Cyanide letter threat to Cup

[62_Kiwi]

26.02.2003<br />By PATRICK GOWER, PAULA OLIVER and ALAN PERROTT <br />NZ Herald<br /><br /> NZ Herald Article <br /><br />A national security alert has been sparked after the discovery of a letter containing cyanide which makes a terrorist threat to the America's Cup. <br /><br />Letters were sent to the United States Embassy and the British and Australian High Commissions at the same time last week. <br /><br />Two contained a powdered substance that police have since found to be harmless. <br /><br />But the third contained cyanide. <br /><br />Police have not revealed which diplomatic mission received the cyanide letter and refuse to disclose contents of the message to diminish copy-cat actions. <br /><br />The threats have led police and health chiefs to make a rare public warning for all New Zealanders to be vigilant when taking public transport, eating in restaurants and public places or eating packaged foods. <br /><br />The letters were intercepted at the South Auckland Mail Centre on Thursday night after staff noticed powder on a conveyer belt used to carry mail. <br /><br />A copy of the letter, also containing powder, was received by the New Zealand Herald on Monday. <br /><br />It was taken away by police. The substance was analysed and found to be harmless. <br /><br />The letter writer warns that an escalation of events in Iraq could trigger terrorist action. Police said similar threats were levelled at the America's Cup. <br /><br />The level of security at the Viaduct Basin, the hub of cup activity, is being constantly monitored, police say. <br /><br />The letter to the Herald contained a tissue as well as the powder, which made the worker opening it suspicious. <br /><br />She immediately put the letter down, but before it was taken by police she noticed a "foreign phrase". <br /><br />The Herald address had been typed, photocopied, cut into a square and glued on to the envelope. <br /><br />Police believe the threats could be linked to a similar letter received at the US Embassy a year ago, threatening an attack on the NZ Golf Open, which featured Tiger Woods. <br /><br />Enough cyanide was in the letter to have killed up to 15 people if ingested. If converted to a gas, it could have killed 100 people.<br /><br />

 

[flashback]

Re: Cyanide letter threat to Cup

Even you folks in paradise have to watch out for the jerks in this world.. You know, I am so sick of all the political retoric on what to do with Iraq. Sadam has proven beyond a doubt that he has, can and will kill a lot of folks if left to do what he wants. what is all the hoopla about? the sooner we get in there and kick his butt, the sooner we can get back to living....... by the way, when are you guys gonna let the races resume?

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Cyanide letter threat to Cup

Flashback I agree with what you're saying. Terrorists are everywhere these days and something needs to be done about it.<br /><br />As someone who works in close proximity to the America's Cup Village (Auckland Viaduct) I think I can speak as a potential target for this terrorist threat. My reaction is - never give the terrorist what he demands - this is all the more reason (not that we needed any more reasons) to hit back hard at the sources of terror. I hope others will react the same way. Today I am even more convinced that the war on terrorism must continue. Today Saddam, tommorrow another terror source - the job must continue until it's done.<br /><br />Back to the Cup.... the weather today looks bad...high winds, rain clouds etc. Well on the bright side - at least we are still holding the Cup, for now....