US Warns of 'New Terror Threat' (Europe!)

BBC ^ | November 1, 2004 | BBC

[underwiredsupport]

 

US warns of 'new terror threat'

 

The US has warned its citizens in Nordic and Baltic states of the threat of imminent attacks.

In a statement posted on the Finnish embassy website, the state department warns citizens to be vigilant, especially when using public transport.

A statement on the Latvian embassy website warns citizens to avoid crowded areas and transport hubs from Monday.

They do not provide further details or say whether the threat is linked to Tuesday's US presidential elections.

'Threat information'

"The US Department of State wishes to alert US citizens, either resident in or travelling through the Nordic/Baltic region, that it has received threat information," says the statement on the Helsinki embassy website.

It warns all citizens to "be vigilant as to their surroundings, especially in centres of ground-based mass transit, and to report any unusual or suspicious persons, incidents or circumstances to the nearest police authorities."

The statement on the Riga embassy website adds that "citizens are urged to avoid large shopping areas and transportation hubs on or about 1 November".

No further details are available at present.

The Nordic countries comprise Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland.

The Baltic states are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

 

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/3970575.stm

Published: 2004/11/01 06:12:01 GMT
 

[underwiredsupport]

The Baltic states are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Canceling those vacation plans to Latvia at noon!!  sarcasm/on

[Bahbah]

Ya'll take care, ya hear!!!

[Grampa Dave]

I wonder if one of the BBC gays who hate GW has inhaled too much.

There are no such current warnings at State for any of these countries.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_current.html

[TeleStraightShooter]

but, but, UBL gave his WORD on Friday that he would never attack Sweden!

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Warden Message

The U.S. Department of State wishes to alert U.S. citizens, either resident in or traveling through the Nordic/Baltic region, that it has received threat information and urges all U.S. citizens in the Nordic and Baltic countries to be vigilant as to their surroundings, especially in centers of ground-based mass transit, and to report any unusual or suspicious persons, incidents or circumstances to the nearest police authorities.

The U.S. Department of State will continue to monitor this situation and will revise this announcement as appropriate should other information become available.

The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki is located at Itainen Puistotie 14. American citizens may contact the Embassy at telephone number 09-616-25-701 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, or after hours at 09-616-25-0, or refer to the Embassy web site at www.usembassy.fi for more information.

For additional security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

| The Consular Section | American Citizen Services |

---

American Embassy, Consular Section
Address: Itäinen Puistotie 14 B, FIN-00140 Helsinki, Finland
Telephone: +358-9-616 250, Fax: +358-9-6162 5800
American Citizen Services: HelsinkiACS@state.gov
Immigrant Visas: HelsinkiIV@state.gov
Non-Immigrant Visas: HelsinkiNIV@state.gov

[Oldeconomybuyer]

See this link:
http://www.usembassy.fi/

[underwiredsupport]

Dunno...will try to get another source...checking!

[LurkedLongEnough]

I don't see any public warnings in the Dept of State website. More checking.

[AmericanChef]

B-b-b-ut bin Elvis just got done saying Sweden was safe! Ya mean he lied? Oh, he just meant he PERSONALLY wouldn't attack them. Hey - that means he has no control over anything, so therefore he's just a tick. Osama bin Tick. Let's taunt him with it!

LET'S SEND BIN TICK A VIDEO!

[underwiredsupport]

U.S. issues terror warning in northern Europe
Americans in Nordic, Baltic regions urged to be cautious

The Associated Press

Updated: 3:57 a.m. ET Nov. 1, 2004

 

HELSINKI, Finland - United States embassies in northern Europe said they have received “threat information” and urged Americans living in the Nordic and Baltic regions to be cautious.

In the rare warning for Americans in the region, the State Department urged all citizens “to be vigilant as to their surroundings, especially in centers of ground-based mass transit, and to report any unusual or suspicious persons, incidents or circumstances” to authorities, the embassy’s Web site in Helsinki said.

The warning, posted late Saturday, gave no other details.

“The information is as specific as we can make it at this time. If we had more specific information for American citizens, we would of course release it,” embassy spokeswoman, Victoria Middleton, said on Monday.

The State Department’s warning coincided with an announcement Saturday by Latvia’s security service that it had received intelligence reports from Norway, Estonia and the United States of a possible terrorist strike against the small Baltic nation.

The U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia, urged Americans “to avoid large shopping areas and transportation hubs on or about November 1, 2004.” Latvian officials said the country’s national security council would meet Monday to discuss the warning.

