ALLEGED DRUG CHIEFTAN THREATENS TO KILL AMERICANS

WASHINGTON -- A St. Kitts drug trafficker known as "Little Nut" is
threatening to randomly kill American veterinary students there if the
United States succeeds in extraditing him for trial, the State Department
said yesterday.

The threats by 37-year-old Charles Miller, wanted in Florida for cocaine
smuggling, prompted an implicit warning that American authorities are
prepared to go after the man if he harms U.S. citizens.

"Anyone who is considering carrying out such threats should bear in mind the
U.S. government's determination to bring to justice anyone who commits acts
of terrorism against U.S. citizens anywhere in the world," said State
Department spokesman James P. Rubin.

Miller, described in published reports as a millionaire who drives a
bulletproof BMW, has eluded St. Kitts authorities for years.

There are about 250 American students and 50 U.S. faculty at Ross Veterinary
University on the island in the eastern Caribbean, not far from the U.S.
Virgin Islands. U.S. consular and security officials met with students and
other members of the American community Wednesday. Another meeting is
planned for today.

Miller has "made a threat that, if he is extradited, he will kill
Americans," Rubin said. "And based on our experience and knowledge of this
individual, we believe the threat is sufficiently specific and credible to
justify alerting the American citizens on the island."

Colombian traffickers have been making increased use of Caribbean islands as
transit points for U.S.-bound cocaine. U.S. officials say corruption is a
problem on many islands, St. Kitts included.

A recent article in Newsweek magazine said Miller openly helped finance the
campaign of St. Kitts Prime Minister Denzil Douglas three years ago. Douglas
denies having any links to Miller.

Rubin said U.S. officials have Douglas's commitment to do all possible to
protect American citizens.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett