New Cabinet post to boost Oly safety?

Utah political leaders expect the man named to head the nation's new Office of Homeland Security will play a role in safeguarding the 2002 Winter Games from terrorism.

President Bush nominated Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to the Cabinet-level post Thursday as part of his plan to wage war on terrorists.

"Yes, he is definitely involved," said Chris Rosche, spokesman for Sen. Orrin Hatch, R—Utah. "He's already been alerted to this issue."

Ridge will be "working on it with us," he said. Ridge, a moderate Republican and Vietnam War veteran, intends to resign as governor Oct. 5 to accept the job.

Gov. Mike Leavitt also anticipates Ridge will take part in Olympic security planning.

"If I were in his shoes, I'd be out front to see things are being done well," he said.

Leavitt plans to be in contact with Ridge, whom he came to know well through the National Governors' Association, in the coming weeks. "I'm confident I'm going to be able to gain his attention," he said.

Leavitt, Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson and Salt Lake Organizing Committee President Mitt Romney likely will be among a group of federal, state and local officials Hatch is assembling, probably in Washington, D.C., to review Olympic security plans, which Rosche said are "very much in flux."

"This will be done at the highest levels of government. This is a big deal," Rosche said.

Rep. Chris Cannon, R—Utah, said it's too early to tell what part the Homeland Security office will play in Olympic security. It will take a little time to establish a budget for the office and determine the scope of its authority, he said. But, Cannon said, he's sure the president hopes to have it going soon enough to make Olympic safety a priority.

The Games are less than five months away.

Ridge will coordinate 40 federal agencies and departments and oversee interaction between the FBI and the CIA in developing and using intelligence as well as work with governors and state agencies to adequately prepare for potential terrorism.

In his Thursday night speech to Congress, Bush said he chose Ridge to lead a "comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism and respond to any attacks that may come."