DATE=2/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245327
TITLE=U-S / ANTHRAX (L)
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A LETTER CLAIMING TO CONTAIN THE DEADLY ANTHRAX VIRUS HAS
TRIGGERED A SECURITY ALERT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT. BUT AS
V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THE LETTER TURNED OUT TO BE A HOAX
(TRICK OR FALSE).
TEXT: OFFICIALS SAY THE LETTER ARRIVED ON THE SAME FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING WHERE SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS HER
OFFICE.
WHEN THE ENVELOPE WAS OPENED, SEVERAL SMALL PELLETS FELL TO THE
GROUND. A NOTE IN THE ENVELOPE SAID THE PERSON WHO OPENED THE
LETTER WAS BEING EXPOSED TO ANTHRAX -- A DEADLY AND HIGHLY
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS FROM THE F-B-I (FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION) AND OTHER AGENCIES WERE QUICKLY DISPATCHED TO THE
OFFICE AND PERFORMED FIELD TESTS ON THE PELLETS. IT WAS
DETERMINED THEY WERE NOT DANGEROUS.
STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THERE WAS NOTHING
ABOUT THE LETTER TO AROUSE SUSPICIONS UNTIL IT HAD BEEN OPENED.
// RUBIN ACT //
IT WAS A VERY NORMAL SIZE LETTER WITH A PIECE OF PAPER
AND SOME PELLETS IN IT.
// END ACT //
OFFICIALS SAY IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL IF THE HOAX WILL TRIGGER
TIGHTER SECURITY PROCEDURES FOR SCREENING THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S
INCOMING MAIL. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JO
09-Feb-99 4:10 PM EST (2110 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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