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U.S. Capitol Closes Doors Due to Anthrax, New York Governor Reports Exposure
WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The U.S. Capitol, the seat of the U.S. Congress and the most potent symbol of U.S. democracy, closed its doors today after being subjected to a bio-terrorist attack involving anthrax earlier this week, as traces of anthrax were detected at New York Governor George Pataki's Manhattan office as well.
Congressional leaders announced today that the Capitol, and its pertaining office buildings for the Senate and House of Representatives, would be closed starting tomorrow in order to do a sweep of the area and detect other possible anthrax contamination
The Capitol's corridors were empty of the usual crowds of tourists and visitors earlier this week, and finally of Senators, Representatives and their staff, as offices were closed until further notice, likely for at least five days.
The state governor's offices in Manhattan was also evacuated after tests showed a "high probability" of anthrax present in a secure room used by police officers, Pataki told a news conference.
Pataki said tests on his offices were carried out after his secretary raised questions about a suspect piece of mail that arrived on September 25th.
He said the offices would be sealed off until Monday and that some 80 staff members who work on the 38th and 39th floors of the building - including himself - would be taking antibiotics as a precaution.
"There has been no positive indication in any individual of anthrax," he said, adding that investigators were now hunting for the source of the contamination.
Pataki played down the latest incident and appealed to New Yorkers to go about their business as usual.
"We all, of course, get upset when this type of activity occurs, particularly when it hits home in your own office, but there is a very simple message: We can't let them win," he said.
Police confirmed earlier this week that a powder discovered in a letter addressed to the Democratic leader of the Senate, Tom Daschle, contained possibly the highest manufactured grade of anthrax.
"We were told that it was very strong form of anthrax, a very potent form of anthrax that clearly was produced by somebody who - she or he knew what they were doing," said the majority leader.
Asked if Congress should go on a recess following the bio-terror attack, Daschle replied, "I think what we have to do is not run away from the problem but address it."
The contaminated letter, heavily taped and containing a powdered substance, arrived in Daschle's office early Monday and was opened by a member of his staff, who immediately alerted the police.
He went on to say that 31 people in Congress had tested positive for exposure to the deadly bacteria.
He stressed that the results of nasal swabs only indicated exposure, but not infection.
"There is absolutely no evidence of infection at this point," he said.
Of those who tested positive, 25 were members of his staff said Daschle, indicating the others belong to the Capitol police force.
"The good news is everyone will be OK," the senator said, adding that the 31 people had been taking antibiotics since an anthrax-laden letter was found in his office on Monday.
Senator Russ Feingold told CNN Wednesday that two more Capitol Hill staffers have tested positive for exposure to anthrax.
The Wisconsin Democrat said two of his staff had been exposed to the potentially deadly bacteria, possibly because of the proximity of his offices to Senator Tom Daschle's.
This brings the total number of anthrax cases on Capitol Hill to 33.
"We're going to take extraordinary measures to ensure the safety and security of the congressional community at this time," said Dan Nichols, the Capitol Police spokesman.
FBI Director Robert Mueller said earlier that there were similarities between the anthrax-contaminated letter sent to Daschle and one sent earlier to NBC television anchor Tom Brokaw in New York, including their origin - both were postmarked in Trenton, New Jersey - and had handwriting on the envelopes.
The Washington Post even went on to say that the letters each had "similar references to Allah," though that claim has not been confirmed, with law enforcement agents and President George W. Bush saying there is no evidence of links between the anthrax attacks and the attacks on September 11th.
There have also been speculations by police forces that individuals in the U.S. may be trying to capitalize on the September 11th attacks by carrying out the bio-terrorist attacks and claiming them as "Islamic" in order to throw law enforcement off their trail.
Congressional staffers lined the hallways outside the Capitol's physicians' office waiting to be tested for anthrax. The line snaked around the corridor and up into the Crypt of the Capitol, as aides waited for an hour to reach the front, reported the
Post.
A spokesman for Minority Whip David Bonior (D-MI) said nearly 10 people from his office had come down for tests.
"I just think we all want to be on the safe side," said Cody Harris, Bonior's press secretary.
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