ASEM

Stringent security measures to be put in place for ASEM summit

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Unprecedented security measures are being put in place in Helsinki in the coming days to help deal with the summit of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) which begins in Helsinki on Sunday. According to the Finnish Security Police, possible street unrest by fringe political groups is the greatest foreseeable security threat.
      However, it has also been pointed out that the second day of the summit, Monday, is the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States.
      "It is something of a coincidence, which we need to take into account. It might attract some people", says Hannu Moilanen, deputy head of the Finnish Security Police (SUPO).
     
Although the police are not expecting a terror attack, officials are exceptionally well prepared for the possibility of such an event. The security plan drawn up by the police includes a section on procedures for asking for military assistance from the Defence Forces.
      Under the plan, the military is ready to shoot down a plane or helicopter if it is being used for an attack.
      However, SUPO is quick to emphasise that there are no indications of any significant security threat.
      "The people can take a calm view of the meeting. The situation is under control", Moilanen insists.
     
Finnish anarchists are planning an anti-ASEM demonstration on Saturday. On their website, the organisers say that they plan to bring "at least some chaos" to the streets of Helsinki.
      Also on Saturday, another demonstration is being organised by nearly 30 different organisations of the Asia-Europe People’s Forum. The forum of NGOs convened in Helsinki already on Monday to draw attention to environmental and human rights issues.
      Police estimate that the protests will attract hundreds, or even thousands of people to the streets of the city.
     
Helsinki police commander Jukka Riikonen says that security arrangements are the biggest ever to be implemented in the Finnish capital.
      Normally nearly 1,500 police officers are on duty in Helsinki, but during the ASEM summit, there will be a few thousand, with reinforcements coming from other communities, as well as from the National Police School of Finland.
      In addition to security on the ground, helicopters of the Finnish Border Guard will serve as an eye in the sky. Aviation officials are also restricting the use of air space: the sky over the centre of Helsinki will be off limits to small aircraft.
      People arriving in Finland - even from another Schengen country - will also be subject to passport inspections until Tuesday next week.
     
Helsinki residents and visitors to the capital are advised that the ASEM Summit will cause serious traffic problems in the city as well as filling the capital's hotels to the brim from Thursday onwards. Both the Esplanades will be closed to traffic on occasions, and the area in front of the Presidential Palace (adjoining the Market Square) will be off-limits to traffic several times between September 7th and September 12th. Mannerheimintie, the main thoroughfare, will see traffic disruptions as it is the primary route for dignitaries' limousines between the Palace and the Fair Centre in Pasila, the site of the actual meeting. The Pasila area will also be subject to closures to traffic, and there will have to be amendments to some tram routes. In addition to the Fair Centre, smaller meetings will be held in Finlandia Hall, Parliament, and elsewhere.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Organisations urge Finland not to forget human rights during ASEM (4.9.2006)

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