Скачать или смотреть Embassy closed to public, security concerns cited

(5 Aug 2004)

New Delhi, Aug 5 2004
1. Various of newspaper headlines about the American mission in New Delhi closed due to security concerns
2. Various of press release issued by US Embassy

New Delhi, recent
3. Various of US embassy building
4. Security outside US embassy building

STORYLINE :

The US Embassy in the Indian capital was closed for a day on Thursday due to security concerns, though officials declined to comment on reports that the compound had received a threat by the al-Qaida terrorist network.

Two national newspapers reported on Thursday that the embassy was warned of an al-Qaida strike against the American mission in New Delhi.

The Hindustan Times quoted unnamed sources as saying intelligence was intercepted in Afghanistan and passed on to senior US diplomats in New Delhi.

An Indian intelligence official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the security alert by the US Embassy follows information gathered from Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, a Tanzanian sought by US officials for the 1998 bombings of US embassies in East Africa, and some other suspected al-Qaida members who were arrested in Pakistan last month.

The Consular Section, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Office and the library at the American Centre were all closed to the public, the embassy said in a statement.

The American recreational club on the US Embassy compound in New Delhi - where children were attending summer camp - remained open.

Also, the consular sections at the Consulate General offices in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were to remain open to public on Thursday.

The statement did not disclose what prompted the closure and Unni Menon, a press officer at the embassy, said the embassy would not comment on "security-related issues."

Police have beefed up security at the embassy and the American Centre.

Many foreigners leave New Delhi during the hot summer months, but were returning in great numbers this week as the American and British schools were scheduled to reopen next week.

The US Embassy came under a similar threat in 2001 when a Sudanese national and two Indian associates were arrested in New Delhi for allegedly plotting a blast on the embassy compound.

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