Government Plays Down Threat of Terror Attack At Hong Kong Olympics Equestrian Event
June 17, 2008 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
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A warning of a terror attack during the Olympic events in Hong Kong from the citys immigration chief was played down by the government last night.
The terrorist threat level remains moderate, a government spokesman said, but police will maintain close liaison with mainland authorities and overseas law enforcement agencies to ensure timely exchanges of intelligence.
The governments response followed comments earlier yesterday by Director of Immigration Simon Peh Yun-lu that the department has received intelligence the equestrian events are under threat of attack.
Speaking at his first media reception since assuming office in April, Peh said intelligence said some people are plotting to sabotage the Olympic Games, including the equestrian events.
Of course this kind of intelligence will continually change right now the main individuals who might sabotage the event are terrorists, Peh added, without giving any specifics on the terrorists. If we know some are plotting to sabotage the Games, or to damage the solemnity of the events or disrupt the smooth processing of the events, we will ban their entrance.
Lawmaker James To Kun-sun, deputy chairman of the Legislative Councils security panel, said it was unusual for a director of immigration to reveal intelligence on a potential threat of terrorist action.
He said it was possible Peh was laying the groundwork with which to ban peaceful demonstrations during the Games or to prevent people from entering the city.
In his briefing, Peh refused to be specific about the intelligence his department had received.
The department estimates 42,000 visitors will arrive in Hong Kong to see the equestrian events as well as 3,000 athletes.
In addition to maintaining close liaison with mainland authorities, police will step up security measures at strategic locations, in particular the airport, the public transport system and other critical infrastructures.
The Standard – Hong Kong’s First FREE English Newspaper
Background
Security concerns over a possible terrorist attack during the Beijing Olympics spread to Hong Kong on Monday, with a top immigration official warning the city’s hosting of Olympics equestrian events could be targeted.
“Intelligence reports suggest to us that there are some people who will come to sabotage Olympics events including equestrian events,” said Simon Peh, Hong Kong’s director of immigration, in an interview to a select group of local media.
“Of course this kind of intelligence will continually change … right now the main individuals who might sabotage the event are terrorists,” Peh added, without giving any specifics on where these terrorists might come from or their affiliation.
The head of Interpol, Ronald Noble, said in April there was a “real possibility” that the Beijing Olympics would be targeted by terrorists, but this was the first time that specific intelligence had suggested a possible security threat involving Hong Kong.
The former British colony will have a fringe Olympics role this August, hosting equestrian events on behalf of Beijing after the capital city failed to set up a disease-free zone for horses.
