Baldacci: Maine faces’no specific threat’

AUGUSTA – Maine faces no specific security threats as the nation prepares to invade Iraq, and Mainers should go about their lives as usual, Gov. John Baldacci said Tuesday after a briefing with federal officials.

The governor, speaking a day after federal officials declared an orange state of alert nationally, said Mainers “should be reassured” that the state has taken all of the steps needed in preparation for a war-related attack.

“Maine citizens are encouraged to go about doing their everyday activities,” said Baldacci. “There is no specific threat.”

Baldacci and Maj. Gen. Joseph Tinkham, who heads the Maine Army and Air National Guard, were briefed Monday night with leaders of other states in a conference call with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

A heightened state of alert is in effect near Maine’s two oil depots in Searsport and Portland, Baldacci said. Owners of other sites that could be terrorist targets were being advised Tuesday afternoon to ramp up their security oversight, Tinkham said.