Terrorism is the biggest threat facing the Beijing Olympic Games, said Jianzhu Meng, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security.

INTERPOL is committed to helping China ensure that the Games pass as safely as possible, Secretary General Ronald K. Noble told the conference.

Senior Chinese and Olympic Committee officials at the opening of the security conference.

Mr Noble discusses security threats with Jing Liu, Vice Minister of Public Security.

BEIJING, China – Recent demonstrations along the torch relay route and reports of disrupted plots to attack the Beijing Olympics have made the issue of safety and security at the event an even greater priority not just for China, but for all athletes and visitors, Secretary General Ronald K. Noble today told the International Conference on Security Co-operation for the Olympic Games.

Speaking in Beijing at the final conference on security preparations for the Games before they begin in August, Secretary General Noble said INTERPOL and its 186 member countries remained committed to helping the Chinese authorities ensure the Beijing Summer Olympics pass as safely as possible.

“Based on reports of thwarted plots in the Chinese media, including an attempt to bring down an airliner headed to Beijing, it seems clear that the threat has increased,” said Secretary General Noble.

Events surrounding the torch relay have also introduced significant additional complications to the normal security considerations for a major event such as the Olympics, and INTERPOL will support China’s policing efforts with an equally vigorous international effort.

“When thwarted attacks are coupled with the recent violent protests viewed by us all worldwide, prudence requires us to recognize the real possibility that groups and individuals could carry on their protests at the actual Games,” said Mr Noble.

“These activities could range from disruptive, such as blocking major transportation routes or interfering with competitions, to more violent acts like assaulting Olympic officials or athletes or destroying property.”

In addition, one of the most serious threats to any host country originates from what is, in fact, one of the most rewarding aspects of hosting the Games. China will open its doors to hundreds of thousands of visitors and journalists from all over the world, with an audience of billions watching on television – providing easy cover for terrorists and ensuring that any attack during the Olympics would have an immediate global impact.

Since 2007, INTERPOL has been producing threat assessments for Chinese authorities, following up on open-source reports of terrorist and other criminal incidents which could affect the Olympics, and conducting training sessions in crisis and major event operations. It will also deploy an INTERPOL Major Events Support Team to Beijing and put its 24/7 Command and Co-ordination Centre on alert for the duration of the Olympics.

  “It is our shared responsibility to work together to prevent incidents of crime and violence through preparation and planning . This is as essential to securing the Olympics as mental concentration, endurance and training are for the athletes who will compete here in a few months,” concluded Secretary General Noble.

See also

Opening speech by H.E. MENG Jianzhu, State Councillor and Minister of Public Security of China (25/04/2008)   Remarks by Ronald K. Noble, INTERPOL Secretary General (25/04/2008)