Cablegate: Colombo: Powder Not Dangerous, Embassy Resumes Normal

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0631 1821121
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301121Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8349

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000631

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR DS/IP/SCA, DS/IP/WMD, DS/CC, M/MED, SA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER AMED CE
SUBJECT: Colombo: Powder not Dangerous, Embassy Resumes Normal
Operations

REF: COLOMBO 619

1. (SBU) On June 30, 2008, the Medical Research Institute
Department of Bacteriology returned a negative report for anthrax
for the sample from the suspicious powder incident of June 25 (see
reftel for details).

2. (U) The Embassy has re-opened the Compound Access Control (CAC)
inspection are for normal operations. Post also issued the
folowing warden message/public statement: "The U.S.Embassy in
Colombo, which has been closed to the ublic since June 25 after a
suspicious powder wa found, will reopen for normal operations
Tuesda, July 1, after an investigation determined that te powder
did not pose a danger. Visa and other ppointments postponed by the
closure are being recheduled on an individual basis."

3. (SBU) RSOwill continue to coordinate the investigation intothe
incident with the Sri Lankan Police Service nd will report septel.
Point of contact for thismessage is Acting DCM/Management Officer
Maria E.Brewer (brewerme@state.gov).

MOORE

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