Rome security tightened
2005-04-04 17:39
Rome - Italian authorities prepared on Monday to wrap a tight security blanket around Rome for Pope John Paul II's funeral later this week, an event set to draw up to two million people and a host of world leaders.
US President George W Bush will be among the mourners at the requiem mass on Friday, the White House said, which would make him the first US president to attend a pope's funeral.
Altogether, about 200 dignitaries, including monarchs, heads of state and government and religious leaders are expected for the ceremony, with hundreds of millions likely to watch on television and two million on the streets.
It will be the biggest gathering since huge peace demonstrations here two years ago protesting against the US-led war on Iraq.
Security has already been tightened across Italy, the interior ministry said.
Italian interior minister Giuseppe Pisanu said on Monday that he had mobilised nearly 6 500 security personnel for Rome alone.
about 5 000 will be responsible for public security and guarding sensitive buildings, while the remainder would protect the dignitaries.
To those would be added city police, bringing the total security detail in the Italian capital to about 10 000.
His ministry said the measures, which have been organised in co-ordination with the Vatican, also included snipers and bomb disposal experts as well as rapid deployment units.
A no-fly zone is to be enforced over Rome, patrolled by warplanes, a Nato Awacs surveillance plane and helicopters, measures similar to those used when Bush visited the city in June last year and when Italy hosted a Nato summit at the Pratica di Mare air force base nearby.
Passenger traffic to and from Rome's two commercial airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino, will be halved. Despite the expected influx at railway stations - authorities are putting on an extra 43 trains a day - security is also being tightened there.
Transport
Rome police chief Achille Serra urged Italians not to come to the city all at once.
The Italian news agency Ansa, citing intelligence sources, said there were fears of demonstrations and maybe even attacks during the funeral.
As an extra security measure, some heads of state will land at the Pratica di Mare base.
To cope with the number of mourners, two sites are being set up: one at a university campus, which can host up to 200 000 people in rooms and tents, and where food and drinks will be distributed, the other at an exhibition centre with space for 5 000.
Four railway stations in Rome will stay open day and night and may also be used if necessary to put people up.
As for people arriving by coach, they will be parked outside the capital, notably at the Olympic stadium, and will be transported into Rome on shuttle buses.
Hospitals have been put on alert and staff called in for the occasion. On the ground there will be 15 temporary medical centres, 600 doctors and nurses and 200 ambulances available.