Скачать или смотреть SAUDI ARABIA: SECURITY MEASURES AT BOMBED US BASE UPDATE

(1 Jul 1996) English/Nat
U-S officials say casualties might have been lighter if the Saudi authorities had agreed to widen the security zone surrounding the base devastated by last week's bomb attack.
The request to step up security at the Al-Khobar complex was made before last Tuesday's blast, which killed 19 American airmen.
But U-S Defence Secretary William Perry also praised Saudi co-operation and said the size of the security zone was not the only factor behind the widespread damage.
A new improved perimeter is due to be completed this week.
The increased security measures followed Tuesday's truck bombing of Al-Khobar Towers complex, which killed 19 American soldiers and injured hundreds.
Muslim militants who want to drive the thousands of U-S troops out of the kingdom are suspected to be behind the deadly attack
Some of the new security measures were in place Monday:
Huge concrete barriers have been moved to widen the security perimeter on the eastern side of the base and additional concrete blocks have been installed in front of the entrance gate.
Security was also very tight at the entrance to the base with vehicles being thoroughly checked.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are moving a combination of contractors and other civil engineers are moving the barriers out four hundred feet from the perimeter of Khobar Towers here at Dhahran Air base. Obviously it's all as a result of the blast last Wednesday."
SUPER CAPTION: Captain Mike Paoli, U-S soldier in Dhahran
Americans in Saudi Arabia have been donating clothes and other items to those who lost their possessions in the blast.
SOUNDBITE:
"All these donations came from the civilian community in the local Dhahran area and some of the outlying communities."
SUPER CAPTION: Lisa Mundt-Charles, U-S soldier in Dhahran
Those who escaped with the lives, but lost what they owned can also claim insurance.
The U-S army has set up a briefing desk 24 hours to make it easier to put in an insurance claim.
More than 200 people were hurt in the attack and medical treatment is continuing.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We are the flying ambulance surgical team. We came down the day after the bombing to help out with the clinic, to help staff the clinic and to help out the people who had been working throughout the night."
SUPERCAPTION: Captain Wendy Beal, U-S Air force doctor
The new security measures may now be in place.
But it will be some time yet before the Al-Khobar - and the people stationed there - are fully recovered from the devastating attack.

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