US Statue of Liberty reopens

The Statue of Liberty, hailed in song and speech as a national symbol of freedom and opportunity, Tuesday welcomed visitor inside the landmark amid extremely tight security on land, sea and air for the first time since the Sept.11 attacks.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor George Pataki and US Secretary of the Interior Gayle Norton attended the reopening ceremony Tuesday.

"Throughout the days of Sept.11 and thereafter, that torch shined bright," Governor Pataki said. "For the people of New York,the people of America and the people of the world, it never diminished, it never went out, and it never will."

A military color guard then carried the American flag to the podium. Musical performances included a rendition of George Cohan's "It's a Grand Old Flag" before the crowd rose for the national anthem.

Lady Liberty's pedestal was reopened despite new warning over the weekend of possible terrorist attacks on financial centers in New York, Newark of New Jersey and Washington D.C.

Visitors now can tour a reopened museum inside the pedestal and enjoy the panoramic view from the observation deck at the pedestaltop, about 16 stories above the ground. The interior of the copper-clad statue itself remains off limits because it cannot accommodate large number of tourists and does not meet safety codes.

The partial reopening has been criticized as a victory for terrorists, but the interior secretary said visits will be better,not limited.

"This is a win for safety," Norton said. "We used to, in the past, do the equivalent of putting people into a 12-story building with a narrow, winding staircase and only one exit. Today we have an experience that will be much more accessible for those in wheelchairs. People will be able to see up in the structure of the statue. And this time, they'll have the opportunity for people to explain what they're actually seeing."

Since the September 11 attacks, the national landmark has undergone millions of dollars in safety and security upgrades, including enhanced lighting and a new video system. Security is tight, with two airport-style screening points and a new bomb detection device.

Source: Xinhua