Senate panel Wednesday, but Attorney General Janet Reno said preparation would be one of her “highest priorities.”

Reno and FBI Director Louis Freeh detailed a five-year strategy, which would include federal monitoring of electronic mail and stockpiling antibiotic supplies, to the Senate subcommittee on technology, terrorism and government information.

“The protections of our nation and its people from acts of terrorism is among the greatest challenges faced by this administration and remains one of the highest priorities of the Department of Justice,” Reno said.

For security reasons, Reno declined to comment on the possibility of attacks involving biological weapons.

But Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said: “The potential for chemical and biological weapons attack against the United States represents one of the principal national security threats to our country in the 21st century.”

Reno’s strategy comes shortly after a report by the General Accounting Office, a congressional agency that reviews federal programs, revealed in early April that many U.S. cities are ill-equipped for such attacks.

Reno acknowledged Wednesday that President Clinton has not yet decided whether to purchase the medical supplies.

The 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building prompted the FBI, the Defense Department and the Justice Department to implement a $30 million anti-terrorism plan that would set up emergency training sites in 120 of the largest American cities.

The GAO report showed that only 11 cities have received training so far, and local officials still need to assess the threat facing the remaining cities.

Freeh, however, said the United States is in a more “enhanced position” than a few years ago because of the experience the FBI has gained in dealing with such cases in the past.

“The progress over the few years has been very substantial,” Freeh said. “It represents the strength of the FBI in all areas of terrorism.”

Freeh said the preparation against terrorist attacks is an ongoing process, and the public should not panic.

But Reno said technology was playing an increasingly larger role within terrorist organizations, making it easier for terrorist to attack. Reno said this pushed her to include federal monitoring of e-mail messages as part of the defense strategy.

Terrorist groups, such as branches of the Mideast-based Hamas and Hezbollah, have Internet websites where they post information and recruiting information, and use e-mail to exchange plans, the officials said. The groups also use computers to store membership information, financial records and plans for attack, they said.

The Internet even has websites that give detailed instructions on how to build a bomb.

Reno noted that conventional explosives were used in carrying out two of this decade’s major domestic terrorist acts - the Feb. 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing and the April 19, 1995, attack on the federal building in Oklahoma City.

Reno said the Internet also could increase accessibility of biohazardous materials through the point-and-click of a button, increasing “the potential of even more catastrophic acts of terrorism.”

While deaths resulting from bombs are immediate, deaths from biological attacks are prolonged and more painful for the victims, she said.

The strategy also called for the government to provide adequate antibiotic supplies for treating people exposed to harmful lethal chemical or biological substances by creating stockpiles “strategically placed” U.S. cities.

“Even if the stockpiles were adequate, it would be critical that we be able to obtain and deliver the required items to the affected area on an immediate basis,” Reno said.