28 May 2002

Cooks official says threats being taken seriously

5:00 pm on 28 May 2002

Security is being put in place for two senior Cook Islands government officials following a threatening letter sent to the prime minister's office.

Piho Rua, the chief executive of the PM's office, says he's handed the information over to the police who have begun an investigation into the threats.

Mr Rua would not identify what was in the letter or which officials are involved but he says he has some suspects in mind.

"The content of the letter is serious enough for me and also for the police to be alerted over the safety of government officials in this country....I must say putting the security in place ....the police is doing surveillance work anyway..."

Mr Rua says police will investigate whether there's any connection between the fire in the prime minister's office last week and the threatening letter.