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Karl Schembri
Security services are on high alert ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held here between 25 and 27 November amid serious concerns that terrorists may have infiltrated as illegal immigrants over the last months.
Maltese security agents have been in close contact with their British counterparts at MI5 and the US secret services as they stepped up the surveillance of small groups of Arab and African immigrants.
The Maltese and foreign services have been exchanging intelligence in the last weeks, including information about claims that a Sudanese refugee formerly living in St Paul’s Bay, now believed to be in Milan, Italy, may have links to al-Qaeda. Investigators are believed to have found military training videos and maps in his apartment, although a senior police official said he had “no recollection of any such case”.
The Royal Navy is expected to have a special six-man team from the Special Boat Service on board the British aircraft carrier and flagship, HMS Illustrious, in case of terrorist incidents or kidnapping involving British officials, and to help guard the ship berthed in Grand Harbour from suicide attacks by terrorists in speedboats.
HMS Exeter, which is expected to arrive in Malta on 21 November, will be offshore during most of the event.
Queen Elizabeth II will stay at the President’s Palace in San Anton.
British High Commissioner Vincent Fean said security during CHOGM will be exclusively in the hands of Maltese authorities.
“There will be no policing by British forces,” Mr Fean said.
“If we had any knowledge of danger or threat to CHOGM then we would immediately share it with Maltese authorities,” Mr Fean said.
British forces have also been providing training and expertise to Maltese police and armed forces, including “look and learn” experience at the G8 summit at Gleneagles. Scotland Yard has also sent a joint police and military team to advise on anti-terrorist operations and diplomatic security measures.
kschembri@mediatoday.com.mt
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