-Caveat Lector- Security High for NATO's 50th By DAVID BRISCOE .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- The city that made its way through the Million Man March, massive civil rights and anti-war protests and quadrennial inaugurations is taking unprecedented steps to protect an event that will attract few spectators -- largely because those who come will be stopped at the barricades. Bomb squads, SWAT teams and other federal and local police units and personnel are throwing a smothering security blanket over America's capital beginning Friday to protect leaders of about 40 countries meeting for NATO's 50th anniversary. The cloak of protection, intensified because of the NATO bombing campaign, includes the first-ever closing of several Smithsonian museums for security reasons. Police are virtually shutting down more than two dozen blocks in the busy heart of the city. Yet organizers continue to scale back public aspects of the gathering, turning it solely toward serious business topped by talk on NATO's conflict with Yugoslavia. Bleachers just set up for a major outdoor ceremony were being dismantled Monday after leaders decided to meet on Kosovo Friday morning instead of holding a public ceremony and parade. Strategy sessions and security drills began six months ago to prepare for anything from drive-by shootings or truck bombing to nuclear or biological terrorism. ``We are the No. 1 target in the world,'' said Jim Rice, FBI special agent for terrorism. ``But we have home-field advantage. We know the streets. We know the skyline. If something is out of place, we know it.'' Altogether, 17 agencies are involved, including riot police and hazardous chemical units, plus security details for each world leader. ``All are prepared to respond to an emergency,'' said Secret Service Special Agent Jim Mackin. ``Our goal in planning was to prevent them from having to do that.'' The war in Kosovo and U.S. and British skirmishes with Iraq add to potential security problems. But so far neither action has brought a specific threat -- at least not one made public. ``I don't want to jinx anything, but the threats we have today are the same ones we had yesterday and the day before,'' Rice said. ``We are prepared.'' Traffic will be banned from several blocks surrounding the sprawling new Ronald Reagan Building downtown, where the leaders will meet. Closer in, even pedestrians will be restricted. Nine downtown Smithsonian museums were set to close Friday. Museum officials agreed to the unprecedented shutdown after NATO organizers demanded that nonessential government workers in a nearly 100-block security zone stay home to sharply reduce the number of people in the area. The zone includes much of the National Mall. The three most popular museums will remain open -- Air and Space, Natural History and American History -- and all museums will be open Saturday and Sunday. They usually close only on Christmas. ``We got pressure not to bring any of our people in,'' said Smithsonian spokesman David J. Umansky. ``But we have a responsibility to the American people,'' who expect the free museums to be open. Eight busy downtown streets and a major subway stop next to the NATO meeting site will be closed for the three-day event. And all city schools will close Friday, including those miles from the summit. ``If I were a terrorist, this is the last town I would hit,'' said Frank Cilluffo, global crime expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Nevertheless, the summit provides a tempting target ``for those interested in showcasing something to the world.'' The principal terrorist threat is from truck bombs, which is what much of the physical security around Washington is designed to stop, noted Brian Michael Jenkins, a California-based terrorism analyst. But, he said, ``Can those measures prevent some individual or ad hoc conspiracy or terrorist group on behalf of a multitude of causes from setting a bomb somewhere in the city? Absolutely not.'' DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! 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