Compiled from reports by staff writer Hanna Rosin, the Associated Press and Reuters
Thursday, January 6, 2000; Page A09

Christian Right Groups

Protest FBI's Warnings

With no sign yet of domestic millennial terrorism, a coalition of conservative Christian groups yesterday called for Congress to investigate what it considers the FBI's overblown pre-New Year's warnings about the threat of Christian extremists.

Echoing a complaint frequently made by Arab Americans, 32 religious right groups claim an October report by the FBI's domestic terrorism unit paints millennial Christians--which includes most evangelicals--as dangerous.

The coalition first raised concerns in a November letter to House Republican leaders, after contents of "Project Megiddo" were revealed.

FBI spokesman John Collingwood yesterday defended Project Megiddo, saying it was not intended to target any individual or group or "besmirch" anyone's reputation. He said it was designed to alert the law enforcement community to potential threats linked to the millennium.

Cyber Tactics to Join Arsenal

The Pentagon plans to make cyber blitzes on a foe's computer networks a standard war tactic, the incoming second-ranking U.S. military officer said.

After policy and legal issues are sorted out, cyber tactics should take their place in every commander's arsenal alongside bombs, cruise missiles and attack helicopters, Air Force Gen. Richard Myers told a Pentagon briefing.

"I think it's just going to be one more arrow in the quiver," said Myers, who takes over as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on March 1.

Order Closes Test Pilot School

The State Department has ordered the world's largest civilian test-pilot school to stop teaching foreigners, fearing the classes may supply hostile nations with information about U.S. weapons systems.

The National Test Pilot School at Mojave Airport said that since 15 of the 17 students in the class that began Monday are not Americans, the order it received that same day effectively closed the school. Tuition for the yearlong class is $500,000 per student. The school has a staff of 50.

The State Department said it realized that the school lacked a license to teach foreigners after four Pakistani pilots applied for U.S. visas so they could train in supersonic fighter jets.

Hastert's Endorsement Assailed Retiring Rep. Thomas W. Ewing (R-Ill.) sharply criticized House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), a close friend, for endorsing a state representative over Ewing's son Sam in an Illinois Republican congressional primary.

"It sends kind of cold chills down the backs of other members," Ewing said. "If he'll do it to a friend, what will he do to someone else? I think he has confused his responsibility to his party with his desire to keep himself in office."

Hastert announced his support for Republican state Rep. Bill Brady Tuesday; three other Republicans also are running.

Hastert's spokesman, John Feehery, said the speaker was convinced that Ewing's retirement left the seat vulnerable to a Democratic takeover. "It's certainly not a given" that Republicans will keep the seat, Feehery said. "With our slim majority, there really is no margin for error."