The Embassy received a suspicious envelope containing white powder, December 17, 2008

Madrid, December 17, 2008

The U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra , Eduardo Aguirre, thanks the Spanish security forces for their response to a security incident that occurred outside the Embassy on December 17. Their quick response and professionalism was much appreciated.

The Embassy confirms that at 12:30 on December 17 it received a suspicious envelope containing a white powder. The envelope’s characteristics matched those of other envelopes received in several U.S. embassies in Europe.

The envelope was immediately isolated and Embassy officials informed the Spanish authorities, who, in keeping with normal procedures, analyzed the contents of the envelope.

Several people came into contact with the suspicious envelope, and medical personnel examined them in order to evaluate their health. As a precautionary measure, they were placed under medical observation.

Ambassador Aguirre said that “we take these kinds of threats very seriously and we work very closely with the Spanish authorities to respond to any type of threat.”