A detachment of seven US marines took over security at the US embassy in Bratislava in a small ceremony September 4. Two marines will stand watch in a booth inside the embassy's main entrance during the day, and one marine will be present at all times during off hours. The marines are charged with "providing internal defence at the ministry, protecting classified materials and protecting American citizens."
Slovak receptionists and guards will still process most visitors, although the presence of the marines was expected to tighten security.
Bratislava's is the 130th US embassy to receive a marine detachment. The US government decided in the mid-1990s to dispatch marines to all US embassies in the world, of which there are approximately 150.
9. Oct 2001 at 0:00 | From press reports of TASR and SITA
