Suspicious Package Causes Scare
School Cancels Event With Ex-White House Press Secretaries

By Del Quentin Wilber and Martin Weil
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, October 26, 2008

Two powerful Washington traditions clashed yesterday at American University: the politically oriented panel discussion and the suspicious package.

As is usual, caution and the package took priority, and the much-anticipated discussion featuring former White House press secretaries, a highlight of this year's family and alumni weekend, was canceled.

Michael McNair, chief of the campus police force, said authorities were notified about 3 p.m. of a briefcase in a garage at Bender Arena, which was to be the site of the discussion, featuring Ari Fleischer, Mike McCurry and Dee Dee Myers.

The briefcase was in the middle of a ramp, and the D.C. police bomb squad was called, McNair said.

An X-ray scan did nothing to allay suspicion. It showed wires and other electronic apparatus, McNair said.

Police detonated the briefcase and concluded that it had contained only video equipment.

But the damage had been done, and the residue of the detonated bag included regret and disruption.

AU spokeswoman Maralee Csellar said it was necessary to cancel the discussion because officials had not been able to make appropriate arrangements in the arena, which was among the buildings cordoned off.

She said about 1,200 parents and alumni had paid $12 each for tickets. About 300 students, who were not required to pay admission, were also expected to attend, Csellar said.

AU said it will contact ticket holders about refunds for the event, titled, "They'll Take Your Questions Now: Views From Behind the Podium."

McCurry, a press secretary under President Bill Clinton, said he "was almost walking out the door" of his home when he got a phone call saying that he had "better hold on."

"We were looking forward to it," McCurry said.

Myers said she was disappointed for herself and for the campus. She said she had anticipated seeing the others and "having at it."

Judy Duratinsky of Chicago, whose daughter Dara attends AU, said they had cut short a visit to Georgetown.

"We came back specifically to see this forum," she told Tony Romm of the campus newspaper, the Eagle. "If we had known, we would have stayed in Georgetown."

The Kennedy Political Union, which sponsored the event, is a student-run, on-campus political speakers bureau, according to its Web site.

McNair said the owner of the briefcase later showed up. He said it was theorized that the man had left it atop his car and that it fell off when he drove away.