- News>
- World
Americans in Asia on alert for Iraq war backlash
Singapore, Feb 23: With a new war in Iraq looming on the horizon, US embassies, military bases, schools and companies in the Asia-Pacific region are bracing for a potentially violent anti-American backlash.
Singapore, Feb 23: With a new war in Iraq looming on the horizon, US embassies, military bases, schools and companies in the Asia-Pacific region are bracing for a potentially violent anti-American backlash.
Security for hundreds of thousands of US civilians, diplomats and servicemen in the region has been stepped up since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US and last October's Bali bombings, but Washington is taking no chances. The State Department issued a "worldwide caution" on February 6 reminding US citizens of a "heightened risk" of terrorist attacks including suicide operations, assassinations or kidnappings. It cited a "growing threat" that non-conventional weapons including chemical or biological agents might be used.
With security now hardened at us facilities, Americans were warned that attacks may be aimed at "softer" targets such as residential areas, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events and beaches. They have been advised to steer clear of protests, which have taken on a strident anti-American character amid popular opposition to President George W Bush's threat to attack Iraq to eliminate Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Various security measures have been drawn up by US facilities in the region against terrorist threats and other emergencies, with host governments providing additional protection: In Singapore, Gurkha sentries help guard the fortified US embassy, the Singapore American school, which has 3,000 students, and the American club.
Bureau Report
Security for hundreds of thousands of US civilians, diplomats and servicemen in the region has been stepped up since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US and last October's Bali bombings, but Washington is taking no chances. The State Department issued a "worldwide caution" on February 6 reminding US citizens of a "heightened risk" of terrorist attacks including suicide operations, assassinations or kidnappings. It cited a "growing threat" that non-conventional weapons including chemical or biological agents might be used.
With security now hardened at us facilities, Americans were warned that attacks may be aimed at "softer" targets such as residential areas, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events and beaches. They have been advised to steer clear of protests, which have taken on a strident anti-American character amid popular opposition to President George W Bush's threat to attack Iraq to eliminate Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Various security measures have been drawn up by US facilities in the region against terrorist threats and other emergencies, with host governments providing additional protection: In Singapore, Gurkha sentries help guard the fortified US embassy, the Singapore American school, which has 3,000 students, and the American club.
Bureau Report