PRESS STATEMENT
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 4, 2001

Athens Response to Anthrax Tests

Early the afternoon of November 4, the American Embassy in Athens received lab results which confirmed that bacteria from a diplomatic mailbag that arrived at the embassy October 31 is not anthrax. The embassy then briefed the Greek government. The benign bacteria, not associated with disease, is a typical surface contaminant. The embassy has also been informed that a suspicious letter received last week at the Souda Bay naval station has tested negative for anthrax. 2001/863 [End] Released on November 4, 2001