Home>>World
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 07, 2004

NY Mayor wants Statue of Liberty reopened

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is insisting that the Statue of Liberty be reopened, even if each tourist has to be escorted inside by a police officer.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is insisting that the Statue of Liberty be reopened, even if each tourist has to be escorted inside by a police officer.

'This is a symbol of America. Come on, let's stand up and have some guts. If we have to have the security people there, let's do it, but let's get it open,' he said on Monday.

The statue has been closed for security reasons since the Sept 11 terrorist attacks.

The observation deck on the statue's pedestal is scheduled to reopen in July. But tourists still will not be allowed inside the statue itself.

Mr Bloomberg, who contributed US$100,000 (S$169,000) of his multibillion-dollar fortune to help pay for US$7 million in security upgrades to the monument, said the statue never should have been shut in the first place.

'If you have to have a police officer standing next to every single person going in there, that's a better way to do it,' he said.

The security upgrades that will be made before the pedestal is reopened include screening procedures similar to those used at airports, and a reservation system to reduce long lines.

Visitors used to be able to climb a narrow, winding staircase to the crown.

Source: agencies




Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






FBI Warns New York About Possible Threat

Statue of Liberty to remain closed



 


Israel's killing of Yassin fuels conflict: Commentary ( 2 Messages)

How the US could improve its image abroad ( 14 Messages)

US urged not to fingerprint Chinese ( 10 Messages)

China hunts corrupt officials who abscond overseas ( 3 Messages)

Seven Chinese activists land on Diaoyu Islands ( 4 Messages)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved