FBI CONFIRMS EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY BOMB

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

DATE: MONDAY, March 1, 1993                   TAG: 9303010049
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune and The Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium
FBI CONFIRMS EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY BOMB
Erasing any doubt, the FBI announced Sunday that the deadly, disastrous explosion at the World Trade Center was the sinister work of a bomber.
But agents seemed no closer to identifying the culprit. They said a portion of the complex's foundation remains so unstable that investigators may not reach ground zero for a week.
"We are prepared to say at this time that it definitely was a bomb, in the opinion of the FBI," said James Fox, director of the agency's New York office. He said chemists were able to determine that much before being forced to halt their search for clues in a parking garage under the complex.
Asked for some theories on who could have done such a thing, Fox said:
"It certainly could be anyone. A lot of people have been laid off recently. It could be drug dealers upset with the U.S. government. Could be terrorists; could be any one of those."
The investigation into the Friday blast that killed at least five people and injured more than 1,000 has been hampered by structural instability in the foundation of a hotel adjacent to the 110-story towers.
One other Port Authority worker remained missing in the wake of the explosion that killed five people and injured more than 1,000.
Another Port Authority worker who had been reported missing since the explosion was accounted for when he was found safe outside the blast area. He was unaware anyone had been looking for him.
Meanwhile, local authorities said the number of calls claiming responsibility for the explosion increased to 40 by Sunday and more were expected.
And a shaken city beefed up security at airports and public buildings. "Every airport, every public building has now heightened security," Gov. Mario Cuomo said. "If, God forbid, it is terrorist-related, then it is not a terrorist attack on New York and New Jersey but on the whole United States."
Engineers said the twin towers - the world's second tallest skyscrapers after the Sears Tower in Chicago - and several other buildings would be closed for more than a week. The one ray of good news: Officials said the four commodity exchanges housed in the center could reopen today with skeleton crews.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB