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Terror fears taint New Year
By Craig Francis
(CNN) -- Normally a time of joyous celebration, New Year's Eve festivities ushering in 2003 are being tempered by a sense of unease and increased vigilance throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Fears that terrorists will use the jubilant countdown to 2003 to stage another potentially high-profile attack have seen a security blanket thrown over cities throughout the region. From the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, cordons of security guards, police and undercover inspectors are being deployed by governments hoping to prevent any repeat of the type of attack that devastated Bali on October 12. Nowhere did the shadow of Bali cast a darker pall than over Australia. Revelers across the country were being asked to adhere to their fun-loving ethos while state-sponsored television advertisements insist they remain "alert but not alarmed". (Full story) Areas around the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House were fenced off, with security guards checking bags before access was granted. Guards were also patrolling the main harborside vantage points, searching the bags and cooler bins of those gathered to watch the evening fireworks displays. In Indonesia, where Western embassies have issued warnings to their citizens about the risk of terrorism over New Year, more than 100,000 were guarding shopping and entertainment centers, mosques, churches and other public facilities. A series of bombings at churches across Indonesia on Christmas Eve two years ago killed 19 people. In the capital Jakarta, key roads will be closed for a street party, but despite widespread tight security thousands of Indonesians are expected to turn out to see in 2003. In Bali, the islanders were putting on a brave face at New Year's Eve festivities on the famous Kuta Beach, just blocks away from where two bombs ripped through a number of nightclubs in October. President Megawati Sukarnoputri will attend the festivities, which will include traditional dance and musical performances, Reuters news agency reported. Vandalism, not terrorism, was the prime concern of authorities in Hong Kong. Some 100,000 people were expected to converge on the waterfront at Tsim Sha Shui during New Year's Eve. Authorities were so eager to prevent a repeat of Christmas festivities -- when 20 tonnes of rubbish was strewn about the area and buildings were daubed in graffiti -- that trees and sculptures in the tourist district were being wrapped in plastic. Gunshots bannedIn the Philippines, members of the armed forces, police and civilians have been ordered to refrain from chasing away evil spirits with their weapons. Anyone shooting rounds ammunition into the air at New Year has been threatened with jail and instant dismissal from government positions At least three people were killed and more than 500 others were injured by firecrackers and stray bullets during New Year's eve revelry last year. In Bangkok, as many as 5,000 police officers hit the streets as half a million Thais were expected to leave home for the New Year celebration around Thailand's capital. Thai national police bureau spokesman Pongsapat Pongcharoen said the deployment was aimed at easing traffic congestion, preventing petty crime, drunk driving, and under-age drinking, Reuters reported. Vajpayee sends messageIn India, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee used his New Year address to stress India's claim to the disputed province of Kashmir. Speaking from his Goa hotel, Vajpayee on Tuesday said Pakistan should accept Kashmir as an integral part of India and move on to improving trade and cultural contacts, reported Associated Press. "Let our two countries agree to promote beneficial trade and economic ties, strengthen cultural relations, and encourage greater people-to-people contacts," Vajpayee said, before ruling out the prospect of renewed dialogue with Pakistan. French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie arrived in Kabul for a 24-hour visit which will include meetings with Afghan leaders and New Year celebrations with French troops stationed in the city.
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