US embassies in powder scares

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-26  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE United States embassy in Turkmenistan was on high alert yesterday after receiving a package containing a suspicious white powder.

US embassies in up to 20 countries have received envelopes containing suspicious white powder since December 8. In most missions the packages were found to be harmless.

The US embassy in Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic bordering Afghanistan and Iran, said it closed its chancery on December 23 after receiving a suspect package.

"Turkmen authorities were notified and they are investigating the powder for biological and chemical toxins," it said.

The US Embassy in Seoul received a similar package on Wednesday.

Tests showed that the substance was not anthrax or the deadly poison ricin ?? both of which have been used in mail attacks in the US.

The US embassy in Cyprus received a similar package on Monday and police were called in.

US authorities have been on alert for such letters since 2001, when envelopes laced with the anthrax toxin were sent to media outlets and to US politicians, killing five people.

Last week, the FBI said eight US embassies in Europe received letters containing a white powder in what the agency called a hoax.