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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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