Bush Says U.S. Is 'Still in Danger'
By DAVID ESPO
AP Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States "is still in danger" from the threat of terrorist attacks, President Bush said Friday as a new case of anthrax sent fresh jitters through a nervous nation. He assured Americans the government was doing everything in its power to make them safe.
Bush coupled his statement with a morale-building insistence that American "unity and resolve" would surmount the threats in the long run. Terrorists, he vowed, "will not take this nation down."
The president spoke as the Pentagon moderated the six-day aerial bombing campaign over Afghanistan _ a step designed to avoid offending Muslims marking their day of prayer around the world. Separately, the administration broadened its effort to choke off money that nurtures groups such as Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network, blamed for the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington that killed more than 5,000.
"We are determined to deny terrorists the resources to carry out their acts of evil," said Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, announcing a freeze in assets for an additional 39 groups and individuals.
Legislation to strengthen the hand of law enforcement in combatting terrorism advanced in Congress, but a companion bill to enhance airline security seemed stuck. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer suggested Bush may act on his own if lawmakers can't reach a compromise _ a statement that heartened Republicans who oppose a version that would make federal employees of airport security screeners.
Bush left the White House in mid-afternoon, walking hand in hand with first lady Laura Bush as the couple headed for their helicopter and a ride to the presidential retreat at Camp David.
He left behind an administration working to complement his own efforts, made in two public appearances during the day, to warn the nation of possible danger and to urge prudence, not panic, in the face of the threat.
His comments Friday followed an FBI announcement on Thursday that there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States and against U.S. interests overseas "over the next several days."
"We should promote caution, not incite paralysis" said Attorney General John Ashcroft. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said the nation has enough antibiotics to treat those who need them in connection with the anthrax threats. "People should not hoard" the drugs, he said.
NBC News announced the latest case of anthrax, saying that a woman who works at its headquarters in New York had tested positive. The employee was infected with a skin form of the disease after the network received mail containing a suspicious powder, authorities said, adding she is being treated with antibiotics and is expected to recover.
The infected woman is an assistant to NBC News anchorman Tom Brokaw, network officials said on condition of anonymity. One said Brokaw was being tested for anthrax.
The third floor and one or two other parts of the 70-story GE Building in midtown Manhattan were sealed off.
Authorities said the skin form of the illness is less serious than the inhaled form, which killed a Florida tabloid photo editor a week ago.
Ashcroft said there was no evidence connecting the cases in New York and Florida. Still, he and other officials noted the obvious _ both individuals worked for news media companies.
Bush brought up the newest case of anthrax in mid-afternoon in remarks in the White House East Room.
"It has got to cause concern for your nation, but I want everybody in the country to know we're responding rapidly," he said. "Our nation is still in danger, but the government is doing everything in our power to protect our citizenry."
"We need each other more than ever, and we're responding as quickly and as forcefully as we can."
Despite the continuing threat, Bush said, "The American people need to go about their lives. We cannot let the terrorists lock our country down. We can't let terrorists _ a few evildoers _ hold us hostage."
At the Justice Department, Attorney General John Ashcroft disclosed that an Arizona man was indicted on Thursday on federal charges of giving false statements to the FBI in the terror attacks investigation.
According to the indictment, Faisal Michael al Salmi told FBI agents he did not know one of the suicide hijackers, when in fact he did, and lied about having spoken to a man who had been interviewed by the FBI about an association with the same hijacker.
Nearly 700 people have been detained or arrested in the investigation, but there have been only a handful of indictments.
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