Turkey To Ensure All Security On Its Own During Nato Summit

ANKARA - Turkey would ensure all the security on its own during the NATO summit to take place in Istanbul, Turkey between June 28 and 29, sources said on Tuesday.
Sources told A.A correspondent that Turkey continued preparations for the summit.
The same sources said that Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), security departments, all ministries and Istanbul Municipality were working in close cooperation for the summit to which around 3,000 delegations and 3,500 journalists were expected to attend.
Thirty thousand security personnel and sea and air military units will be on duty during the summit.
Security measures will be tightened at the venue of the summit. The region will be closed to traffic. Security personnel may have the right to ask those who are living or working in the area to show documents proving their address.
Sources said that flight would be banned over Istanbul and AWACS aircraft would be on mission during the summit.
One AWACS would fly over Istanbul 24 hours a day, the same sources noted.
Besides air security measures, some additional measures will be taken for the naval security. Transit passages through Istanbul Strait will be controlled and sea barriers will be placed around Dolmabahce and Ciragan palaces.
Sources said that Turkish and U.S. security forces would cooperate to ensure security of the U.S. delegation comprised of about 1,000 people.
Turkey will allocate one armored vehicle for every delegation.
Sources stated that the summit might cost 20 million U.S. dollars but noted that this figure could rise.
Two hundred and 50 automobiles, 150 minibuses and 100 buses will be used for transportation during the NATO summit.
Two thousand telephone lines, 200 plasma televisions, 140 televisions, 500 computers and quick internet access will be available for the journalists who will cover the event. Two digital voice and translation system will be used during the summit.
Health centers and corners will be set up at the venue of the summit and hotels where the delegates will stay. Sixty ambulances, one helicopter and 700 health personnel will be available in case of any emergency during the summit.
(BRC) 01.06.2004