Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Fwd: White House press corps evacuated from work center

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1841092620070618
<http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1841092620070618>
By Matt Spetalnick and Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The press center across the street from the White
House was briefly evacuated on Monday after a bomb-sniffing dog prompted
a security check of an Israeli vehicle, U.S. officials said.

The temporary filing center is around the corner from Blair House, where
dignitaries often stay. Security was already tighter because of Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit from Monday.

Secret Service spokesman Darrin Blackford said a dog singled out a
vehicle parked on Jackson Place, in front of the press quarters.

"Police were called," Blackford said. "The vehicle is part of the
delegation that is staying at the Blair House."

Nothing was found in the vehicle, the Secret Service said later.

Olmert is staying at Blair House in advance of a meeting on Tuesday with
President George W. Bush.

(Additional reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky and Andy Sullivan)