U.S. warns Americans abroad against Bin Laden attacks
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Tuesday, May 15, 2001
The United States is warning nationals abroad that they
could be the target of Saudi billionaire fugitive Osama Bin Laden amid
expectations that the Bush administration will move to condemn Syria and
Lebanon.
The U.S. condemnation of Beirut and Damascus was expected amid renewed
clashes along the Israeli-Lebanese border. On Monday, Hizbullah fired
several mortars that landed near an Israeli military position in the
disputed Shebaa plateau. Israeli tanks responded with shell fire.
Earlier, Israeli soldiers opened fire toward Lebanese supporters of
Hizbullah who tried to destroy the border fence and enter Israel.
U.S. officials said the concern is that Bin Laden will retaliate for the
expected guilty verdict against his aides. They are being tried in a U.S.
district court in New York in connection with the 1998 bombings of the U.S.
embassies in Africa. The jury began deliberating on Thursday and could issue
a verdict this week.
Officials did not say whether Washington has any solid evidence that
Bin Laden plans to launch attacks. They said Bin Laden has
retaliated in the past for the detention of his aides.
"The U.S. government has learned that American citizens abroad may be
the target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links to Osama
Bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization," the State Department said. "U.S.
citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take
appropriate steps to increase their security awareness to reduce their
vulnerability. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and
times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar
sources with suspicion."
Arab diplomatic sources said the Bush administration is preparing to
blame Lebanon and Syria for fueling the Palestinian conflict with Israel. A
Gulf source told the Kuwaiti Al Siyassa daily that a U.S. condemnation of
Lebanon and Syria could be issued sometime this week.
For its part, Syria said it will not back down in any confrontation
against Israel. "We in Syria are never afraid of war," Syrian Defense
Minister Mustafa Tlas said. "We are also happy to step up the conflict if
that is what they want."
Tuesday, May 15, 2001
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