Security, traffic major concern at Asia-Europe meet<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (JP): With 21 leaders coming for the Asia-Europe
\nSummit Meeting coming, the Thai government is taking no
\nprecautions with security and taking measures such as to announce
\na two-day holiday to ensure their guests are not caught up in
\ninfamous Bangkok traffic.<\/p>\n
A security blanket comprising of over 5,000 police officers
\nhave been posted throughout the city for the two day summit which
\nbegins here tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Officials have also said that at least 600 officers from a
\nspecial branch will be assigned to add additional security for
\nfive leaders who are considered to be primary targets for
\nterrorists and trouble makers.<\/p>\n
The five leaders to be given additional security are British
\nPrime Minister John Major, Chinese Premier Li Peng, Japanese
\nPrime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, French Prime Minister Jacques
\nChirac and Indonesia's President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Police Director General P. Boonyachinda said yesterday that
\narmed forces and the intelligence agency was also participating
\nthe coordination of security.<\/p>\n
The tight security net is put on due to possible activities
\nfrom various militant groups such as the Irish Republican Army
\n(IRA), North Korean terrorists and the Aum Syinri Kyo cult.<\/p>\n
Demonstrations from Timorese activists are also being
\nanticipated.<\/p>\n
A Thai official at the Queen Sirikit National Convetion
\nCenter, the venue of the summit, yesterday told The Jakarta Post
\nthat apart from safety it was also important that the leaders are
\nnot disturbed by demonstrations and extraneous protests.<\/p>\n
Taking lessons from the Association of Southeast Asian
\nNations' (ASEAN) summit which was held here in December, police
\nwill be closing Ratchadapisek Road which located in front of the
\nconference venue.<\/p>\n
During the ASEAN summit transportation for several leaders
\nwere late because the street was blocked off by demonstrators.<\/p>\n
The potential headache of transporting leaders and delegates
\non time for the summit was alleviated when the Thai government
\nearlier this month announced that Friday would be a holiday thus
\ngiving Bangkok three-days of relatively uncongested traffic.<\/p>\n
The government has prepared about 100 black and white Mercedes
\nBenz cars for the leaders. Heads of state will be given the high-
\nend S Class model while their spouses and foreign ministers the E
\nClass.<\/p>\n
The convention center is has been busy for the past few days
\npreparing the various accommodations and electronic equipment for
\nthe summit.<\/p>\n
A 4,900 square meter press center has been set up adjacent to
\nthe convention center for the 2,000 journalists expected to cover
\nthe event.<\/p>\n
Inside the convention center 26 special private rooms have
\nbeen set up for the leaders to rest.<\/p>\n
The 3 x 5 square room will be furnished with a sofa, private
\ntelephone line and an easy-chair so the leaders can \"put their
\nfeet up\" and relax.<\/p>\n
The private rooms, located in a separate hall as the meeting
\nroom, can only be entered by the leader, their minister or aid,
\nprivate secretary and interpreter.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-traffic-major-concern-at-asia-europe-meet-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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