U.S. Offers $1 Million for Anthrax Attacker`s Capture

In the midst of spreading fears and anxiety about anthrax terror around the United States, the U.S. government and the press have stepped forward to try to calm public fears about anthrax.

▼Government`s Action

Tom Ridge, the Bush administration`s new domestic security chief appealed to the U.S. people to trust the government and to shake off the anxiety in his first public appearance on 18th.

Mr. Ridge said in the press meeting by the high-ranking officials related to the anti-terrorism such as the Attorney General John Ashcroft and Robert S. Mueller III F.B.I. director, ``Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have been tested for anthrax exposure, and thousands of environmental samples have been taken as well, emphasizing that only six actual cases of infection had been detected so far.`` ``The anthrax vaccines were secured sufficiently. The government plans to store the smallpox vaccines to inoculate all people in preparation to the emergent situation.`` added Mr. Ridge.

On the same day, the F.B.I announced that the government would offer a $1 million reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone responsible for anthrax attacks. John Potter, the postmaster general, said his office would send a postcard to everyone in America within a week outlining how to handle suspicious mail.

The Justice Department decided to resolutely deal with the anthrax attacks adjudging maximum a life sentence for anthrax attackers, and maximum a sentence of five years on imitation anthrax attackers. The F.B.I. received the 3,300 reports of anthrax case, but most were identified as false reports.

▼ Actions of Press and Civilians

CBS News Anchor Dan Rather stressed in a press meeting after his assistant contracted the anthrax, ``Our biggest problem today is not anthrax. Our biggest problem is fear.

America must not be dragged into a psychological warfare of the anthrax attackers.``

New York Times reporter Judith Miller pointed out in an interview with the CNN that the U.S. peoples should deal with this situation dauntlessly, saying that ``the anthrax attackers intended to cause the social chaos, not the mass destruction.``

▼ Public Opinion Scolds Congress

The U.S. press harshly scolded the U.S. Congress which decided to suspend the meeting for five days from 17th to examine the security of the Congress building, following that finely grained anthrax spread from a letter opened in the office of Senator Tom Daschle.

Han Ki-Heung eligius@donga.com