White House officials confirm there is a shadow U.S. government operating in a secret location, in case of a catastrophic attack on Washington.

Friday, President Bush said his administration takes the issue of government continuity seriously. The shadow government reportedly began operating within hours of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

At any one time, about 100 senior federal officials are living and working underground at two unnamed bunkers on the U.S. East Coast.

The operation is based on a plan drawn up half a century ago, during the Cold War (administration of former President Dwight Eisenhower), but never before implemented.

Vice President Dick Cheney has spent large portions of time at what have been described as "secure and undisclosed" locations since the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Leaders of Congress reportedly were not told of the plan for a shadow government operation, ready to step in to keep the country operating in the event of a devastating attack on the capital.

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