Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THESSALONIKI91
2008-12-24 13:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Thessaloniki
Cable title:
THESSALONIKI: ENVELOP WITH WHITE POWDER ARRIVES AT CONSULATE
how-toVZCZCXRO4611 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHIK #0091 3591329 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 241329Z DEC 08 FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0411 INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS IMMEDIATE 0300 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0454
UNCLAS THESSALONIKI 000091
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS//IP/EUR, DS/DSS/TIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV GR
SUBJECT: THESSALONIKI: ENVELOP WITH WHITE POWDER ARRIVES AT CONSULATE
GENERAL
UNCLAS THESSALONIKI 000091
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS//IP/EUR, DS/DSS/TIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV GR
SUBJECT: THESSALONIKI: ENVELOP WITH WHITE POWDER ARRIVES AT CONSULATE
GENERAL
1. (SBU) Summary: On Wednesday, 24 December 2008, at 0940
local time, ConGen Thessaloniki's security receptionist
identified a suspicious envelope sent to the ConGen via local
mail service. The envelope contained a white powdery substance
and a note with the message "WE ARE ALQUAEDA FBI." The envelope
was opened in a bio-safety cabinet, and no employees were
directly exposed to the powder. Post has notified the local
Police and Fire Department and experts from the latter are
examining the envelope contents. The security receptionist has
gone to the hospital for precautionary tests. End summary.
2. (SBU) The envelope in question was picked up per usual
practice by a ConGen driver from the downtown post office at
about 9:00 on December 24. The driver brought the mail directly
to the Consulate entrance lobby where a member of the local
guard staff X-rayed it, also in accordance with normal
procedures. The Consulate's LES Security Receptionist then took
the mail to an area where all external (non-pouch) mail is
opened, in the basement of the building in which the Consulate
is located. Up to this point Consulate employees noticed
nothing unusual about the envelope or the other mail.
3. (SBU) ConGen's security receptionist/ Mail room clerk opened
the envelope along with other mail at 9:40 am in the basement
mail handling area. He used the bio-safety cabinet to open the
envelope because of the Texas return address that he had been
alerted to by previous Diplomatic Security communication. The
letter was postmarked from Texas and the note inside read, "WE
ARE ALQYADA FBI."
4. (SBU) After opening the envelop and ascertaining that there
was a white powder and the "ALQUADA" note inside, the mail clerk
left the mail processing room and locked the door. He notified
the Post Security Officer who notified Embassy Athens RSO office
and local police.
5. (SBU) Local police and fire hazardous material experts
responded and removed the envelope and its contents. All
materials have been sent to a local hospital laboratory for
testing. Initial results are expected in several hours.
6. (SBU) All consulate staff possibly exposed (all who may have
touched the envelope) immediately washed with bleach and have
begun a course of antibiotics as a precaution.
YEE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DS//IP/EUR, DS/DSS/TIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV GR
SUBJECT: THESSALONIKI: ENVELOP WITH WHITE POWDER ARRIVES AT CONSULATE
GENERAL
1. (SBU) Summary: On Wednesday, 24 December 2008, at 0940
local time, ConGen Thessaloniki's security receptionist
identified a suspicious envelope sent to the ConGen via local
mail service. The envelope contained a white powdery substance
and a note with the message "WE ARE ALQUAEDA FBI." The envelope
was opened in a bio-safety cabinet, and no employees were
directly exposed to the powder. Post has notified the local
Police and Fire Department and experts from the latter are
examining the envelope contents. The security receptionist has
gone to the hospital for precautionary tests. End summary.
2. (SBU) The envelope in question was picked up per usual
practice by a ConGen driver from the downtown post office at
about 9:00 on December 24. The driver brought the mail directly
to the Consulate entrance lobby where a member of the local
guard staff X-rayed it, also in accordance with normal
procedures. The Consulate's LES Security Receptionist then took
the mail to an area where all external (non-pouch) mail is
opened, in the basement of the building in which the Consulate
is located. Up to this point Consulate employees noticed
nothing unusual about the envelope or the other mail.
3. (SBU) ConGen's security receptionist/ Mail room clerk opened
the envelope along with other mail at 9:40 am in the basement
mail handling area. He used the bio-safety cabinet to open the
envelope because of the Texas return address that he had been
alerted to by previous Diplomatic Security communication. The
letter was postmarked from Texas and the note inside read, "WE
ARE ALQYADA FBI."
4. (SBU) After opening the envelop and ascertaining that there
was a white powder and the "ALQUADA" note inside, the mail clerk
left the mail processing room and locked the door. He notified
the Post Security Officer who notified Embassy Athens RSO office
and local police.
5. (SBU) Local police and fire hazardous material experts
responded and removed the envelope and its contents. All
materials have been sent to a local hospital laboratory for
testing. Initial results are expected in several hours.
6. (SBU) All consulate staff possibly exposed (all who may have
touched the envelope) immediately washed with bleach and have
begun a course of antibiotics as a precaution.
YEE