The Finnish Security Police said security will be increased at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki but that Nordic citizens had nothing to fear.

“The United States has a lower threshold when it comes to warning its citizens, but we have no concrete information that would warrant such a warning,” said Paavo Selin, head of Finland’s counterterrorism unit.

Norway closed its embassy in Riga because of the warning, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported.

The Baltic states include Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The Nordic states include Norway, Sweden and Finland.

© 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6379357/

[OldFriend]

All embassies and military bases are already on highest alert.

[Grampa Dave]

It appears that this warning was based on open presence of Russian Maffia and other thugs operating in this area. This is from the Finland Embassy extra warnings:

SAFETY AND SECURITY : Finland remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Finland's open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity. Elements of organized crime groups operating in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are present in Finland, but these do not represent a specific danger to U.S. citizen residents or tourists.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

CRIME: Although the crime rate in Finland is low compared to the U.S. and most European countries, it has increased in recent years. However, Finland remains a relatively safe environment. Americans visiting Finland are seldom victims of crime, but visitors should not be complacent regarding personal safety or the protection of valuables. The same precautions employed in the U.S. should be followed in Finland. Finnish police services are excellent; however, some police officers speak little English. They are also few in number relative to the size of the population. Due to the low crime rate, which in turn has led to an under funding of police operations, Finland has one of the lowest numbers of police of any European nation. Outside of key sites in major urban centers, they rarely project a visible presence; consequently, response times to crisis situations may be unpredictable. The telephone number for police and other emergency services throughout Finland is 112. All forms of public transportation are considered safe. Street crimes, such as muggings and pick-pocketing, remain relatively uncommon, but do occur.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES : In Finland, medical facilities and their staff are as a rule excellent and a re widely available for emergency services. English is commonly spoken by Finnish medical personnel. Helsinki is a frequent medical evacuation point for emergency cases from the countries of the former Soviet Union. The public hospital system and many private hospitals honor foreign credit cards.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Finland is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent
Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Excellent
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent

Finland has an extensive network of highways throughout the country, as well as excellent public transportation services. Travelers should be aware that drunk-driving laws are strict, and acceptable blood alcohol levels are much lower in Finland than in the U.S. Police strictly enforce all traffic laws and institute random roadside Breathalyzer tests. Those drivers who register a.05 or above alcohol content are subject to immediate arrest. Drivers should be aware that regulations and traffic signs differ significantly from those in the U.S. Visitors should be familiar with both prior to operating a vehicle in Finland. Driving in Finland during the winter months can be hazardous . Daylight hours are very short and one should be comfortable with driving in darkness. Icy road conditions are common. If driving in Finland, the vehicle must be winterized with studded snow tires, and engine heaters are strongly recommended. When driving at night, drivers must be alert to moose wandering onto major roadways. There have been incidents of moose being struck by vehicles, causing severe damage to the vehicle and injury, sometimes fatal, to the occupants.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_roadsafety.html . For specific information concerning Finnish driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Finland National Tourist Organization offices in New York via the Internet at http://www.mek.fi. The e-mail address is med@mek.fi. For specific real-time updates on road conditions in Finland, see the Finnish Road Administration's travel and traffic information web page at http://www.finnra.fi/alk/english/.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Finland's Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Finland's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at (618) 229-4801.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Finnish customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Finland of certain items such as alcohol, firearms, some medications, plant or animal matter, or live animals and plants. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Finland in Washington or one of Finland's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. In addition, the Finnish Customs office has a website, http://www.tulli.fi/english/index.html, where useful information is available. In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm.

Finland's customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call 212-354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit www.uscib.org for details.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Finland's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Finland are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18. The law defines a commercial sex act as any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by a person under the age of 18.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Commercial and financial transactions in Finland are increasingly automated and on-line. Cash is almost always acceptable (the currency is the euro) but most major credit cards are widely recognized. ATM machines are very common and many U.S.-issued bankcards are compatible with them. However, for residents, bill-paying outside of retail establishments (i.e., utilities and other recurring expenses) is done more and more frequently via Internet; bank checks are rarely used. Checks drawn on a U.S. bank are of little use in Finland.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/family/index.html or telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 . This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

REGISTRATION AND EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Finland are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Finland. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Itainen Puistotie 14B. The telephone number for the American Citizen Services unit is 358-9-616-25-701, 0830 to 1700 Monday to Friday (after hours, 358-9-616-25-0); the fax number is 358-9-616-25-800; e-mail: HelsinkiACS@state.gov. The address of the Embassy's Internet home page is http://www.usembassy.fi.

