RIYADH, 11 December 2003 — A string of attacks in the Kingdom, the most recent being the suicide attack on Al-Muhayya Compound in Riyadh on Nov. 8, has forced foreign embassies to review their security details and upgrade safety precautions.
Most foreign missions have also canceled their national day celebrations, official receptions, commercial events as well as social, cultural and community programs in view of security threats.
A German Embassy spokesman, Elmar Jacobs, said: “We have been closely working with all European embassies and we have been following the instructions released by the Italian Embassy because Italy holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.”
Jacobs advised German nationals to be more vigilant and asked them to take all precautions. He, however, did not provide details of the security measures currently in place at the embassies or their residential compounds.
But many of the foreign missions and compounds were seen using imported bomb detectors, which cost about $80,000 or more. They have hired more private security personnel to keep round-the-clock vigil. Security companies are also training their employees and supplying them with walkie-talkies to enable them to report quickly any suspicious activity to the police.
Referring to the current security situation, Christoph Burg, charge d’affaires at the Austrian Embassy, said: “We have advised Austrians to be more cautious. We have also been monitoring security advisories from the US and British embassies besides the advice of our own government. We are very concerned about the safety of Austrian nationals.”
However, he reiterated that the embassy has not advised Austrian nationals to leave the Kingdom.
A majority of Westerners plan to stay put in Saudi Arabia, attracted by good pay and tax breaks.
Referring to the security situation in the Kingdom, Glenn White, deputy head of Australian mission, said: “The embassy’s security alert is at a high level. We have reviewed the whole situation and reissued high security alert last week.
Similar views were also expressed by Moon Byung Jun, a diplomat at the South Korean Embassy.
The Japanese Embassy said “it canceled a major reception, which was to be organized on Dec. 9 at the residence of the ambassador to celebrate the birthday of the Japanese emperor.”
