SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- The U.S. Coast Guard is more closely
                  watching the coastlines of Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
                  Island now that the nation is at a heightened orange threat level, a
                  spokesman said.

                  The increased security is part of the U.S. government's plan called "Operation Liberty Shield" to
                  fortify the country against terror and involves federal, state and local governments, as well as
                  private businesses such as chemical plants and banks.

                  The Caribbean, with hundreds of hard-to-patrol islands, is an area of major drug and illegal
                  migrant smuggling. U.S. and regional officials have voiced concern about the region being used
                  as a launching pad for terrorists.

                  About 200 reservists have been called up to help out the 5,000 or so active members of the
                  Coast Guard's 7th District, which includes Florida and the Caribbean, spokesman Ryan Doss
                  said.

                  "We're pulling a lot of our cutters and bringing them closer to our coasts," Doss said by
                  telephone from Miami.

                  Customs and border patrol officials were also increasing security checks at land borders,
                  airports, sea ports and railroad crossings, said Zachary Mann, U.S. border patrol and customs
                  spokesman for homeland security.

                  "We're increasing the level of activity...this would also include activity by our own air and
                  marine assets," Mann said, but could not give information on where they were deployed for
                  security reasons.

                  The nation's terror alert status was raised Monday night from "elevated" to "high," after Bush
                  said the U.S. military was ready to attack Iraq.

                  The Coast Guard said the focus shift on protecting U.S. territories would not compromise
                  patrolling for illegal migrants and drug smugglers in the Caribbean.

                  "We are protecting our borders with more assets and personnel than ever," said Captain
                  Wayne Justice, chief of operations for the Coast Guard district.

                  "Anyone considering to attempt illegal smuggling activities beware that they will be caught, will
                  be taken as a serious threat and will be dealt with accordingly," Justice said in a statement.

                  U.S. authorities estimate 650 tons (591.5 metric tons) of South American cocaine travels
                  through the region to the United States, while each month hundreds of migrants from Haiti, the
                  Dominican Republic and increasingly Cuba risk dangerous trips aboard overcrowded boats in
                  search better economic opportunities on U.S. shores.

                  Copyright 2003 The Associated Press