JORDAN: SECURITY TIGHTENED AT US EMBASSY

Описание: (22 Jun 2000) Natural Sound

The U-S Embassy in Jordan announced Thursday that it may be a target of a terrorist attack.

Embassy officials have warned American citizens in the Arab kingdom to be vigilant and security around the building has been tightened.

Security around the U-S Embassy was being strengthened Thursday after embassy officials warned that the building may be the target for a terrorist attack.

Earth moving equipment was brought in to place concrete barriers around the embassy and dozens of sand bags were placed around the embassy walls.

A message on the embassy's web site said the U-S government "has information concerning terrorist targeting" of the Amman embassy.

It said, "While the U-S has full confidence in the Government of Jordan's demonstrated ability and willingness to address security threats, the full dimensions of the threat are
not known."

A senior Jordanian security official told The Associated Press that the embassy notified the
Jordanian government of its plans to issue the warning last week.

The unidentified official said he had no indication that the threat was reliable.

But the embassy and the State Department in Washington believe that the warning may dissuade plotters from any attack.

U-S Embassy officials were not immediately available for comment but, in Washington, State Department spokesman Philip T. Reeker said the department was "taking the threat very seriously" although no staff had been sent home.

United States officials are believed to be working closely with Jordanian authorities.

Signs of increased security at the embassy included a police vehicle mounted with
a machine gun was parked by the Embassy's front gate.

The massive white-stone compound is popularly known as the fortress.

The embassy warning said it could not rule out other possible targets in the country.

It urged Americans travelling or residing in Jordan to "exercise prudence and ... review their security practices, and to remain alert to changing situations."

In December, the Jordanian government said 28 Arabs suspected of links with Saudi militant Osama bin Laden had planned to carry out terrorist attacks against American and Israeli tourists during New Year's celebrations in Jordan.

Sixteen have been arrested and are on trial in a military court.

They have pleaded innocent and denied links to bin Laden.

The rest are being tried in absentia.

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