http://www.boston.com/dailynews/178/world/Security_threat_keeps_Canadian:.shtml

Security threat keeps Canadian warship at sea in Persian Gulf

By Associated Press, 6/27/2001 16:06

OTTAWA (AP) The Canadian military has ordered its only warship in the Persian Gulf to remain at sea instead of docking this week in the United Arab Emirates, reportedly because it has received an unspecified security threat.

The order follows a similar move last week by the U.S. military officials, who ordered Navy ships out of port in Bahrain and cut short a Marine training exercise in Jordan in response to a terrorist threat against Americans in the Middle East.

The HMCS Winnipeg, the only Canadian Forces vessel in the region, will not dock in Dubai as planned, a Defense Department statement said.

''The current threat in the Middle East reinforces the importance of remaining vigilant, especially during deployments and foreign port visits,'' said the statement, which made no mention of a specific threat.

The Canadian Press new agency, however, said Wednesday a military officer confirmed a security threat was the reason for the order.

The HMCS Winnipeg is part of a U.S.-led international interdiction force that monitors United Nations oil sanctions against Iraq imposed after the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Department also has issued a travel advisory for Canadians living and traveling in the Persian Gulf region, saying they should ''remain cognizant of the risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.''

The bulletin warned against leaving vehicles unattended and advised caution when opening mail and packages.

There are 5,700 Canadians known to be living in Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001