New Study Finds D.C. Monuments Tempting Terrorist Targets
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Terrorists might find the monuments in our nation's capital tempting and relatively easy targets. That's the conclusion of a newly released study. The report, detailed in today's "Washington Post," lists several frightening scenarios where terrorists could easily destroy national monuments, particularly those on the Mall. The report was funded by the National Park Service, charged with keeping the monuments safe. It makes a case for augmenting the Park Service budget. Of greatest concern to the authors of that study, the vulnerability of the Washington Monument. The 500-foot obelisk sits in the middle of L'Enfant's wonderful mall, a global symbol of our glorious republic. And today, it gleams a little brighter inside and out after the completion of a $10 million restoration campaign. The official restoration celebration is scheduled for tomorrow, Independence Day eve. Joining us with more on what's new at the 115-year-old tribute to the father of our nation is Lisa Mendelson with the National Park Service. Lisa, thanks for being with us.</s>LISA MENDELSON, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: Good morning.</s>O'BRIEN: Before we start talking about the restoration effort, let me just ask you about this study which came out in the "Washington Post" this morning, this independent study. How much concern is there within the ranks of the Park Service about the vulnerability of these monuments to terrorism?</s>MENDELSON: The National Park Service is entrusted with the care and protection of national monuments like the Washington Monument and other parks throughout the country. We've worked closely with our National Park, United States Park Police with the study and we have already begun, as you can see behind me with the white jersey barriers to implement some recommendations that match those of the study.</s>O'BRIEN: Well, it must be a difficult balance because on the one hand, the very nature of the Mall and the monuments is that they're free and open to the general public and in so doing you necessarily create a security risk, don't you?</s>MENDELSON: That's absolutely correct. However, visitors should feel comfortable coming here. We have Park Police out and about. The Park Police presence is one of the key elements in maintaining that security.</s>O'BRIEN: So what should be done about it? Do we need more security out there, more people?</s>MENDELSON: The National Park Service works very closely with the National Park Police and we will begin to and we will continue to implement some of the recommendations that were made in the study and again, a key component of that is, in fact, staffing.</s>O'BRIEN: All right, let's go on to the more fun stuff, talking about the restoration. This $10 million campaign, which was partially funded by the retailer Target, if anybody has been watching it over the past year or so would have been, it's very obvious to them that this has been underway because of the huge scaffolding that was erected around it. Is this unprecedented in the history of the Washington Monument, this level of restoration?</s>MENDELSON: That's correct. The Monument has had several other restorations in the '30s and in the '60s, but nothing as extensive as this three-year, three-phase, $10 million project.</s>O'BRIEN: Well, aside from the obvious, there was some work sort of re-pointing the thing, adding, you know, fixing the masonry. What was being done inside all the while?</s>MENDELSON: On the inside, as visitors will see for the first time on July 31st when we reopen to the public, new exhibit areas were installed. The observation level at 500 feet where the windows allow visitors to have terrific views over Washington and the surrounding area, those areas were improved for visitor enjoyment, and as well, the 193 commemorative stones that line the walls of the Monument on the stairwell throughout the Monument, those have been cleaned and conserved by National Park Service conservators.</s>O'BRIEN: And you maintained the stairwell, can you still scale the Monument on foot if you choose to do so?</s>MENDELSON: Indeed, you can, accompanied by a National Park Service ranger. We offer walk down tours.</s>O'BRIEN: Checking your pulse all the way, I guess, huh?</s>MENDELSON: Absolutely.</s>O'BRIEN: All right, just briefly tell us about the celebrations in store for tomorrow.</s>MENDELSON: Tomorrow, the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation and Target Stores will celebrate and commemorate this, the conclusion of this three year project at 10 o'clock here on the Washington Monument grounds. That will be followed Wednesday, Independence Day, by a spectacular fireworks display, a family oriented variety show on the Sullivan stage and a parade along Independence -- along Constitution Avenue. That, too, is supported through a generous donation from Target Stores and the National Park Foundation.</s>O'BRIEN: All right, we're just about out of time, Lisa, but I've got to ask you, what has become of that wonderful scaffolding arrangement?</s>MENDELSON: The scaffolding was a very utilitarian tool for the Park Service to undertake the work that we did and it was rented from the contractor and the contractor now has it somewhere in his possession.</s>O'BRIEN: All right, I figured somebody would buy it and erect it somewhere in the Midwest or something. All right, Lisa Mendelson with the Park Service, good luck with the celebrations and good luck making it safe. Thank you very much for being with us on</s>CNN SUNDAY MORNING. MENDELSON: Thank you.