Heinrich
2004-06-01 18:03:53 UTC
Security tightens in France ahead of D-Day ceremonies
France went on red alert yesterday, stepping up security nationwide for the
visit of a host of world leaders at the weekend for the 60th anniversary of
the D-Day landings of World War II.
Measures taken by the French authorities included imposing a no-fly zone
over the Normandy beaches in northern France where 132,500 Allied troops
stormed ashore on June 6, 1944 to drive German forces out of France.
Four thousand troops and an extra 1,000 police have been mobilised under the
Vigipirate security plan, which will be raised to the maximum level -
scarlet - from June 4, ahead of the arrival of dignitaries, thousands of war
veterans and media.
The more than a dozen world leaders due to attend the festivities include US
President George W Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the monarchs
of Britain, Norway and the Netherlands.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will also be present, the first time a serving
German leader will be at the ceremonies.
France raised security at major airports and railway stations to level red
in March, following the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin has said France faced no specific
security threat but that international events increased risks - a veiled
reference to the situation in Iraq.
Under the latest security measures, demonstrations have been banned for a
week in a central Paris area that includes the Elysee presidential palace,
the prime minister's official Matignon office and the US Embassy near Place
de la Concorde.
Three demonstrations against US policy in Iraq planned for June 5 will be
kept away from the security zone.
Security has also been tightened at museums, galleries, major department
stores and cinemas throughout the capital. Left-luggage facilities have been
suspended at major railway stations and authorities increased surveillance
of the drinking water supply.
Reuters
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France went on red alert yesterday, stepping up security nationwide for the
visit of a host of world leaders at the weekend for the 60th anniversary of
the D-Day landings of World War II.
Measures taken by the French authorities included imposing a no-fly zone
over the Normandy beaches in northern France where 132,500 Allied troops
stormed ashore on June 6, 1944 to drive German forces out of France.
Four thousand troops and an extra 1,000 police have been mobilised under the
Vigipirate security plan, which will be raised to the maximum level -
scarlet - from June 4, ahead of the arrival of dignitaries, thousands of war
veterans and media.
The more than a dozen world leaders due to attend the festivities include US
President George W Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the monarchs
of Britain, Norway and the Netherlands.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will also be present, the first time a serving
German leader will be at the ceremonies.
France raised security at major airports and railway stations to level red
in March, following the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people.
Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin has said France faced no specific
security threat but that international events increased risks - a veiled
reference to the situation in Iraq.
Under the latest security measures, demonstrations have been banned for a
week in a central Paris area that includes the Elysee presidential palace,
the prime minister's official Matignon office and the US Embassy near Place
de la Concorde.
Three demonstrations against US policy in Iraq planned for June 5 will be
kept away from the security zone.
Security has also been tightened at museums, galleries, major department
stores and cinemas throughout the capital. Left-luggage facilities have been
suspended at major railway stations and authorities increased surveillance
of the drinking water supply.
Reuters
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