S. Africa Says Security Agents on High Alert During Earth Summit

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 27, 2002

S. Africa Says Security Agents on High Alert During Earth Summit

South Africa said Monday it has put in place a high level of security to ensure the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) a success.

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South Africa said Monday it has put in place a high level of security to ensure the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) a success.

Speaking at a press conference here, South African Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula said the government has deployed policemen and security staff around the Sandton Convention center to prevent any possible incident from happening.

The Sandton convention center, which was handed over to the United Nations by the government last Friday, has become the majorvenue for the summit, which kicked off Monday and attracted more than 10,000 delegated up to now.

Nqakula said the joint security units and UN security staff arein good operation to monitor the situation around the venues and so far no incident has been found in the summit venues.

When answering a question posed by Xinhua that what security measures the government took to protect the safety of the delegates, Nqakula said the security reinforcement has been put inplace to safeguard the life and property of the delegates.

Speaking of an attack on a delegate in armed robbery, Nqakula stressed that this was an unfortunately but occasional incident, saying that he and his colleagues will do their utmost to make delegates safe.

Last weekend, a Swiss delegate was attacked without harm by an armed robber in a Johannesburg hotel but in state of shock.

Meanwhile, the minister said the government will resort to appropriate actions if any individual or group does not abide by concerned laws and regulations.

He said if the non-governmental organizations and civil societywanted to march during the summit, they should apply to the security authorities and get the permission.

The protesters should march in line with the appointed time androute, otherwise they will be regarded as violation of laws and answer for their actions, he said.

The government has refused dozens of NGOs to stage their demonstration due to various causes, he said, but declined to disclose the list.

Earlier Monday, an anti-government group comprising Zimbabweansand some South African citizens staged protest outside the Sandtonto oppose land reform and accused the government of starving its own people.

Though more groups will demonstrate in the next few days, the situation is under control and the summit is taking place smoothly,the police said.

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