White powder sent to foreign missions in New York harmless (Roundup)

Nov 10, 2009, 15:10 GMT

New York - A suspicious white powder contained in envelopes sent to the missions of France, Austria and Uzbekistan in New York were determined to be harmless after laboratory tests, news reports said Tuesday.

The discovery of the envelopes at the three foreign missions to the United Nations Monday triggered a search by the FBI as well as New York City police and fire departments.

At least 40 people at the French mission went through a decontamination process in tents set up outside the building, which houses various other foreign missions, including those of Canada and the United Kingdom, news reports said.

The envelopes appeared to have originated in Dallas, Texas. At least one reportedly made a reference to terrorist organization al- Qaeda.

A series of mailed packets containing powdered anthrax sent within the United States shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks, resulted in widespread panic and left five people dead.