Low Graphics Site
 
 
 
 
 
 
|
|
|
|
October 18, 2001
|
Thursday
|
Rajab 30, 1422
|
US, Britain close Bosnia embassies
SARAJEVO, Oct 17: The US and British embassies in Bosnia were closed on Wednesday due to a “security threat” believed linked with the ongoing US-led military operation in Afghanistan, officials said.
The British embassy and its consular offices in Bosnia were temporarily closed because of a security threat, embassy spokeswoman Munevera Mahinic said.
“The threat appears to be connected to the current military operation in Afghanistan,” she said.
The American embassy in Sarajevo, along with its offices in Mostar and Banja Luka and the offices of the US aid agency (USAID) in Bosnia were closed, the US embassy’s press office said, adding that the closures were due to a “credible security threat to the US official presence in Bosnia-Hercegovina.”
The embassy did not elaborate on the nature of the threat.
“We are evaluating the situation and we are not going to speculate on the reopening date,” the press office said.
A spokesman for the 19,300-strong NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) said they were “aware of the threat,” but no special measures were taken, since the security level has been increased ever since the September 11 attacks in the United States.
Bosnian Prime Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija told reporters Wednesday that the country had been informed of the threat and remained “in close contact” with US embassy officials.
“We have undertaken additional security measures,” he said without elaborating.
Jozo Krizanovic, chairman of the Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, said Bosnians need not worry about their safety despite the threats.
In a written statement sent to the media, Krizanovic wrote that the “citizens of Sarajevo and Bosnia-Hercegovina had no reason to worry”.
“Increased security measures were taken preventively so that the authorized institutions could carry out efficient activities on protecting diplomatic offices” in Bosnia, statement from Krizanovic’s office said.
It added that the country’s officials and international representatives in Bosnia were coordinating their activities.—AFP
|
