Washington, Feb 13: The United States has deployed Stinger missiles and increased fighter jet patrols over Washington and New York following heightened fears of a terrorist attack.
The 'Avenger' air-defence systems, mounted on Humvees, rolled into view in Washington for the first time since last September after the administration increased the terror threat to Orange last Friday, citing credible evidence of an imminent terrorist strike.
The 'Avenger' is a portable, short-range air-defence system with radars that can rapidly fire eight Stinger missiles.
Fighter jets and Black Hawk helicopters also took to the skies with greater frequency.
On the ground, Washingtonians stocked up potable water, plastic sheeting, duct tape, flash lights and batteries, after the administration warned citizens to be prepared for emergencies. Stores reported a rush for emergency items.
The unexpected warnings and fears came ahead of a new audio tape purportedly containing the voice of Osama bin Laden, which was seen as a new call to arms amid an imminent US attack on Iraq.
US officials, who have hitherto underplayed previous bin Laden tapes, seized on this one to argue the fugitive terrorist was linked to Iraq because he urged Muslims to fight any American-led invasion of the country.
The tape was broadcast on the al-Jazeera network on Tuesday, but even before it went on air, US officials revealed its contents to the domestic audience here in a fervent bid to make the Iraq-Al Qaida connection. In the past, US officials have implored television networks not to broadcast purported bin Laden tapes.
While the new tape urges Muslim solidarity against the US, it also denounced the ruling Baath Party in Iraq as infidels, confirming the long-held theory that bin Laden has no love lost for Saddam Hussein.
But eager to make the case for war, US officials ignored that bit and argued that bin Laden coming out in common cause with Iraq was enough to show the link.
The tape stressed "the importance of martyrdom (suicide) attacks...(which) inflicted on America and Israel a disaster they have never experienced before".
"We are following with great concern the preparations of the crusaders to launch war on the former capital of Muslims...and to instal a puppet government," the tape said. "Fight the allies of the Devil. I remind you that victory comes from God alone."
The tape also urged Muslims to liberate themselves from "oppressive, unjust, apostate ruling governments, which in turn are enslaved by America."
Bureau Report
