United States intelligence warned Turkey recently about a biological or chemical attack, a Turkish government official said Wednesday, amidst reports that the substances had been smuggled into the country to be used against the U.S. and Russian embassies.
Anatolia news agency reported that all provincial police departments were put on alert after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) informed Turkish authorities that the material may be used in attacks on the two embassies or the Turkish public.
A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government had been warned by U.S. officials about a possible attack involving biological or chemical substances, but downplayed its importance, saying police were frequently on alert since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
In the meantime, the U.S. Embassy said it had no information on the report and the Turkish official wouldn't provide further details. Anatolia reported that a substance in the form of a cream was sent by courier to a man inside Turkey by a Georgian citizen who used the name Abu Atiya. The report said a second suspect who used the alias Abu Tasiir was being sought inside Turkey.
The news agency didn't have any data as to whether the suspects belong to a known terrorist organization. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
