(Yahoo News 2.5.99)
By Patricia Wilson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI Director Louis Freeh warned Thursday that right-wing extremists, religious cults or apocalyptic groups could turn to violence to fulfill their prophecies of Armageddon as the year 2000 approaches.
At a congressional hearing on counter-terrorism, Freeh cited ``rogue terrorists'' such as Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden -- blamed by Washington for the bombing of two American embassies in East Africa last year -- as probably the most urgent risk to U.S. interests. But he said the domestic threat could not be ignored, especially as the millennium approached.
``The possibility of an indigenous group like Aum Supreme Truth cannot be excluded,'' he said, referring to the cult responsible for a nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway system in March, 1995.
``With the coming of the next millennium, some religious/apocalyptic groups or individuals may turn to violence as they seek to achieve dramatic effects to fulfill their prophecies,'' he said.
Freeh expressed dismay at a ``pattern of racist elements'' seeping into the U.S. militia movement most of which, he said, had no racial overtones and did not espouse bigotry.
But he discussed at length ``a disturbing trend'' toward the pseudo-religion of Christian Identity -- and other hate philosophies -- that provided both a religious base for racism and anti-Semitism as well as an ideological rationale for violence against minorities.
``Many white supremacist groups adhere to the Christian Identity belief system, which holds that the world is on the verge of a final apocalyptic struggle ... and teaches that the white race is the chosen race of God,'' he said.
Many of those who believe in this credo are engaged in survivalist and paramilitary training, storing foodstuffs and supplies and caching weapons and ammunition.
Freeh said that as 1999 came to a close, Identity's more extreme members could prepare for Armageddon by carrying out armed robberies to finance the upcoming battle, destroying government property and targeting Jews and non-whites. The FBI had ``little credible intelligence'' at this time indicating that terrorists, either domestic or international, were preparing to attack the United States, the director said.
But he added that ``a growing number -- while still small -- of 'lone offender' and extremist splinter elements of right-wing groups have been identified as possessing or attempting to develop or use'' chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.
Attorney General Janet Reno, who also appeared before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee, said a terrorist attack using a biological weapon might not be immediately apparent with far-reaching impact on victims and emergency personnel.
``In fact, we have found recently the mere threat of the use of unconventional weapons can cause concern and panic. Threats to release harmful biological or chemical substances cannot be ignored,'' she said. Freeh said the FBI dealt with an ``anthrax warning letter'' somewhere in the country almost every day.
U.S. officials had to be able ``to match wits with the bad guys,'' Reno said.
She appealed to the Senate panel to approve funds for a National Domestic Preparedness Office to be led by the FBI to provide coordination and a single point of contact for state and local communities.
