    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 22, 1999]
    [Page 2328]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 2328]]

    Exchange With Reporters at the D.C. Central Kitchen
    December 22, 1999

    Terrorist Activities

        Q. Mr. President, how concerned should Americans be about terrorist
    attacks in the U.S. as we approach the new year?
        The President. Well, because of the incident which has been widely
    reported, we, the authorities, are on a higher level of alert. For the
    citizens, I would say they ought to go about their holidays and enjoy
    themselves and make the most of it. But I would ask them to just be
    aware of their circumstances, and if they see anything suspicious to
    report it immediately, and meanwhile, to know that we are doing
    everything we possibly can. We're taking extraordinary efforts in the
    Government to act, based on the incident out in the Pacific Northwest
    and what we know, and we're going forward.
        I don't think the American people should stop their holiday
    activities. I think they ought to go on and enjoy the season. But
    because we, the Government, are taking extra steps and we're on alert, I
    think it would be good for them and good for us if they would just be
    careful and--not suspicious but aware--aware of their circumstances, and
    if they see anything that doesn't look right, to report it to us. And if
    they do that, I think we'll have a good holiday, and I think we'll
    maximize our safety.

    Note: The exchange began at 12:40 p.m. A tape was not available for
    verification of the content of this exchange.