French embassies get threats

2004-03-24 12:51

Paris - Threatening letters similar to one addressed to France's prime minister have been received by French embassies located in Muslim countries across the globe, judicial and diplomatic officials said Tuesday.

The letters are signed by the mysterious "Servants of Allah the Powerful and Wise," not previously known to France's intelligence officials.

The letters sent to two Paris newspapers last week and addressed to Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin threatened possible terror attacks against France and French interests. The stated motive was to punish France for its ban on Islamic headscarves in public schools.

French embassies in Muslim countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia received the same letter, the officials said, speaking on condition they not be further identified.

All the letters were sent on March 15 from a post office near the Louvre Museum in central Paris.

Avoid crowded places

The letters threatened France and its overseas interests and urged Muslims to avoid crowded places.

Authorities have taken the threat seriously. However, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has said the letters do not resemble typical messages by Islamic extremist groups, and authorities are looking into whether they could have been sent by an extreme-right group masquerading as Islamic militants.

Scientists at a laboratory in the northwest city of Nantes are studying the messages for traces of DNA, the officials said.

France's ban on headscarves and other religious apparel in the classroom - designed to uphold a tradition of secularism in schools - is seen by many in the Arab world as anti-Muslim. After being approved in parliament, the measure became law last week. It is to be enforced as of the new school year starting in September.

- AP