Posted on 06/07/2004 2:04:13 AM PDT by kattracks
WASHINGTON - Behind the somber pomp of the state funeral for Ronald Reagan, law enforcement agencies are mounting a massive security net to safeguard President Bush and scores of international dignitaries.The Department of Homeland Security has designated all the events surrounding Reagan's state funeral to be a National Special Security Event to be overseen by the Secret Service.
From the moment Reagan's body arrives in Washington at 5p.m. on Wednesday until he returns to California two days later, a shadow army will trail the late President's coffin, protecting it and his admirers.
Reagan's elaborate funeral coincides with a dire warning last month from Attorney General John Ashcroft that terrorists are "almost ready to attack the United States," possibly this summer.
One senior counterterrorism official said yesterday that as a result of Al Qaeda threats, security surrounding the Reagan ceremonies will be "tighter than a tick on a sheepdog."
But the official also said it's unlikely that terrorists will be able to pull off an attack during the two days of mourning in Washington. Al Qaeda operatives are so meticulous, they often take years to plan a single operation. They are not known for spontaneous strikes, particularly against mega-secure targets.
Bush administration sources said they expect Vice President Cheney to attend Friday's funeral service for Reagan at the National Cathedral. Security officials rarely allow the President and vice president to be at the same public event.
But most planning, including finalizing a list of foreign leaders arriving for the services, will be compiled today, the sources said.
Besides the legion of dignitaries, also requiring protection will be the tens of thousands who are expected to line the streets for the procession taking Reagan's body to the Capitol and later to the National Cathedral.
And people will be streaming through the Capitol to view his coffin Wednesday and Thursday.
"We're expecting a couple of hundred thousand," said Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Contricia Sellers-Ford. "We're getting word that it'll be a large crowd."
Washington is a fortress compared to the last state funeral for President Lyndon Johnson, in 1973. A Capitol visitors center is under construction and cops who guard Congress now routinely carry assault rifles.
All Capitol police will be on duty and the Secret Service is recalling agents from field offices to augment security, which will include sniper, countersniper and counterassault teams on rooftops and discreet protective duty. Washington police have canceled days off and leave this week and thousands will line the streets, which will be closed around Capitol Hill and the Cathedral but not along the procession routes, said spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile.
Originally published on June 7, 2004
Which Terrorists? Al K. Duh or the commies in the U.S.?
All branches of the same Hate America group.
Commies and Al Queda are strange bed fellows but they seem to cuddle easily..
Good! I hope security is tight enough to prevent any DUmmies from disrupting any event this week for Prsident Reagan. And you just gotta know that there's some left wing idiot out there that's prepared for his 30 seconds of fame....
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