KARACHI: The United States closed its consulate here on Tuesday after receiving a security threat, an official said.
Americans have been told to avoid the area around the consulate and the nearby Marriott hotel, said Greggory Crouch, press attache at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
“The consulate is closed today,” Crouch told AFP. “We have received credible information of a threat and that has heightened our security concern,” he added.
The heavily-guarded consulate was closed on the orders of Consul General Douglas Rohn, said Crouch. “It is my understanding that the staff were sent home,” he added. However, Crouch said it was expected the consulate would resume normal operations today (Wednesday). The US Embassy in Islamabad and the consulates in Lahore and Peshawar remained open, while the Karachi consulate had “closed its public operations indefinitely due to security concerns”, the consulate’s website said.
Two senior police officials told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that an officer posted outside the diplomatic mission received a threat on his cell phone on Monday night. agencies
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-4-2005_pg1_2
Algerian President Abdulaziz Buteflika has suggested the establishment of a structure similar to the British Commonwealth of Nations to include countries that once formed the Ottoman Empire.
Buteflika hosting Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Algeria sent an important message that they yearn for the peaceful and tranquil period of 1518-1830 during which time the Ottomans ruled the Middle East. Buteflika suggested constituting a structure consisting of the countries that once formed the Ottoman Empire and that the structure could be similar to the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Algerian President said, "Gaps remained after the Ottomans that could not be filled. We need the strong and tolerant Ottoman order now more than at any other time. Can't we recreate the Ottoman order again?" "Britain established The Commonwealth with its former colonies and the order continues. The Ottomans did not colonize us; why shouldn't we maintain the Ottoman order?" continued Buteflika. The Algerian leader emphasized that they took lessons from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, in their independence from the French.
He informed that Algeria earmarked $55 billion for reconstruction of the country over the next five years and that they will give priority to Turkish companies.
Buteflika met with Gul for two hours and later hosted a dinner for the Turkish delegation. Gul expressed his impressions as: "They shown us an incredibly exciting time. I wish, every one could hear the things we have spoken about" at the dinner in which Algerian President clearly revealed his thoughts on Turkey and the Ottoman Empire.
According to information given, Buteflika requested that Turkey not view Algeria as just another Arab country and suggested the establishment of the Ottoman Commonwealth. He went on to say that Turkey had saved Algeria from Spain and that the Algerians had not wanted Turks to leave, but at the time, Turks had left the country of their own free will. Buteflika showed that the current turmoil in the Middle East as proof that gaps have remained after the Ottoman Empire that has still not been filled. He continued that the key for a solution in the Middle East is Turkey and that if Turkey wishes law and order could return to this region.
He also expressed content for the developments in Turkish-Syrian relations.
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20050413&hn=18370