Tight security for Paris meet

More than 10,000 French servicemen will be deployed in France to enhance security as the 21st United Nations conference on climate change is scheduled from Nov 30 to Dec 11 in Paris, a government official said on Nov 25.

The measure is being taken in light of the terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov 13, in which at least 129 people were killed and more than 350 injured, 99 of them seriously, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said.

The French government introduced emergency measures after the attack but decided not to postpone the UN COP21, which stands for Conference of the Parties.

"It will be held with enhanced security measures, but it is an absolutely essential action against climate change and of course it will be held," President Francois Hollande said after the terrorist attack.

Hollande and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius, president of the COP21, wanted to invite all heads of state and governments to the opening of the conference on Nov 30 in order to generate political momentum ahead of the negotiations, which will take place first at a technical level, then at ministerial level.

At the summit, 147 top officials and heads of governments will participate in talks to reduce global warming. About 40,000 visitors, including more than 3,000 journalists, were expected to attend, according to officials.

This level of participation makes security a big issue, especially after the attack. Registration for reporters has been restricted. Organizers have turned away more than 1,000 journalists because of stricter security, according to news reports.

"We had hoped to have some flexibility regarding increased media accreditation for COP21; However, due to overwhelming demand, and now facing tighter security in light of recent events, we are sorry to inform you that your application has been declined," the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's media office said in an e-mail sent to many journalists, according to the Climate Depot website.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced on Nov 25 that 8,000 police officers and gendarmes would be stationed at French borders and an additional 2,800 units would secure the Le Bourget site of the high-profile climate gathering.

"The success of the COP21 also means the event's optimal security. Everything is being done to secure as much as possible the conference itself and the nearby areas," he said.

Recently, bag checks have become common at the entrance of hotels and office buildings in Paris.

France canceled massive marches planned in public places in Paris and other cities on Nov 29 and Dec 12, Fabius said.

Demonstrations organized in closed spaces or in places where security can easily be ensured would be allowed, Cazeneuve said in a recent statement.

France's chief climate diplomat, Laurence Tubiana tweeted: "Hope spirit of cooperation and peace will be stronger than violence."

Xinhua contributed to this story.

tuoyannan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 11/27/2015 page7)