From: SSAA, [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Australian Weapons ban sparks Games rift By MARTIN CHULOV 20jul00 AUSTRALIA faces a diplomatic stand-off with 12 countries that are determined to bring guns to the Olympics to protect their athletes. The federal Government, which is demanding that police be solely responsible for the protection of all athletes, officials and VIPs, is at loggerheads with the nations over the issue. Israel claims it has been granted permission to bring in weapons and that special customs arrangements have been prepared by Australian officials sympathetic to its security needs. Other countries to have expressed concerns include Turkey, Japan, the US, China and a Middle-Eastern bloc including Iran and Iraq. Jewish news service Israel Wire reported that a deal struck with Australia in May would enable agents who usually protect the Israeli Prime Minister to use their own weapons to protect athletes. It also said the US had been granted an exemption to the strict laws on the carriage of firearms. But both claims were rejected last night by Attorney-General Daryl Williams, who said no country or Olympic committee had made any formal request for exemptions to Australia's laws. Mr Williams, who is responsible for national security, will outline Australia's position next week to security chiefs from every national Olympic committee during a conference in Sydney. He will tell officials that the Government will not entertain any formal approaches by countries that demand to provide their own security and that it will take a hard line against countries that try to smuggle in weapons. Responsibility for security rests with the relevant Australian authorities and foreign security officials have no operational role in Australia," a spokeswoman for Mr Williams said. "Australia's firearms policy will come as no surprise to countries participating in the Games, because we have been briefing foreign security officials over a number of years." In the eight weeks until the opening ceremony, the federal Government and state police services will try to placate security concerns by briefing foreign security officials from every country attending the Games. A rare exemption to Australian laws was made four years ago when US secret service agents travelling to Australia with President Bill Clinton were permitted to carry weapons. But security organisers say allowing one country an exemption for the Games would be untenable, because it would "clearly open the door for other countries". Sources close to current negotiations are hopeful that next week's conference will ease the risk of the stand-off's developing into a full-blown diplomatic incident. But the sources concede Israel's reluctance to accept Australia's position is likely to cause security organisers continuing concern. Israel was chastised for smuggling weapons through diplomatic mail bags during the Los Angeles Olympics and officials say they believe agents may have access to weapons already in Australia. Israel has been sensitive to security needs since the slaying of 11 Jewish athletes by Palestinian terrorists at the 1972 Munich Olympics. NSW police have agreed to station extra armed guards for close personal protection near the Israeli team's accommodation in the Olympic village. A Chinese embassy official said last night the Chinese Government "knew nothing of Australia's position", while Russian consular Olympic attache Michael Kokorev said he expected the question of weapons to be "settled at next week's meeting". Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
