Citing terror threat, U.S. boosts security in Germany

[American Patriot]

Citing terror threat, U.S. boosts security in Germany
Reuters ^ | Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:56 AM EDT146 | Louis Charbonneau

BERLIN (Reuters) - The U.S. embassy in Germany said on Friday it was boosting security at its facilities in response to what it described as an increased threat of terrorism there.

Neither U.S. nor German officials would provide specific details, but one diplomat said the steps were taken to guard against a particular threat and a newspaper reported that Iraqi-linked militants were scouting U.S. facilities in Germany.

"U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities in Germany are increasing their security posture," the embassy said in a statement sent by email.

"We are taking these steps in response to a heightened threat situation. The U.S. embassy encourages Americans in Germany to increase their vigilance and take appropriate steps to bolster their own personal security."

An official at the embassy said the announcement was related to an increased threat of terrorism, citing recent warnings by Germany's BKA federal police.

Germany's interior ministry said the tightening of security came amidst signs that U.S. facilities were at higher risk.

"German security officials share these concerns and have been working closely with the U.S. side to ensure appropriate measures are taken," it said in a statement.

Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, has not recently suffered a major attack like Spain and Britain, but government and intelligence officials have urged vigilance in recent months.

DANGER LEVEL HIGH

This week a German newspaper quoted Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble as saying the threat of attacks by Islamist militants had increased in past months and become more specific.

"The danger level is high," Schaeuble said.

Continued ...

[American Patriot]

From the AP:

U.S.: "Heightened Threat" in Germany

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BERLIN (AP) - U.S. diplomatic facilities have increased their security due to a "heightened threat," the U.S. Embassy in Berlin said Friday.

Robert Wood, a U.S. embassy spokesman, noted that German authorities had said Germany faces an increased threat of terrorism because its military takes part in missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities in Germany are increasing their security posture," the embassy said in a statement. "We are taking these steps in response to a heightened threat situation."

The embassy refused to say whether there were specific threats.

Earlier this month, the State Department issued a "Worldwide Caution" saying there had been no change from previous warnings about the possibility of al-Qaida attacks in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Middle East.

"These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings," the statement said.

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[American Patriot]

Warden Message - April 20, 2007

U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities in Germany are increasing their security posture. We are taking these steps in response to a heightened threat situation. The U.S. Embassy encourages Americans in Germany to increase their vigilance and take appropriate steps to bolster their own personal security.

The Department of State's April 10, 2007, "Worldwide Caution" Public Announcement, which can be found on the Internet at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/c...a/pa_1161.html, provides additional information on potential threats to U.S. citizens overseas, along with advice on how to reduce your vulnerability to such threats. Additional general information on residing and traveling abroad, including the latest Consular Information Sheet for Germany, may be found on-line at http://travel.state.gov.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and Consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich and Leipzig may be found on the Internet at: http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany..._services.html.