Roundup: Situation Remains Tense in WashingtonSituation in the US capital remained tense Thursday, two days after the deadly terrorist attacks that leveled the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and severely damaged the Pentagon in Washington.Military vehicles patrolled the streets and fighter jets ripped across deserted skies. The U.S. Secret Service expanded its security perimeter around the White House, further limiting pedestrian access and traffic near the compound. Meanwhile, Vice President Dick Cheney shifted his office to the presidential retreat of Camp David in Maryland State as a precaution, officials said. In another sign of heightened security concerns, the Capitol was evacuated in the middle of a Senate vote Thursday evening because of a bomb threat. Members were later allowed to return after bomb-sniffing dogs found no explosives. Congress and the White House are working on a resolution authorizing the use of force against the faceless enemy as the Bush administration weighs options to retaliate against those responsible for Tuesday's terrorist attacks which possibly killed thousands of people. Calling the attacks "the first war of the 21st century," President George W. Bush said Thursday that his resolve "is steady and strong about winning this war that has been declared on America." Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said the administration 's retaliation would be "sustained and broad and effective" with the use of "all our resources." Secretary of State Colin Powell has named Saudi-born billionaire Osama bin Laden as the primary suspect for the attacks. |
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