DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243137
TITLE=IRAQ / KENYA SECURITY (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ HAVE CLOSED THE U-S EMBASSY
IN KENYA. AS V-O-A'S SCOTT STEARNS REPORTS, SECURITY IS STILL
TIGHT FOLLOWING THE AUGUST BOMBING OF THE NAIROBI EMBASSY.
TEXT: ALL U-S GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN KENYA ARE CLOSED, WITH LOCAL
STAFF TOLD NOT TO COME BACK TO WORK UNTIL MONDAY.
CITING A STATE DEPARTMENT SECURITY WARNING LAST MONTH, OFFICIALS
HERE HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO CLOSE THE EMBASSY FRIDAY AND NEXT
THURSDAY -- THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN
AND THE THURSDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
ONCE IRAQI AIR STRIKES!BEGAN, U-S OFFICES IN KENYA WERE SHUT
TODAY AS WELL. SECURITY MEASURES AFFECT STATE DEPARTMENT
OPERATIONS NOW HOUSED WITH THE U-S DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. THE
DOWNTOWN OFFICES OF THE INFORMATION SERVICE AND THE NEWLY-OPENED
SUBURBAN HOME OF THE CONSULAR SERVICE WERE ALSO CLOSED.
SINCE THE TERRORIST ATTACK FOUR MONTHS AGO, THERE HAS BEEN A
HIGHER U-S SECURITY PRESENCE HERE WITH MORE MARINES AND CLOSER
INSPECTION OF VEHICLES AND PACKAGES.
JUST THIS WEEK, AMERICANS IN KENYA WERE WARNED AGAINST TRAVELING
TO THE ISLAND OF LAMU AND ALONG THE COAST TO SOMALIA, WHERE AN
EMBASSY STATEMENT SAYS THEY HAVE BECOME TARGETS OF ARMED ROBBERY.
THE KENYAN COAST IS HOME TO SEVERAL SUSPECTS IN THE AUGUST 7TH
BOMBING.
A U-S FEDERAL COURT HAS INDICTED SAUDI MILLIONAIRE OSAMA BIN
LADEN FOR ORGANIZING THE SIMULTANEOUS TRUCK BOMBINGS OF U-S
EMBASSIES IN KENYA AND TANZANIA. THE ATTACKS KILLED 224 PEOPLE,
INCLUDING 12 AMERICANS. THOUSANDS MORE WERE INJURED, MANY
BLINDED BY FLYING GLASS.
AMBASSADOR PRUDENCE BUSHNELL SAYS THE CHARRED EMBASSY ON HAILE
SELASSIE AVENUE WILL LIKELY BE DESTROYED. OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED
TO LEASE AN OFFICE BUILDING (ALONG THE MOMBASA ROAD) UNTIL A NEW
EMBASSY CAN BE BUILT. (SIGNED)
NEB/SKS/WTW
17-Dec-98 3:50 AM EST (0850 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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