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Clinton signs

anti-terrorism bill

WASHINGTON: President Bill Clinton signed an anti-terrorism bill on Wednesday that curbs US fund raising for terrorist groups, speeds the deportation of terrorist aliens and sharply limits appeals on death sentences.

"Fighting terrorism is and will for a long-time to come be one of the top security priorities of the United States", Clinton said at the signing ceremony on the White House lawn.

Flanked by victims of the Oklahoma City and World Trade Centre bombings as well as attacks abroad, Clinton also issued a warning to terrorists overseas.

"We have intensified partnerships with other countries to stand together against terrorists around the world", he said.

Both chambers of the Republican-led Congress approved the anti-terrorism bill last week, one year after the deadliest terrorist blast in US history in Oklahoma City which killed 168 people.

The bill, which Clinton has been urging Congress to pass for over a year, grants one billion dollars in new law enforcement funds and provides restitution to the victims of terrorism.

It also makes it easier for police to trace bombs to their makers by requiring chemical markers in some explosive materials and increases penalties for conspiracy to carry out bombings.

Under the bill, victims will be allowed to sue foreign state sponsors of terrorism and the president can withhold aid to countries which provide assistance to any country supporting terrorism.

Republicans rejected the Clinton's provisions to toughen gun laws and ban the distribution of bomb-making instructions over the Internet computer network.

Clinton touched on the Republican deletions during the signing in a bid to highlight his differences with the Congressional majority headed by his rival for the November presidential election, Republican Senate Leader Bob Dole.-AFP