We’re trying to protect you, Bush tells nation

US PRESIDENT George W Bush led an administration effort yesterday to reassure a nation unnerved by a raised terror threat warning by telling Americans: “We’re trying to protect you.”

Democrats accused Bush, however, of failing to provide adequate funding for homeland security and ridiculed the administration for dispensing advice that included stocking up on duct tape and plastic to seal their homes against a chemical or biological weapons attack.

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said the public was wise to take steps such as preparing emergency kits, but should stop short of taping their homes. Bush, in a speech at FBI headquarters where he discussed plans to help federal counter-terrorism agencies to work together more closely, said America faced a “serious and continuing danger of terrorism.”

“We’re trying to protect you. We’re doing everything in our power to make sure the homeland is secure,” he said.

“Across the world, we are tracking and confronting and defeating international terror. Within our own country, we’re taking unprecedented measures to protect the American people.”

The administration last week raised its terror-threat advisory the second-highest level, or “high,” signifying a high risk of terrorist attack. The increased warning was prompted by intelligence linking a potential attack to the end of the Muslim Haj pilgrimage season that ended on Thursday.

In response to the threat, and to comments by government officials that emergency kits should contain duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal off rooms against a potential chemical or biological weapons attack, Americans made a run on hardware stores to purchase these supplies.

Also raising anxieties were government actions such as visibly placing rocket launchers and police officers with automatic weapons around areas deemed vulnerable. But there was no need for people to actually begin using their duct tape or other emergency supplies, Ridge said.

Democratic leaders in Congress wrote to Bush telling him the 10% increase he is seeking in fiscal 2004, to $41.3bn, was not enough and reflected misplaced priorities at a time Bush is also seeking a tax cut valued a $695bn over five years.

“It is indefensible that you have not made funding for homeland security your top priority,” the letter said. “Instead you have advised Americans to buy duct tape.”