FRANCE: PARIS: SECURITY STEPPED UP FOR SOCCER WORLD CUP

Описание: (28 May 1998) French/Nat

18-hundred extra troops and police are being deployed to protect the World Cup in France.

Security is being stepped up two weeks ahead of the opening of the soccer tournament over fears that it could be a target for Algerian extremists.

As the countdown to the World Cup continues in France, security is being tightened up.

On Thursday an extra one-thousand eight hundred soldiers and police were deployed by French authorities in Paris and other French cities hosting the contest.

They will be maintaining a high profile presence in the hope of deterring would-be bombers.

The reinforcements, under the so-called Vigipirate programme, join 6,000 police and 1,800 security guards to watch over the June 10-July 12 event which authorities fear could be targeted by terrorists.

About 100 troops were already guarding the Eiffel Tower, considered a strategic point because of the telecommunications relays on top of the monument.

Other broadcast, communications and electrical installations are also getting special protection.

On Thursday morning, soldiers and policemen were patrolling the Eiffel Tower when a false alarm took place. A suspect bag was found near a pillar of the Eiffel tower, but it proved to be harmless.

The last major Vigipirate mobilisation came in December 1996 after a terrorist bombing in the Port Royal subway station in Paris.

The police and army are now patrolling Paris train stations such as the Montparnasse, where Captain Loic Kerihuel is on duty.

SOUNDBITE: (French)
"Our mission is the normal one. We are supposed to make sure that the security measures are set up to prevent any incident and we are here to prevent any terrorist action. The goal of our presence here is also to comfort people"
SUPER CAPTION: Captain Loic Kerihuel, French Army

Authorities fearing an attack by Islamic militants rounded up scores of suspects this week in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

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