Churches attacked in Sydney

SYDNEY, OCT. 15. Police are investigating a series of arson attacks on churches here after arsonists claiming to be supporters of Osama bin Laden claimed responsibility for a week- end fire- bombing.

A caller to the police said, ``It was bin Laden,'' after the Uniting Church at suburban Bass Hill was extensively damaged on Sunday in the second attack on the building within three days.

Rev. Neil Ericksson, a minister, said 11 churches had been attacked in the same area in a fortnight. These followed an attack on an Islamic centre at nearby Lakemba.

Asked if the attack on the churches was a reprisal for the attack on the Islamic centre, Rev. Ericksson said, ``I guess it is, but I don't think it is helpful to speculate.''

Bass Hill is part of the Bankstown region, which is home to Sydney's large Islamic community.

Police said investigations were continuing into the spate of attacks and they had also stepped up patrols in the area.

The fire-bombing occurred as Australian authorities stepped up security nationally amid mounting international concern - and a series of hoax calls - about bio-terrorism.

The U.S. Consulate in Melbourne was evacuated today after a chemical found in a letter caused a security alarm, embassy officials said.

- AFP

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Section  : International
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