US Govt to Consult Government On Future Terror Alerts

The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
December 9, 2003
Posted to the web December 9, 2003
Nairobi
Protests by Kenya have drawn a promise from the United States to contact the
government before issuing any bomb alerts or negative travel advisories.
Kenya's concerns over recent security warnings were discussed yesterday by
Foreign minister Kalonzo Musyoka and US ambassador William Bellamy, following
an incident last week which sent panic through major city hotels and a bank
building.
The two agreed that although the terrorist threat against Kenya was real, hasty
public security warnings by the US had disrupted the country's economy and
could scare away investors.
At a warm and friendly meeting held in Nairobi, the two officials underscored
the need for "sharing and holding further consultation" on terrorism before the
US issues any alert.
The talks came a week after a US official visited the Hilton hotel to warn of a
likely attack by Al Qaeda terrorist.
Kenyan security chiefs were reported to have been furious after learning that
the official, who enjoys diplomatic status, went to the five-star city hotel on
Monday, warning security staff and even guests that there could be a possible
terror attack "within the next several days".
He was reported to have visited The Hilton, The Stanley, the Grand Regency and
the Hotel Inter Continental, but the embassy says he only went to one hotel.
The official showed security men reports which he claimed contained
intelligence information on the planned attacks.
He also reportedly told hotel security officers that terrorists were planning
to blow it up using bread trucks packed with explosives.
Yesterday Mr Musyoka pointed out that the officials' actions had spread fear
and panic among Kenyans and thanked Mr Bellamy for his consultation pledge.
He promised that Kenya would soon introduce anti-terrorism law, similar to
those enacted in Tanzania and Uganda.
Mr Bellamy, recounting the events of last Monday, said the embassy had received
an anonymous e-mail on November 29 from Mombasa detailing the planned hotel
bomb attacks .
Security agencies were immediately alerted. Mr Bellamy praised them for their
swift response.
The terror alert, Mr Bellamy said, was issued from Washington, but as a show of
US confidence in Kenyan security, a delegation of 200 led by Health Secretary
Tommy Thomson went ahead with their scheduled local visit. The ambassador
clarified that the US security official only visited the Hilton Hotel, where
the American delegation was staying.
He stressed that Kenya faced a serious threat from Al Qaeda and the passing of
terrorism laws was in keeping with United Nations and African Union
requirements.
Both officials expressed the hope that a peace deal would come out of the
Sudanese talks being held in Naivasha under Kenyan mediation.
Following last Monday's warnings, a bank building was evacuated due to a bomb
threat.
United Nations security officials also warned employees from visiting the hotel
and the bank building on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Barclays Plaza was evacuated at midday Wednesday after the KLM airline
office received a phone call saying there was a bomb in the building. Until
this year, the building housed the U.S. Embassy public affairs office.
Al-Qaeda has twice struck Kenya. Police reportedly uncovered a plot to destroy
the new U.S. Embassy this past June.

   

  =============================================================================
  Copyright © 2003 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================