[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 51 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
[Page 2653]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.