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Claire Bonello
A foreign security officer who turned up at the SAS Golden Sands hotel in Ghajn Tuffieha for an impromptu and informal check of the security systems was not let in onto the building site where Tony Blair will be breakfasting come next November for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Salv Stellini, head of the CHOGM task force, described this as “positive”. Reassuring news indeed. While we wait for the concrete to dry on the hotel which will house the heads of state, we take a cue from our Greek cousins, and like them before the Olympics keep our fingers crossed that “it will be alright on the night.”
So the Maltese chapter of the Hell’s Angels motorbike gang will not be called in to ride with the queen and other heads of state during next November’s CHOGM summit, and that’s because all security arrangements for the meeting are under control, Salv Stellini says.
In the run-up to the event, the recent terrorist attacks in London have put people on edge, and security issues have eclipsed the publicity potential of the Commonwealth shindig.
So, who’s in charge, and do we have enough motorcycles and riders to go round, or will some dignitaries have to forego their motorcades? Stellini claims the figure quoted by MaltaToday of a shortfall of 30 motorcycles needed to escort the 53 heads of state is erroneous, but could not be persuaded to tell us if there are more or less actually available.
Police sources however insist that the current Maltese motorbike complement does not satisfy security requirements.
Police Commissioner John Rizzo is co-ordinating the security plan for the summit. This will involve the police force, the army, the secret service and the health and emergency services.
It is no secret that both the police force and the army are currently stretched to their limits because of the high number of illegal immigrants making it to our shores and who have to be guarded. How is this problem of already stretched security resources to be overcome? No clear answers on this one. Apparently clearer indications of the security plans or the number of security personnel available would be a breach of security - hence the unofficial “classified” label slapped on to the information.
The Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, says it would be “much better” to approach CHOGM without the irregular immigrants problem on our lap.
“The problem is with us and it may assume bigger proportions. Yet we have to deal with it as best we can. Preparations for CHOGM have been going on for quite some time - these include plans, local training courses and other security-related drills. If the influx of immigrants continues at a certain pace, it will certainly put more strain on our stretched resources. This notwithstanding, we shall have to find a way how to grapple with both issues.”
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