Suspicious packages turn up at four embassies, parliament

[cal04]

CANBERRA: Suspicious packages turned up today at four foreign missions in Canberra and a fifth at parliament house, authorities and sources said.The packages were received by the British High Commission and the United States, Japanese and South Korean embassies today.

"We can confirm the commission received a suspicious package earlier this morning," a British High Commission spokesman said."We are following AFP (Australian Federal Police) guidelines at present." Police will not confirm which other missions are affected, but a source said the Japanese, South Korean and American embassies were the locations of the other threats. A police spokesman said hazardous materials crews were at the missions.

"The packages have been secured following established protocols for these types of incidents," the spokesman said.Another package of white powder has been detected in the loading dock at parliament, officials said.The Department of Parliamentary Services said the incident has been contained in the dock area and ACT emergency services were attending.

"The loading dock has been closed, and as a result there will be delays in the delivery of mail within the building today," the department's Hilary Penfold said in a statement. "However, there is no danger to people in the building."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15558569%255E12377,00.html

[Supersedeas]

1. looks smells and walks like a Terra distraction--bad press--raise the

security level