Replies

Belgian media reported the envelopes included a card signed in English by the "International Islamic Society,"

(Also "cute", wouldn't you say?)

Letters laced with toxic powder
By Constant Brand in Belgium
June 5, 2003

BELGIAN authorities were today investigating 10 letters laced with toxic powders that were addressed to Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the American, Saudi and British embassies and other offices.

The letters, discovered over the past two days, apparently were all sent by the same person or group, said Jaak Raes, an Interior Ministry official.

Belgian media reported the envelopes included a card signed in English by the "International Islamic Society," and Raes said a "full investigation" was underway.

Two postal workers were hospitalised with a skin irritation after coming in contact with the brown powder, but were expected to be released later today, officials said.

Government toxicologists said the powder contained hydrazine, used as a garden pesticide, and phenarsazine, an arsenic derivative used in rat poison. The chemicals found can irritate the skin, eyes and nasal passages.

Belgian Authorities Investigate Envelopes with Toxic Powder
VOA News
04 Jun 2003, 16:46 UTC

Authorities in Belgium are investigating 10 letters with a toxic powder found in envelopes addressed to the prime minister's office, the U.S. Embassy and other recipients.

Officials say tests on some of the letters found at least two substances. One is hydrazine, which is used in rocket fuel, and the other is a derivative of arsenic commonly used as rat poison. Officials said the chemicals can irritate the skin, eyes and nasal passages.

The letters were found at mail depots in a number of cities including Ghent and Brussels. Some of the letters contained messages full of with expletives that were signed in English with the words "Islamic Community."

Recipients of the dangerous mail included the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Britain.

Belgian investigators are trying to fully identify the powder, where it came from and who was responsible for trying to mail it.

The incident was reminiscent of the anthrax scare that gripped the United States two years ago. Five people died and 11 others became ill after coming in contact with anthrax spores sent through the mail.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

Toxic Powder Mailed to Embassies in Belgium

Wednesday, June 04 2003 @ 04:24 PM GMT

"That letter also contained a slip of paper which read simply 'bastard'. One letter was addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Brussels .."

BRUSSELS - Ten envelopes containing toxic powder were mailed to several embassies and public buildings in Belgium, local radio RVI reported today.

The letters arrived on Tuesday and Wednesday and contained the chemicals Hydrazine and Phenarsazine.

The last of the letters arrived at the embassies of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom in Brussels. The Saudi embassy was evacuated and some employees were taken to hospital.

That letter also contained a slip of paper which read simply "bastard". One letter was addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Brussels. Another was addressed to the cabinet of Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.

Hydrazine and Phenarsazine are irritating and potentially toxic chemicals. Hydrazine fluid can be used as fuel for rockets and is very explosive. It is readily available in powder form as a pesticide, noted the radio.

The federal prosecutor's office in Belgium and the anti-terror squad are investigating.

I believe there are more - I'll look further.