Second cyanide letter arrives at Herald

By PATRICK GOWER

Another cyanide threat letter has been sent to the New Zealand Herald, this time setting a deadline for terrorist action.

The letter arrived yesterday and was taken away immediately by police, who are already investigating four similar letters sent to the newspaper, the American embassy and the British and Australian High Commissions.

Police were last night assessing whether the latest letter was a genuine threat or a hoax, and would not say if they believed it was from the same person.

The letter makes further references to a cyanide attack, but the Herald has agreed not to release the exact details because police believe this could compromise their investigation.

The letter threatened action against a particular target, by a particular date. It ended with Islamic phrases similar to those in earlier letters, but did not contain white powder as they did.

The powder in the original letter to the British High Commission tested positive for cyanide, and police issued a public warning.

The latest letter was sent on March 2, three days after the contents of those letters were made public.

It was addressed to the Herald editor, rather than the "ambassadors". It was stamped at a Wellington mail centre rather than the South Auckland mail centre, and the address was typed directly on the envelope instead of being stuck on.

Auckland police district commander Superintendent Howard Broad said police needed time before they could give the public advice about the letter.

"[Our] public advice given in response to other threatening letters for people to remain vigilant to circumstances that are suspicious remains current."

The earlier letters are believed to be linked to a letter containing cyanide sent to the American Embassy last year.

That letter threatened terrorist action when Tiger Woods was playing in the New Zealand Golf Open.

Police released details only after CNN television received a copy from the American Embassy.