Security Tune-up at the World Cup
Germany unleashes its anti-terror plan
Terrorism and security concerns have been a major concern for Western nations and these concerns have also translated into increased security during the 2006 World Cup.
Along with all the chanting and screaming as the 2006 World Cup semi-finals approach, the stadiums of Germany are not only full of excited spectators, but also thousands of security personnel.
As part of its preparation plan as the host for the 2006 World Cup, Germany has deployed a massive security operation with a total of 266,000 policemen along with an additional 7,000 unarmed soldiers.
"There is no security that is 100 per cent," said Sebastian Bischoff, the vice consul for press and cultural affairs at the German consulate in Toronto. "But everything that can be done, is being done, and so far as we see, it seems to work."
But something that has been quite different than previous security procedures in other Cups and Games is the widespread presence of security forces from other countries, such as England and Poland, which brought along their own forces to protect the teams, fans and launch joint security ventures in the city.
"It is not the first time it has been done for the World Cup, but maybe none has been as extensive as this time. There are contingents traveling with the teams and fans and making it more easier for both sides, in terms of communication and also for sharing information," Bischoff said.
He clarified the role of the German military and said it is constitutionally illegal for the military to be deployed within the country for domestic security purposes, but the army he said, has been and is allowed to function in cases of destruction and catastrophe to bring aid and support to the people. He said the forces that are deployed are not militia but policemen.
"This is an issue of police and border control. We have police on the provincial level who take care of public transport, and also police that are operated by the federal government, who function as the border guards," he said.
Bischoff said given the changed environment post-September 11 and with Germany's prior experience with the Munich Olympics in 1972, when eight terrorists attacked the Israeli contingent in their apartments, leading to the death of 11 Israelis, two terrorists and one policeman, Germany is placed in a much more demanding situation than other host countries have been before.
He said Germany's strategic location is also another factor contributing to why such security measures must be taken. He said since Germany is central to Europe, its location makes it more accessible for the teams and visitors to attend the games, but at the same time it also makes it easier for suspicious people to enter the country as well.
"Now we live in a different world and we have to react with it accordingly... It is almost most important to do everything to prevent terrorism when it comes to us," he said.
