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apothecary

Sydney fenced in for APEC summit

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3 meters high I hear.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6973631.stm

A concrete and steel fence is being built across the centre of Sydney amid a massive security effort for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders next week.

More than 5,000 police and troops will also be deployed as part of Australia's largest security operation ever.

The 5km (three-mile) barrier is intended to protect the 21 leaders attending the meeting from thousands of protesters expected at the summit.

Major landmarks such as Sydney's Opera House fall inside the protection zone.

The world leaders - including US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin - will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) meeting for talks on climate change, regional security and free trade.

'Rabble-proof fence'

Police say they expect protests to be violent and have warned demonstrators not to march near the venue.

But activists opposed to the Iraq war and global warming have insisted they want to make their point peacefully.

Australia's government has spent A$169m (£68m, $138m) on security for the event over six years, with media dubbing the barrier the "rabble-proof fence".

Fighter jets and police helicopters will patrol the skies above Sydney, while Australia's navy will deploy ships, divers, water police and special forces in Sydney Harbour.

Mr Bush has already apologised to Sydney residents for any inconvenience caused during the summit, which started on Saturday and will end on 8-9 September.

"I'm looking forward to the beautiful city and to the extent I inconvenience [sydney residents], I apologise," Mr Bush said.

There is plenty to grumble about, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney, with commuters and tourists facing more than a week of disruption.

Parts of Sydney's rail network will be closed, along with many roads.

But residents have been given a sweetener, our correspondent says - next Friday has been declared a public holiday to coincide with the start of the meeting.

Edited by apothecary

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U can admire it, just dont take and pics...

Police backed on photo ban of APEC fence

Requiring tourists to delete happy snaps of Sydney's APEC security fence may be "over the top" but it is necessary, NSW Transport Minister John Watkins says.

He was responding to news reports that three German tourists were asked by police to delete digital photographs of the newly built fence, which stretches five kilometres through Sydney's CBD.

He said the move was part of the efforts to ensure there was no breach during the major protests expected later this week.

"There is some concern amongst police that some of those protesters who are coming ... will look for weak points in the fence," Mr Watkins told Southern Cross Broadcasting.

"And that one of the things they are doing is a recce of the fence to find where they can attack it.

"There are concerns, perhaps it's a bit over the top, but you can understand the job of NSW police is to keep us safe and APEC safe."

Mr Watkins also advised Sydney residents once again to avoid the Sydney CBD if possible during the APEC summit, and also to plan extra time to travel on city highways, particularly in the vicinity of the airport.

"It will be disruptive and that disruption will increase when the (United States) president arrives on Tuesday night," Mr Watkins said.

"If you're in and around the airport area, there will be a motorcade that brings him from the airport and into the city."

"There's been a lot of work and negotiation between NSW government and Commonwealth authorities to minimise the impact of George Bush's visit."

Mr Watkins said this included an understanding that the president's motorcade would not travel across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, preventing a shutdown of the city's major artery.

"Inevitably there is going to be disruption," Mr Watkins said.

"The message that we're getting across to people is try to leave extra time (for travel) and if you can avoid the CBD this week please do so."

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Australia (CPA) says the APEC security fence that stretches through Sydney's CBD is a "wall of shame" and undemocratic.

Party spokesman Peter Symon says CPA members will be taking part in protests later this week, and he has called on all Australians to "stand up to the intimidation of protesters by the NSW and Federal governments".

"The Great Wall of Sydney is a wall of shame and a testament to the disastrous and anti-people policies of the capitalist leaders of APEC," Mr Symon said in a statement.

news.ninemsn

...especially if ur a commie. :blink:

Edited by Bacchant

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