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CNN Live Saturday

American Public Not Concerned About New Terror Warnings

Aired May 25, 2002 - 18:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, so far people this weekend seem to be leaving behind any possible concerns about some warnings that were issued about this holiday weekend. Some concerns about possible terrorist activity, and CNN's Kathleen Koch has been talking to those in charge of keeping Americans safe, from coast to coast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As Americans kicked back, security tightened up. On the National Mall for a Memorial weekend concert. In the Atlanta subway.

CHIEF GENE WILSON, ATLANTA TRANSIT POLICE: We felt that we needed to ratchet up what we had been doing.

KOCH: In New York City.

GOV. GEORGE PATAKI (R), NEW YORK: Every step that can be taken is being taken.

KOCH: The latest warnings for nuclear power plants, and to be on guard for terrorist's who might use small planes for suicide attacks. A private pilot's organization put the warning on its Web site. And the government urged caution.

MARION BLAKEY, NTSB CHAIR: You know, it's a very diffuse threat at this point. It does seem to be something that in all modes of transportation right now, we're going to have to be on high alert.

KOCH: A new focus on ports, after FBI warnings of possible threats from scuba divers. The potential targets are many, and hard to protect.

KELLY MCCANN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Either for an ecological attack, where you could lose petroleum products, et cetera, into the sea. Also, bridges. I mean, you can attack bridges structurally from the water because that's where the pylons are, et cetera. So, it opens up a whole different target area.

SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON (R), TEXAS: It's a big sea out there. We have the Atlantic, we have the Pacific coast, and we have the Gulf Coast. And we have to take -- I think -- even greater precautions on the ground in our ports. KOCH: But are the warnings working? A new CNN poll of more than 1,000 Americans found while the same number pay a great deal or some attention to the warnings, one quarter pay little or no attention at all.

(on camera): And concerns remain that the alerts may be designed to give the government political cover if attacks do occur. Still, some are willing to give the Bush administration the benefit of the doubt.

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D), ILLINOIS: We live in a dangerous world. They perceive dangers that even Congress has not been alerted to, and they're trying to alert the American people. Let's accept that at face value.

KOCH (voice-over): So Americans this holiday weekend hitting the beach, the mountains, or the mall, have a mixed mission. To relax, but remain vigilant.

Kathleen Koch, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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