Missile Attacks Felt at Yeshiva University

On Thursday August 20, 1998 the United States fired 76 cruise missiles at two target locations connected to exiled Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden. American Intelligence officials had already concluded that bin Laden was the mastermind of the Aug. 7 bombings of two American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. They had also learned that he would be meeting with associates at a base in Afghanistan on August 20 and a successful missile attack on that day could cripple many suspected terrorist organizations at once.

The missiles were launched following a direct order by President Clinton, who said the United States had "compelling information" that the bin Laden network was planning other attacks against Americans and was seeking to acquire chemical weapons. Moreover, Clinton said that bin Laden's associates planned to blow up six U.S. 747s over the Pacific Ocean and to assassinate the president of Egypt and the Pope. Clinton proclaimed, "We will help people of all faiths who want to live free of fear and violence."

Despite the direct missile attack on his organization, bin Laden is still at large and is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. Mad Man on the Loose

Bin Laden is America's terrorist nightmare come true: a multimillionaire militant with connections on every continent who can harness high-tech weaponry to strike throughout the world. Bin Laden has already admitted to using his estimated $300 million fortune to finance terrorist attacks as part of his personal campaign against the United States for its support of Israel.

In February, bin Laden issued an edict for all Muslims to kill Americans and plunder their money everywhere. During an interview in his Afghan mountain hideaway in June by ABC News corespondent John Miller, bin Laden scoffed at American efforts to capture him, and vowed to continue killing Jews and Americans.

The State Department said that bin Laden has been involved in terrorist activities throughout the world, including the Aug. 7 bombing of the U.S. embassies; the 1996 bombing of a U.S. barracks in Saudi Arabia; the shooting of two U.S. helicopters in 1993; a bombing in Riyadh claiming the lives of U.S. service personnel; and a Somalian attack on U.S. troops in Mogadishu.

He is alleged to have supplied rocket-propelled grenades and expert instruction to clan fighters in Somalia. Intelligence experts believe bin Laden had a hand in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and that he is capable of striking within the United States again, possibly using chemical or biological warfare. What This Means for Us

Experts throughout the country have mixed opinions as to whether the U.S. bombing attacks against bin Laden will result in less or more terrorism. Some feel that the attacks could prove devastating to tightly-knit terrorist networks and any further violence against Americans and Jews would have already been carried out.

But many counterterrorism experts say that bin Laden and his fellow operatives are not likely to be impressed by a few cruise missiles because bin Laden is ideologically devoted to Islam and the cause of ending the United States' support of Israel. The greatest dangers now, some officials and experts say, may be attacks on vulnerable U.S. allies or targets within the United States. "The prospect of retaliation against Americans is very, very high," a senior intelligence official said.

Some U.S. officials think terrorists may switch from attacking U.S. embassies or military posts to softer targets such as American schools, businesses, or airlines. Universities across the nation are already heightening security measures. Because bin Laden is intensely anti-Semitic and has sworn to continue attacks on American targets everywhere, it is appropriate for high profile Jewish-American institutions such as ours to take precautions.

Accordingly, certain actions are being taken by the Yeshiva University Department of Safety and Security. General upgrades were already made to the YU security system during the summer, including the installation of new surveillance cameras placed throughout the Main Campus. While the security personnel are always on the alert, they are aware of the situation and have been told to take certain additional precautions.

Students have been given a memorandum asking them to assist the security department in their safety efforts by following certain procedures. Students were told to carry their ID cards at all times, especially when on campus. If a student observes anything out of the ordinary they are asked to report to security immediately. Students have been asked to report any unusual packages or individuals on University premises, being particularly alert in public restrooms and hallways. Students should not leave keys where unauthorized individuals may find them. When needed, a Security Supervisor can be contacted 24 hours a day at (212) 960-5200.

While the security department would not comment on the existence of any current threats, Don Sommers, Chief of Security said, "This situation is one that requires cooperation between the students, the YU Security Department, and the New York City Police Department. Students are asked to report anything out of the ordinary…students should, however, realize that there is no reason to be in fear. The situation is under control."