3,000 US Security Agents to Guard Bush During APEC Summit

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, August 28, 2003

3,000 US Security Agents to Guard Bush During APEC Summit

At least 3,000 US security agents will be on hand to protect U.S. President George W. Bush during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in October, the Bangkok Post reported Thursday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

At least 3,000 US security agents will be on hand to protect U.S. President George W. Bush during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in October, the Bangkok Post reported Thursday.

Thai National police chief Sant Sarutanont was quoted as saying that part of the 3,000 US security agents have already been training with the Thai Special Branch police, city police and the Arintharat riot police task force.

Sant said the use of so many US agents should not be interpreted as a lack of trust in the capability of Thai police to ensure security.

The US agents always mount this kind of security wherever the president goes, whether it is a visit to advanced countries like Germany or England or a less advanced country like Thailand, Sant explained, adding that the US is a major target for terrorist attacks, so such tight security is understandable.

He also revealed that US security experts have already poured over maps of the Bangkok's underground water and drainage systems in order to ensure "every square inch of Bangkok" to be checked inadvance of the October meeting, including water pipes in the Chao Phraya river and drains beneath buildings.

The banks of the Chao Phraya river would be guarded by US agents and Thai police and marine police would patrol the river while APEC leaders watch the royal barge procession from the navy convention hall on the night of Oct. 20.

It would be like Bush's visit to England, when security guards were everywhere around the Thames river, Sant said.

Thai police last week arrested Hambali, also known as Riduan Issamaludin, dubbed by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) asthe "Osama bin Laden of Southeast Asia," in Ayutthaya province, 75kilometers north of Bangkok.

Thai intelligence sources said information they had obtained indicated Hambali was in the Kingdom to plan a terrorist attack during the APEC summit on Oct. 20-22, to be attended by world leaders including US President George W. Bush.

Questions?Comments? Click here

APEC Members Pledge Continuous Actions Against SARS and Future epidemics

Hambali Denies APEC Attack Plan: Thai Press

Martin Luther King's Dream Hard to Be Fulfilled ( 23 Messages)

China's Economy Faces Stiff Challenges: Minister ( 3 Messages)

China's 150 million mu Forests Plagued by Exotic Pests ( 3 Messages)

Is a Good Husband Worth More Than a Good Job? ( 2 Messages)

Poll Shows More Americans Wouldn't Vote for Bush ( 15 Messages)