Warning of possible threat to U.N.'s Geneva HQ

updated 8:24 a.m. ET Oct. 5, 2006

GENEVA - Swiss authorities have informed the United Nations of a threatened attack against its European headquarters in Geneva, its biggest premises outside of New York, a U.N. statement said on Thursday.

“The Swiss authorities have contacted the U.N. Office at Geneva (UNOG) to inform them of a possible threat against United Nations premises in Geneva,” the statement said.

“No information has been provided about the possible authors or the means to be used. No specific target has been mentioned,” it added.

Security and checks have been stepped up at the sprawling Palais des Nations, the original League of Nations, where work and meetings continued as usual, U.N. spokeswoman Elena Ponomareva said.

Some 1,600 people work in the 1930s building, where the U.N. Human Rights Council is currently holding a three-week session to examine alleged violations -- including counter-terrorism measures taken in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001.

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