Jitters hit as America checks its exposure

By ELEANOR BLACK and AGENCIES

A jittery America has been hit by warnings of more terrorist attacks if military strikes begin on Afghanistan and claims that terrorists have biological and chemical weapons.

"I'm not trying to be alarmist, but we know these terrorist organisations ... have probably found the means to use biological and chemical warfare," said White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card.

He said the Government was making sure there were "ongoing stockpiles of appropriate medication and immunisation products ... [and] that those inventories grow".

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson later adopted a less fatalistic approach, saying the United States Government had stockpiles of emergency supplies and doctors on call who could be at the site of any attack within hours.

Biological experts cited by Newsweek magazine have questioned the success of any terrorist assaults, given the difficulty of turning toxins and pathogens into weapons.

Toxic-chemical detectors have been discreetly installed in Washington's Metrorail subway system as part of a new high-tech detection system.

At the same time, Attorney-General John Ashcroft admitted that military retaliation towards Osama bin Laden and his associates posed a "very serious threat" to all Americans.

"We believe that there is the likelihood of additional terrorist activity. And, frankly, as the US responds, that threat may escalate."

Fear of large-scale terrorist acts is at an all-time high in the nation's largest state, California, home to 10 major military bases, the entertainment industry, and the west coast's biggest financial centre.

Governor Gray Davis is launching a campaign to track suspected terrorists and prevent attacks on landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Transamerica pyramid and Disneyland. He is particularly concerned about securing the state's waterways, bridges and power plants.

"We've been advised many, many times that this is not over, that California is a target and should be prepared."

All Hollywood studios have upped their security, introducing tougher ID checks and x-ray Machines at entry points.

In Boston, home to the John F. Kennedy Library, civic leaders are on high alert following an FBI warning of possible violence. Boston was the city from which terrorists launched two of their attacks by hijacking planes from the airport.

The National Guard has been called in to protect the city's supply of drinking water and liquid natural gas storage containers in the harbour may be removed.

Security measures for the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City next February were already bankrolled with a $200 million grant from the federal Government.

But following the attacks on New York and Washington, extra fences are to be built at the sports venues, spectators subjected to bag and body checks, and security at athletes' housing strengthened.

Nationwide, the Nuclear Control Institute is tightening security at nuclear power plants in 31 states.

National Guard troops have been called in to protect the reactors, and anti-aircraft units are on standby.

The institute said last week that it had never considered the threat of a commercial airliner crashing into nuclear plants. If that were to happen, a reactor meltdown would be inevitable.

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