Preparations for the celebration of U.S. Independence Day in Moscow have moved into a final phase, despite recent youth violence and repeated threats by terrorist networks to attack U.S. interests both within and outside of the United States.

The events' organizer, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), one of the largest business organizations in Russia, representing more than 650 corporations, said last week it does not expect any security-related problems similar to the post-football rioting on Manezh Square, to mar the celebrations.

A rampaging crowd, shouting "Forward Russia," swept through downtown Moscow breaking shop windows and looting goods following Russia's World Cup match loss to Japan on June 9.

Two months ago, hostile anonymous e-mails were sent to foreign embassies' staff in Moscow, threatening them and urging them to leave Russia.

The escalating security issues in Moscow, particularly those directed against foreigners, prompted representatives of the diplomatic corps, headed by Swedish Ambassador Sven Hirdman, to log complaints on increased violence against foreigners with Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov in May. The ambassadors told Ivanov they are seriously concerned about the escalating attacks on foreigners in Russia and the insufficient [police] measures being taken to rein them in.

"We are not taking any special measures on account of the events on Manezh Square, as they were neither directed against Americans nor U.S. interests in Russia," AmCham president Andrew Somers told The Russia Journal last week.

"However, appropriate security measures will be taken - as we always do - to ensure a hitch-free celebration," he said.

Most AmCham members are expected to take part in some way in the celebrations, which will be held on July 6, as July 4 - the official U.S. Indepen-dence Day - is not a public holiday in Russia. This shift to the nearest weekend will allow more people to attend the daylong celebrations, the organizers said.

A recent addition to post-Soviet Russia's traditions, the unofficial public celebration of the U.S. national day at Kuskovo Estate - a sprawling property that once belonged to Count Pyotr Sheremetyev - has become very popular, not only among U.S. citizens, but also among some Russians, especially those employed in Western firms.

But scenes of thousands of drunken rioters in Moscow have cast some concerns for the safety of gathering publicly for any social event in general, and by foreigners in particular.

The Komsomolskaya Pravda daily reported earlier last month that a bomb masked in a mobile phone was discovered near the Vykhino metro station, not far from the suburb of Kuskovo. Later, the bomb detonated in the apartment of the finders, killing one and injuring another. The case has not been solved.

Further concerns are raised by the possibility of terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists. Citing Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV, CNN quoted Suleiman Abu Gaef, one of Al-Qaeda's chief representatives, last week as saying that up to 4 million U.S. citizens could be killed in planned Independence Day attacks on the United States, which could include the use of biological and chemical weapons.

The type - and level - of security measures to be taken at this year's AmCham celebration remain a closely guarded secret, especially against the backdrop of these renewed threats to attack U.S. interests.

A spokeswoman at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow refused in a telephone interview last week to comment on the security aspect of the [AmCham] program, noting that the embassy does not [officially] participate in organizing it. The embassy is involved in its own official celebrations, which are not open to the general public.

"I won't comment because, as a rule, the embassy does not comment on any security issue in Russia," she added.

Similarly, Russian law-enforcement agencies also declined to comment on security measures. They also refused to confirm whether an official request has been made for the premises to be swept for any suspicious devices on the eve of the celebration.

But an official who declined to identify himself added that, taking into consideration the numerous recent terrorism-related threats against the United States, some units of police and FSB agents are likely to be deployed on the premises to provide appropriate security.

However, he declined to elaborate or explain what he meant by "appropriate measures."

Meanwhile, only few people who plan to attend the event seem to take the threats of violence or terrorism seriously, judging by the statements of several businesspeople, including AmCham members, contacted by The Russia Journal last week, who said they feel secure in Moscow.

"I plan to attend the party because Moscow is one of the safest cities in the world," said Mark Hendersen, a U.S. citizen.

"My company will take part in the upcoming celebration, and we expect the attendance to be at least at last year's levels," said Henrik Nenzen, an AmCham member and CEO Ford Motors in Russia.

Another AmCham member, Sergei Riabokobylko, a director at Stiles & Riabokobylko Realty, said he has been attending the events for the past five years. "Everything is always well organized, and, therefore, I don't expect any security problems during this year's celebration either," he added.

"We are expecting to have about 10,000 people at the estate, approximately the same number of people we had last year," said Irina Zernova, AmCham's vice president in charge of operations. Programs at the occasion will include soccer, American football and life-band performances by some Russian top singers.

Others said they would go to the party even though the events of Sept. 11 have dampened the traditional festive mood on these occasions. "I think after the tragedies of Sept. 11, we ought to have a more somber July 4, and remember those who perished as well as the fact that the United States is at war at the moment," an American executive said on condition of anonymity.