Government continues to function

The White House has reassured the American people that in the wake of a series of airborne terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., the government continues to function, even as new security measures are implemented.

“The federal government is acting to help local governments … to take precautions” and help identify those responsible, said Karen Hughes, a spokeswoman for President Bush.

“At President Bush’s instruction, we have implemented our federal emergency response plan,” she added. “We have placed our [military] forces on high alert worldwide,” and all U.S. officials – including the national security team and Cabinet – have been secured, she said.

“The president is in continuous communication with” Vice President Dick Cheney, who is in Washington, “and key members of his cabinet and national security team,” Hughes said. “Senior staffers are gathered in a secure area in the White House … [and Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld remains at the Pentagon.”

Meanwhile, she said, Secretary of State Colin Powell is enroute back to Washington, having been turned around from a trip to Peru earlier today.

In what authorities believe was a coordinated terrorist attack, a total of four airliners were hijacked. Two were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, and one struck the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

The first plane struck the WTC shortly before 9 a.m. Eastern; then, as camera crews filmed the billowing smoke from the WTC, a second plane flew into the second tower about 18-20 minutes later.

Meanwhile, within an hour of the first attack, a third plane struck a wing of the Pentagon opposite the Potomac River.

A fourth plane, believed to have also been enroute to Washington, crashed 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, in rural Pennsylvania.

Casualties are unknown, but officials believe the count may be very high. At least 266 people – the number of passengers and crew aboard the four hijacked planes – are presumed dead.

Hughes said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has ordered all airports closed, and the FAA also ordered international flights diverted to alternate locations. The agency also said all U.S. domestic flights will be grounded until noon Eastern time on Wednesday, unless the agency decides to extend the ban.

“Every federal agency has implemented continuity of operations plans,” Hughes said.

Though markets were closed, the U.S. “financial system has continued to operate.”

Bush has ordered federal authorities to begin a vigorous investigation to find out who is responsible for today’s attacks.

“Our fellow citizens and our freedom came under attack today. But no one should doubt America’s resolve,” Hughes said, quoting from earlier comments made by Bush.

Former U.S. officials and other experts seemed to agree with Bush’s decisions.

“I think the administration is doing what it can do and what it should do,” said former Secretary of State James Baker, who speculated Bush would make a statement to the American people within a day or two.

Baker was President George Bush’s secretary of state during his term as 41st president.