Security, traffic major concern at Asia-Europe meet
Security, traffic major concern at Asia-Europe meet
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat
BANGKOK (JP): With 21 leaders coming for the Asia-Europe Summit Meeting coming, the Thai government is taking no precautions with security and taking measures such as to announce a two-day holiday to ensure their guests are not caught up in infamous Bangkok traffic.
A security blanket comprising of over 5,000 police officers have been posted throughout the city for the two day summit which begins here tomorrow.
Officials have also said that at least 600 officers from a special branch will be assigned to add additional security for five leaders who are considered to be primary targets for terrorists and trouble makers.
The five leaders to be given additional security are British Prime Minister John Major, Chinese Premier Li Peng, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac and Indonesia's President Soeharto.
Police Director General P. Boonyachinda said yesterday that armed forces and the intelligence agency was also participating the coordination of security.
The tight security net is put on due to possible activities from various militant groups such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), North Korean terrorists and the Aum Syinri Kyo cult.
Demonstrations from Timorese activists are also being anticipated.
A Thai official at the Queen Sirikit National Convetion Center, the venue of the summit, yesterday told The Jakarta Post that apart from safety it was also important that the leaders are not disturbed by demonstrations and extraneous protests.
Taking lessons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) summit which was held here in December, police will be closing Ratchadapisek Road which located in front of the conference venue.
During the ASEAN summit transportation for several leaders were late because the street was blocked off by demonstrators.
The potential headache of transporting leaders and delegates on time for the summit was alleviated when the Thai government earlier this month announced that Friday would be a holiday thus giving Bangkok three-days of relatively uncongested traffic.
The government has prepared about 100 black and white Mercedes Benz cars for the leaders. Heads of state will be given the high- end S Class model while their spouses and foreign ministers the E Class.
The convention center is has been busy for the past few days preparing the various accommodations and electronic equipment for the summit.
A 4,900 square meter press center has been set up adjacent to the convention center for the 2,000 journalists expected to cover the event.
Inside the convention center 26 special private rooms have been set up for the leaders to rest.
The 3 x 5 square room will be furnished with a sofa, private telephone line and an easy-chair so the leaders can "put their feet up" and relax.
The private rooms, located in a separate hall as the meeting room, can only be entered by the leader, their minister or aid, private secretary and interpreter.