* * *

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated February 9, 2004 to add or update sections on Safety and Security, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Customs Regulations, Criminal Penalties, Children's Issues, and Registration/Embassy Location.






Other Government Websites
First Gov Service Locator
U.S. Department of Justice
The White House
more >






This site is managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

[Dog]

Take care buddy..

[Dog]

Be careful knighthawk..

[Mears]

Mt first thought was why am I hearing about this from the BBC,via FR? Does the MSM have this info?

[LurkedLongEnough]

Thanks for the article. Now it is appearing on Google news search. Here's another only slightly different story by Reuters.

U.S. Issues Nordic, Baltic Security Alert

Monday, November 01, 2004 11:48 a.m. ET
By Laura Vinha

HELSINKI (Reuters) - The United States has warned its citizens in the Nordic and Baltic states to be extra vigilant after receiving "threat information" on the eve of the U.S. presidential election.

Norway shut its embassy in the Latvian capital Riga just two days after Latvian police increased security at key embassies and installations due to a threat from "Muslim extremists," without specifically mentioning al Qaeda. Oslo said the decision was not linked to the U.S. warning.

In Latvia, the U.S. embassy warned Americans to avoid large shopping areas and transport hubs on or around Nov. 1, according to a statement on its Web site. The U.S. embassy sent out a similar warning to its citizens in Baltic neighbor Estonia.

"U.S. citizens in the Nordic and Baltic countries (should) be vigilant as to their surroundings, especially in centers of ground-based mass transit," the State Department said in a statement on the U.S. embassy Web site in Helsinki.

It did not give details or say if the warning, rare in the Nordic region, was linked to Tuesday's election.

In Washington a U.S. official played down the potential threat.

"It is a non-specific threat that is unsubstantiated," said the official, who noted the warning was issued to U.S. citizens locally and did not rise to the level of a more formal State Department "travel warning" or "public announcement."

U.S. officials and diplomats elsewhere in Europe said the security situation in their countries was normal and that the alert was specific to the Nordic and Baltic countries.

CONCRETE INFORMATION

Nordic prime ministers said they took the concerns seriously, although Denmark, Sweden and Finland said they saw no particular threat at the moment.

All three Baltic states and Denmark have troops in Iraq. Norway has troops in Afghanistan.

NATO member Norway, which opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, said it had concrete information about a threat, but gave no other details. It raised its alert level last month to moderate from low after it was mentioned on an audiotape as a possible al Qaeda target.

"The embassy was closed because of concrete information from security forces we are cooperating with," Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik told a news conference.

Latvia said at the weekend that it had been warned by neighboring countries of a possible threat of attacks.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there was no concrete threat to U.S. interests while Sweden's Goran Persson said his country would not raise its security standing.

"One is always worried when one gets this type of information, particularly when it comes from such a large security service. But I don't think there is any reason to dramatize things unnecessarily," he added.

The Nordics have so far felt free of any threat from militants linked to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

In a videotape, parts of which were aired on Saturday, bin Laden tried to explain to the American people why his group did not "attack Sweden for example." (Additional reporting by Alister Doyle and Inger Sethov in Oslo, Peter Starck and Simon Johnson in Stockholm and Kim McLaughlin in Copenhagen)

[Mixer]

I made need to put on my tinfoil hat for what I am about to say but maybe this was the clue in his video message that would wake a sleeper cell in the Blatic States.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Looks like I moved just in time.

"112", indeed. (That's the Euro equivalent of 911)

I made need to put on my tinfoil hat for what I am about to say but maybe this was the clue in his video message that would wake a sleeper cell in the Blatic States.

I was wondering why he mentioned Sweden and also used the name Manhattan, instead of saying 911.

Niels Bohr was the "sage" of the Manhattan project. Not wanting to be "employed" by Germany, he beat feet to the US via Sweden and London.

Isn't Malmo Sweden a jihadist hotbed? With the handy bridge over to Copenhagen, it makes commuting a breeze.

Iceland is supposedly tight as a drum, but there are peacenik Pali sympathizers who operate over there... buddies of like-minded ghouls in Oslo.

[lodi90]

This is not as far fetched as it seems. Some of these are NATO countries and Lithuania has troops in Iraq. Lithuania has students from all over the middle east including Iraq and of course Chechen "refugees" milling about.