THESSALONIKI: ENVELOP WITH WHITE POWDER ARRIVES AT CONSULATE

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