Rome security tight
Apr 07, 2005
<b>ROME, Thursday </b>— From anti-aircraft missiles to hundreds of marksmen, an “unprecedented†security operation kicked into top gear Thursday as 200 world leaders and a vast throng of pilgrims converged on Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
ROME, Thursday — From anti-aircraft missiles to hundreds of marksmen, an “unprecedented†security operation kicked into top gear Thursday as 200 world leaders and a vast throng of pilgrims converged on Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Anti-aircraft Hawk and Italian Spada missile units were deployed in the outskirts of the Italian capital as Rome’s airspace closed down along with the city’s second airport, where dignitaries are to land to attend Friday’s funeral.
Italian Interior Minister Beppe Pisanu said the security operation “has no precedents in history.â€
NATO also joined the operation, deploying AWACS surveillance planes and F-16 jets that are to patrol the skies over the capital non-stop, being refuelled in the air by a Boeing 707, Italian media reported.
If a small plane were to get past the tight security net, missile-armed helicopters would shoot it down, reports said.
Italy’s aviation authorities said air traffic to Rome’s main Fiumicino airport was being reduced by 30% due to the no-fly zone.
Road traffic throughout the city and its outskirts was also being barred from 2:00am (0000 GMT) Friday until at least 6:00pm in the evening, officials said, in a first in modern Roman history.
Anti-aircraft Hawk and Italian Spada missile units were deployed in the outskirts of the Italian capital as Rome’s airspace closed down along with the city’s second airport, where dignitaries are to land to attend Friday’s funeral.
Italian Interior Minister Beppe Pisanu said the security operation “has no precedents in history.â€
NATO also joined the operation, deploying AWACS surveillance planes and F-16 jets that are to patrol the skies over the capital non-stop, being refuelled in the air by a Boeing 707, Italian media reported.
If a small plane were to get past the tight security net, missile-armed helicopters would shoot it down, reports said.
Italy’s aviation authorities said air traffic to Rome’s main Fiumicino airport was being reduced by 30% due to the no-fly zone.
Road traffic throughout the city and its outskirts was also being barred from 2:00am (0000 GMT) Friday until at least 6:00pm in the evening, officials said, in a first in modern Roman history.