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10 corps to take care of Clinton's security

ASIF FAROOQI

ISLAMABAD: Rawalpndi-based 10 corps of the Pakistan army has been given the responsibility of taking care of the security matters of US President Bill Clinton during his six-hours stay in the country on 25th, it is learnt on authority.

Initial discussion on the security plan for the day held here this morning at the corps headquarter with Lt. Gen. Gulzar Jamshed, the corps commander in the chair. The meeting discussed the strategy and the issues related with the security arrangements at length.

Members of the army, civil intelligence agencies and other senior military officials participated in the meeting.

The information and media development ministry was still waiting to hearing anything particular from Washington on Clinton's possible encounter with the newsmen, who are likely to gather in Islamabad in 300 number to cover the highest level diplomatic activity.

The ministry has proposed that the President should hold a brief chat with journalists who are coming in to cover this mega-event from Australia and Africa.

Till this day 300 journalist have registered themselves with the external publicity wing, which has established a press centre for the foreign media.

Pakistan government too is still on the hold on the specify schedule and programme of the US President. Washington has not yet confirmed the timing, duration and other related information to authorities here. A huge delegation comprising security staff, state department officials and other US officials are expected in the twin during the next few days which is authorised to finalise the arrangements with the Pakistani officials.

However, the sources said that the first security cordon of President Clinton would consist only of US security people. Local security officials would not be allowed to enter into that closes security zone. Pakistani security officials would be scattered into the seven kilometers radius of VVIPs. Six day security plan is being discussed starting from March 21st to cover the national day celebrations and the Clinton's visit, the sources said.