The U.S. embassy in Sofia closed for 24 hours last Thursday to carry out a thorough review of its security procedures. The closure was part of the U.S. State Department's worldwide security program and was not in response to a particular incident.

"We wanted to take a look at what we could do to make ourselves more secure," said U.S. Embassy press attache Keith Hughes. "We are satisfied with the results of the security check and will not be closing again unless there is a specific threat."

On June 22, the U.S. State Department issued a caution to all U.S. citizens living or travelling abroad. It stated that American citizens abroad might be at increased risk of terrorist action from extremist groups. The warning came the day after a U.S. grand jury indicted 14 people for the 1996 bombing of the King Abdul Aziz Air Base in Dharan, Saudi Arabia. The attack killed 19 U.S. servicemen and wounded 350. BBC correspondent Paul Reynolds commented that it appeared the warning was made after the State Department had received specific intelligence information.

The U.S. authorities are particularly concerned about the activities of terrorist groups connected to Osama Bin Laden, leader of the Islamic militant group Al-Qaida and America's most wanted criminal.

According to Hughes, there have not been any terrorist related incidents in Bulgaria. Although it is one of the crossroads between Asia and Europe, the State Department is no more worried about the situation here than anywhere else. "It could happen anywhere," said Hughes. "The embassy bombings in East Africa were a complete surprise. "If there is any threat in Bulgaria we will notify American citizens immediately," he added.

The State Department is advising U.S. citizens abroad to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take steps to reduce their vulnerability. They should keep a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources as highly suspicious.

Construction on the new, high security U.S. Embassy in Sofia has not yet begun but the land has been purchased and plans drawn up. "We expect it to be ready within three years," said Hughes.