Roundup: Earth Summit Comes, Security Forces Ready

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, August 26, 2002

Roundup: Earth Summit Comes, Security Forces Ready

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With the formal opening of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) at 10:20 a.m. (0820 GMT) Monday, the South African police forces are ready to solve any problem arising during the summit.

In Sandton Convention Center, the main venue of the summit, the United Nations security agents checked every item of the delegates that came into the building. Cameras, laptop computers, watches, and coins were carefully examined.

Outside the center, the road that leads and passes under Sandton Square has been completely cordoned off, not to locals only, but to all motorists except WSSD's accredited pedestrians.

Around the whole Sandton city, a large building complex, the checkpoints are installed everywhere.

With the coming of more than 10,000 delegates, including over 100 heads of state and government, 4,000 government delegates and 2,000 journalists, to create a safe and secure environment for thedelegates became the "mission impossible" for the South African security authorities.

Previous reports said that about 8,000 police, national defensearmy and intelligence agents would protect the safety of the delegates, and several thousand more from other places will join the impenetrable security blanket to prevent and resolve any crimeor threat to the summit.

A seeker unmanned plane monitored the airspace around the clockin Sandton and a Rooivalk attack helicopter might provide extra security.

Transport and spotter helicopters are on standby and infantry will help at roadlocks.

No aircraft will be allowed to fly within 5-kilometer radius ofthe conference center and flight plans have to filed 24 hours in advance.

Military doctor and paramedics are ready to support Johannesburg's emergency and disaster management services.

Firefighters are deployed and fire inspectors have already inspected 25 official venues and hotels.

Manholes at all summit venues have been sealed up.

South African Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula recently assured summit delegates in a speech that their safety was in good hands.

An integrated security strategy was in place to create a secureenvironment for all the delegates, he said.

Thousands of security force members have been deployed to conduct general day-to-day crime prevention operations. These include stop-and-search operations and roadblocks, as determined by tactical intelligence.

In recent years, international summits have been disrupted by anti-globalization protesters and environmentalists.

To prevent such scenes reappeared in Johannesburg, the South African government had taken concerted measures, including the negotiations with the civil society for the arrangement of the some peaceful marches, and the repeated announcement that police would take an iron hand on illegal demonstrations.

Nqakula said while the police respect the rights of people to express themselves through protest, the demonstrators must exercise their rights without breaking the law.

"Should an illegal gathering or march take place, the security forces will take the necessary action," he warned.

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