Date:	98-03-24 03:42:13 EST


U.K. ports on alert over deadly anthrax from Iraq

LONDON, March 23 (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it had placed all ports of entry on 
alert for Iraqi biological weapons after intelligence sources warned of a plot to smuggle 
lethal anthrax in bottles of perfume and alcohol. 

We can confirm that an all-ports warning has been circulated,'' a spokeswoman for Prime 
Minister Tony Blair said. 

Sources said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's threat was uncovered by intelligence sources 
in Baghdad. 

According to the Sun newspaper, Saddam planned to target ``hostile countries'' including the 
United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members in revenge for any 
military strikes. 

The United States and Britain pulled back from threatened strikes against Baghdad in January 
after an agreement on United Nations weapons inspections in Iraq. 

The British warning advised port officials to be on alert for anything that could contain 
the anthrax virus -- a tiny drop of which could wipe out millions of people. 

Iraq may launch chemical and biological attack using material disguised as harmless fluids. 
Could officers therefore be alert for any items which might contain harmful substances,
the warning issued by Britain's Home Office (interior ministry) said. 

Attention should be given to containers of any size containing liquids with specific 
characteristics.

Blair's office said there was no evidence the plot had been carried out. 

A threat may have been made -- obviously that has to be taken seriously but we do not 
believe there is cause for alarm, the spokeswoman said.


REUTERS@ 

17:49 03-23-98