We have 25kg of cyanide says terror group

By PATRICK GOWER and NATASHA HARRIS

A group calling itself September 11 and claiming to possess 25kg of "weapon grade cyanide" is behind the terrorism threat to the America's Cup.

The threat is outlined in the letter sent to the United States Embassy and the British and Australian High Commissions. Police disclosed the contents of the letter last night, saying they had an "open mind" as to the intent of the author.

The police counter-terrorism chief, Assistant Commissioner Jon White, said: "We have no knowledge of any such group in New Zealand."

He said a group called September 11 had been identified in Australia but there was no indication it had any connection with New Zealand.

A poisons expert said while it was possible that someone could collect 25kg of cyanide it could not be made into a weapon such as a bomb.

The typewritten letter warns that "America Australia and British will suffer because of foreign policies" and states "September 11 awaits at the Americas Cup for instruction if Iraq is attacked."

Mr White said police were working closely with the diplomatic missions threatened in the letters, especially in light of the threats made to diplomats and their families.

The police have set up a hotline for people to contact them with any information about the letter. The number is 0800THREAT or 0800847328.

Disclosure of the letter comes as a team of counter-terrorism detectives based in Auckland heads the hunt for those behind the threat.

The team is part of the national security response to the cyanide terrorism threat and has joined detectives responding to the discovery of powdered substances in letters at the South Auckland mail centre.

Cyanide found in one of the letters prompted a national security alert on Wednesday when police urged the public to be vigilant when travelling and eating packaged food.

Police confirmed last night that the letter containing cyanide was addressed to the British Ambassador.

At Viaduct Harbour yesterday, open sugar bowls, salt and pepper shakers and self-service water jugs were being removed from restaurants.It was one of several safety measures recommended by Auckland District Health Board medical officers to about 150 food premises around the cup venue.

Police documents experts in Wellington will today examine the letters.

The Herald was sent a copy of the letter, with the address typed, photocopied, cut into a square and glued on to the envelope.

Chief examiner Inspector Allan Herkt said his team would be trying to identify the printing processused. They would also look for writing imprints left by other documents that had been written on while placed on top of the suspect envelope or letter.

The counter-terrorism detectives involved with the letter investigation have been operating for several months as part of Operation Level, the codename for the police response to terrorist threats after the September 11 attacks in the US.

Assistant Commissioner White said the investigation into the letters was just one part of the operation.

Officers dedicated to America's Cup security and extra officers stationed at airports also come under the Operation Level umbrella.

It also oversaw the security for the Tiger Woods visit to the New Zealand Open last year and the investigation into the cyanide letter sent to the American Embassy threatening terrorist action against the tournament.

The letter released last night claims that September 11 succeeded in closing the Israeli Embassy with "our operations at Tiger Woods event".

The embassy did shut last year but the Israeli Government said it was a cost-cutting measure.

Dr John Fountain, toxicologist at the National Poisons Centre, said a cyanide bomb would not cause mass casualties.

"If you blow cyanide up it burns up, it's a good way to destroy it."

At the Viaduct, Milano bar manager Fraser MacKenzie said the food safety precautions would bolster security procedures put in place after discussions with police last year.

Rod McKenzie-Fourie at Cafe Belgique said security has been a priority since the cup regatta began.

"We've all been on full alert for a while and feel pretty safe down here - the police are always around when the crowds arrive."

He said there was little threat of anything dangerous being left in cars outside the bar because tow-truck drivers were so zealous.

- Additional reporting: Alan Perrott and Gregg Wycherley