Homeland Security

DATE=2/17/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / TERRORISM (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-313167

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Britain says a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia could be imminent, and it has urged British citizens not to go there unless it is absolutely necessary. V-O-A's Michael Drudge has details from London.

TEXT: The British Foreign Office says it believes terrorists are in the final stages of preparing an attack in Saudi Arabia. It says residential compounds could be threatened, as well as hotels, shopping centers and restaurants.

The warning was issued after British Airways had canceled its Monday flight from London to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, because of security concerns. The Saudi interior ministry warned last Friday that a car bomb attack in Riyadh could be imminent.

The Foreign Office says Britons should cancel all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia, where terrorist bombings last year killed about 50 people, including some British citizens.

Those attacks were blamed on the al-Qaida terrorist network of Osama bin Laden, who was born in Saudi Arabia.

NEB/MWD/AWP