Bush says country 'still in danger' from terrorist attacks

AP White House CorrespondentWASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Friday the nation "is still in danger" from future attacks by terrorists, but vowed that "they will not take this country down." The administration stepped up efforts to choke off funds that nurture Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida network.

Speaking at the White House, Bush noted a fourth case of anthrax, this one in New York City. "It's got to cause concern for our country," Bush said, adding that the government has dispatched law enforcement and health experts.

"I want everybody in the country to know we're responding rapidly," he said.

Just over one month after attacks killed thousands in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, Bush emphatically urged Americans to return to everyday activities.

"We cannot let the terrorists lock our country down. We can't let terrorists, a few evildoers, hold us hostage," he said.

The nation remained on high alert, following what Bush said Thursday night was a "general threat" of possible additional terrorist strikes in the next several days. Congress labored over legislation to expand the power of law enforcement authorities trying to combat terrorism. Work on a companion measure to strengthen airline security appeared stuck.

Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill announced the Bush administration's latest move to cut off financing. "We are determined to deny terrorists the resources to carry out their acts of evil," he said.

The new list includes all 22 men on the FBI's newly compiled list of most wanted terrorists, as well as businesses and organizations funneling money to al-Qaida.

On the morning after a prime-time presidential news conference, senior White House officials said Bush harbored no illusions that the ruling Taliban regime in Afghanistan will turn over bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Bush had offered the Taliban a second chance on Thursday night, suggesting he would halt the aerial assault if they handed over bin Laden.