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America's Cup terror threat
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CNN) -- A national security alert was sparked in New Zealand after a terror threat was made to the America's cup sailing competition. Letters were sent to the U.S. embassy, and the British and Australian high commissions, threatening a terror attack on the America's Cup, the world's premier yacht race, if Iraq is attacked. New Zealand police say the letters, which had the same message, contained powdery substance, one with cyanide. The three letters were mailed from within New Zealand and were intercepted at the South Auckland Mail Center after one of them leaked white powder. "September 11 waits at the Americas Cup for instruction if Iraq is attacked by the host of Satan, all interests and their supporters will be attacked by September 11," the letters said. A fourth letter with the same message was received by The New Zealand Herald newspaper, the country's largest daily based in Auckland. It also had an equal amount of white powder, which was determined to be harmless. Terror link
New Zealand police said it was possible the author of the letters was the same person who sent a threatening letter, containing cyanide, to the U.S. embassy, ahead of the New Zealand Golf Open in January 2002. Tiger Woods was attending that competition. The America's Cup, being staged in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland, is scheduled to end March 1. Police have encouraged participants and spectators to continue with their normal business, but to be observant about "anything which might seem out of the ordinary and worthy of reporting to the police." The public was also encouraged to be vigilant, particularly when taking public transport and buying food. Security around the America's Cup was recently reviewed and security was increased, the U.S. Embassy said. Security arrangements for British, Australian and U.S. diplomatic representatives in the country are being reassessed to take into consideration the latest threats, the U.S. Embassy said. Cyanide is widely used in New Zealand to control animal pests.
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