Embassies Back In Business

The United States Monday reopened five of six embassies in Africa that were shuttered last week. The embassy in Madagascar remains closed.

Announcing the action, State Department spokesman James P. Rubin said "additional security measures" had been taken but concerns about suspicious surveillance remained.

The decision to return to normal business in Gambia, Togo, Liberia, Namibia and Senegal was made over the weekend after consultations among various U.S. agencies.

However, a close eye will be kept on the embassies, which were closed as a "prudent measure" after they were found to be under surveillance, Rubin said.

U.S. intelligence had concluded earlier there were indications Osama bin Laden, an exiled Saudi millionaire suspected of heading a terrorist organization, was in the final stages of planning a terrorist attack.

Rubin repeated that concern. Asked why the United States could not collar bin Laden, the U.S. official said: "His day will come."

The first anniversary of the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania last Aug. 7 is approaching, and bin Laden is accused in a trial in New York of masterminding the attacks. There are 15 defendants of whom nine are fugitives, including bin Laden.

The blasts killed 224 people, including 12 Americans in Nairobi.

Since the twin bombings, security at many U.S. embassies worldwide, including the six in Africa, has been improved by adding physical barriers, installing video cameras and building walls, fences and barricades, the State Department said.

The number of local guards has increased and embassies have worked with the host countries to close streets or change traffic patterns. Property surrounding embassies was acquired in some cases.

The State Department has added 140 special security agent jobs overseas and temporarily sent hundreds of diplomatic security officers to foreign posts. U.S. officials also are moving to hire and train 200 new security agents.