U.S. investigators ordered out of Yemen
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, June 5, 2001
WASHINGTON Ñ The United States, concluding that its citizens and
employees are in danger of terrorist attack, has closed its embassy in
Yemen.
The State Department ordered the embassy closed in the Yemeni capital of
Sanaa for an indefinite period. The announcement on Saturday said government
employees in Yemen, including some diplomats, will leave the country.
Officials said the threat of terrorist attack from Saudi billionaire
fugitive Osama Bin Laden has increased over the last few weeks. They also
expressed dismay over the failure by Yemeni
authorities to implement sufficient security procedures.
"The department currently believes there is an increased terrorist
threat to U.S. citizens and interests in Yemen," the statement said. "As a
result, the department has authorized the departure of embassy personnel in
non-emergency positions and family members of embassy personnel. In
addition, the U.S. embassy in Yemen will suspend service to the public."
Last week, U.S. investigators into the bombing of the USS Cole in Aden
were ordered back to Sanaa amid security threats.
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