Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 5, 1991                   TAG: 9103050133
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

TERRORISM STILL LIKELY, U.S. SAYS/ END OF GULF WAR WON'T END THREATS

During the six-week war there were about 160 incidents of terrorism worldwide, about half directed at U.S. targets. One American died and three were wounded in the attacks, the department said.

Few of the incidents can be linked directly to Iraq, and the United States experienced no terrorism, the brief report said.

"Nevertheless," it added, "terrorism remains a serious concern in the postwar period. Previous wars in the Middle East have frequently been followed by a terrorist aftermath."

When President Bush ordered an attack on Iraq in mid-January, many Americans were anxious about the possibility that Iraq would retaliate with terrorism. The State Department cautioned against unnecessary travel abroad and put several countries off-limits.

But the report said the vast majority of incidents since then were uncoordinated, low-level bombings that caused no injuries and only slight property damage.

They were concentrated in southeastern Europe and the Andean region of South America.

"There is currently no specific and credible information on a terrorist threat to the American public," the report said.

"We are saying, at the same time, to be cautious," said Margaret Tutwiler, the State Department spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, the region remains unsettled. The State Department has received reports that Palestinian Arabs in Kuwait are being mistreated.

The Kuwaiti royal family, which was restored to power by the allied victory over Iraq, has assured Washington "they are taking steps to prevent reprisals" against Palestinians, Tutwiler said.