America sets up 'shadow government' at secret locations
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Your support makes all the difference.The fear of another terror strike against America has led President Bush to establish a "shadow government" that is operating at two fortified locations away from Washington.
Up to 150 senior staff were dispatched to the secret bases in the immediate aftermath of the 11 September attacks to ensure government could continue to function in the event of a crippling terrorist attack – perhaps involving nuclear weap-ons. The bases are meant to ensure disruptions to the nation's food, water and energy supplies, and breaks in communications and transport links, will be as limited as possible.
The so-called Continuity of Operations Plan was first conceived as a Cold War precaution against nuclear attack during the Eisenhower administration in the 1950s but never put into place until last year. It was initially thought that the shadow team would only be in place for a few days but the US intelligence community believes that the threat of another terror attack from al-Qa'ida is great enough to warrant its continued operation.
Those involved – who work on a rotation of up to 90 days – are not allowed to tell their families where they are going, other than "on a business trip".
Mr Bush confirmed the existence of the shadow government yesterday and said: "I have an obligation, and my administration has an obligation to protect ... and put measures into place that should there be an attack on Washington DC there is an ongoing government." Vice-President Dick Cheney spends most of his time away from Washington in a secure location.
The plan – put into operation in the first hours after the attacks on New York and Washington – involves personnel from all of the cabinet departments. They operate from two secret locations on the east coast that use local geological features to make them extremely secure. The bases are stocked with supplies and can generate their own power.
Last week, Senator Bob Graham, chairman of the Senate's intelligence select committee, said about 100 al-Qa'ida sleepers were in America, posing an "immediate threat".
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