Terror threat alert at UN headquarters

Published Oct 6, 2006

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By Reuters, Sapa-AFP

Geneva - Officials tightened security at the United Nations' European headquarters on Thursday after Swiss authorities warned of a possible threat against the premises, a spokesperson said.

Swiss authorities informed the United Nations of a "possible terrorist attack" against its European headquarters in Geneva, its biggest premises outside of New York, the world body said in a letter to staff on Thursday.

The letter encouraged staff to "increase the level of alertness and to take special protection measures".

Security and checks were stepped up at the sprawling Palais des Nations, the original League of Nations, but work and meetings continued, UN spokesperson Elena Ponomareva said.

The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, went further than a UN statement which referred merely to a "possible threat" against the organisation.

"...the Swiss authorities have contacted us to inform of a possible terrorist attack against United Nations' premises in Geneva," said the letter.

"This attack would take place between October 5 and the October 10: No information has been provided about the possible authors or the means to be used and no specific target has been mentioned," it said.

Eric Grandjean, a Geneva police spokesperson, said that police were helping with patrols and checks at UN entrances at the request of UN security. He declined to give the numbers deployed, but said they were "adequate preventive measures".

It is the second time in a year that the UN in Geneva has been put on high alert.

The previous occasion coincided with a visit by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan almost a year ago when a "credible security threat" was received via an unidentified UN member country.

Some 1 600 people work in the 1930s building, where the UN Human Rights Council is currently holding a three-week session to examine alleged violations - including counter-terrorism measures taken in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Annan had been due to be in Geneva this week but did not come as a planned summit in the Swiss city between the leaders of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea was cancelled.

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