snews

From: "nu-monet v5.0" <nothing@succeeds.com>
Newsgroups: alt.slack
Date: Sun, Sep 15, 2002 7:38 PM

Washington, D.C. - The government is preparing to invoke
special powers to help fight armed terrorist groups in
the US, including measures that will require people in
parts of the US to register, obtain permission to travel
and carry ID cards.

The so-called "Rehabilitation Zones," which will include
parts of between 14 to 32 states, are allowed under a
presidential decree issued Sept. 10 that also permits
security forces to conduct warrantless searches and hold
suspects for months before consulting a judge.

The government is preparing to declare the Rehabilitation
Zones in seven regions, covering parts of a minimum of
14 states where "terrorist supporters" are putting the
civilian population "in danger."

In the zones, the government can require all residents to
register with civilian authorities, restrict travel, impose
curfews and issue special identification cards to local
residents, the decree says. Residents of areas where
identification cards have been issued can be detained for
up to 24 hours for not carrying the cards.

A military commander from the North American Command in
each zone can collect information about where residents
live, what vehicles they use and jobs they work at as well
as who has permits to carry guns, the decree says.

The government can also restrict travel of foreigners
within the zone, a measure that has foreign reporters
concerned that their ability to report uncensored news
will be limited.

Government officials could not be reached to comment on
the plans but Attorney General John Ashcroft said that the
powers granted to the state of were "soft."

"When the decision is made the create a zone, it is
because we are facing the probability that something
very serious is about to happen to the civilian
population," he said.

"There are new procedures that are being studied that
we can use, not everywhere, but specifically where we
need them, to protect civilians and attack the
terrorists," he said.

--
"Let's die with music."
-- Russian saying

Back to document index

Original file name: snews.txt - converted on Friday, 13 June 2003, 22:43