Europe Beefs Up Security As Iraq War Sparks Terror Fears

The Tocqueville Connection ^ | March 20, 2003 | editorial

[WaterDragon]

BERLIN, March 20 (AFP) - Thousands of extra security forces were mobilised across Europe Thursday to guard borders, transport hubs, embassies and military installations amid fears of terror attacks after the start of a US-led war on Iraq. It was also a case of urging public vigilance without causing panic.

In Spain, a member of US President George W. Bush's "coalition of the willing" against Iraq, strategic points like public buildings, power stations, communications centres and major enterprises were under heavy guard. It was business as usual at the US embassy in Britain, Washington's major ally, where measures put in place after the September 11, 2001 suicide hijackings remain in force.

But police had beefed up security around the Royal Air Force Fairford base in England's southwest were 14 US air force B-52 bombers were poised for war.

In Brussels, authorities boosted security around key sites including the US and British embassies and a summit of EU leaders, after the outbreak of war.

"Measures have been taken around sensitive national sites as well as the interests and symbols of countries which are implicated in the conflict on our territory," said a Belgian interior ministry spokesman.

Russian personnel were also on alert, boosting security around foreign embassies and key state facilities, but the US embassy in Moscow said it was on "a normal schedule" as the military operation got underway.

Moscow authorities sent 600 officers to monitor a protest there by about 200 ultra-nationalists and members of the Communist party.

The situation around Russia's nuclear power plants, hazardous industrial units and other key facilities was also being monitored.

In France, which like Russia has opposed military action taken outside the auspices of the United Nations, 500 extra troops were deployed to ensure internal security after the strikes happened.

"The terrorist threat exists and France is a target like other western states. Let us mobilise collectively without giving way to panic," Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said after an emergency cabinet meeting.

Around 4,500 police were mobilised in Athens to protect potential targets, with security forces giving priority to British, Israeli, Spanish and US interests, as well as other countries supporting the military action.

An imposing cordon blocked the US embassy and nearby streets were closed ahead of a huge protest planned for later Thursday by unions and other groups.

Poland moved quickly to protect infrastructure as war began even though Prime Minister Leszek Miller said there was no direct threat to its interests.

"We have reinforced the protection of our sources of drinkable water, our energy network, airports, train stations, schools and universities," Miller said after a meeting of a government crisis group.

In the neighbouring Czech Republic, a special brigade was mobilised at Prague airport and industrial sites like refineries and water treatment plants, and the Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power plants were under guard.

Hungary also boosted security at its only nuclear plant and more police were out on the streets.

Romania was taking special measures to ensure that "people suspected of terrorism" did not cross its borders, and the intelligence services were monitoring several "undesirables" they planned to expel.

Meanwhile in Portugal, the interior ministry said security forces had been placed on alert at strategic sites and police with machine guns could be seen outside the sprawling US embassy in Lisbon.A

The Netherlands focused its security efforts on foreign embassies while Austria put more guards on the Israeli embassy and Jewish interests and groups.

Throughout Scandinavia, the authorities reported an increase in security, notably around embassies, but were reluctant to provide details.

Switzerland said it had launched an internal security plan.

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