Homeland Security

DATE= 12/06/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= SAUDI / ATTACK UPDATE (L-O-)

NUMBER=2-320957

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: UPDATES CASUALTY FIGURES IN INTRO; MAKE FURTHER UPDATES AS NEEDED///

HEADLINE: Gunmen Attack U.S. Consulate in Jeddah

INTRO: Gunmen blasted their way into the U.S. consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, killing at least five non-American employees. Four members of the Saudi national guard who responded to the attack were also killed, as were three of the militants. VOA's Greg LaMotte has been monitoring the situation from Baghdad and has this report.

TEXT: According to a senior Saudi official in the capital Riyadh, no Americans were taken hostage in the attack against the U.S. consulate in Jeddah. But the official said third-country nationals were briefly taken hostage before the consulate was secured.

The official said four members of the Saudi security forces were killed, and several others were wounded during a gun battle that erupted after five attackers made their way inside the consulate compound.

The attackers struck the consulate with explosive devices at two compound gates. Shortly afterward, the attackers opened fire with automatic weapons.

A senior Saudi government official said it appeared the attackers used hand grenades in, what he called, a diversionary tactic, while others entered the compound firing their weapons.

The Saudi Interior Ministry says three of the attackers were killed, two others were wounded and taken into custody. Several American personnel and Saudi civilians were injured or wounded during the attack.

There was no speculation on the motive of the attackers or their exact identities.

Saudi officials declined to say publicly whether the attackers were from the al-Qaida terrorist organization. But one senior Saudi official said the style of the attack did not seem to resemble past attacks for which al-Qaida claimed responsibility.

Interior Ministry officials said some of gunmen were wanted by Saudi security forces. Senior officials described the attackers as Islamic militants.

The siege at the consulate lasted about three hours before security forces brought the situation under control.

A senior Saudi official confirmed reports that some negotiations with the gunmen had begun, but that security forces decided to storm the attackers after threats were made. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/FC/RAE