The government reiterated yesterday that there is no intelligence pointing to threat of a terrorist attack during the Olympic equestrian events this August.

This came after Director of Immigration Simon Peh Yun-lu warned earlier in the day of possible attacks during the events.

Speaking at a press conference, the immigration chief said as a precaution, the department will deny entry to those who had sabotaged the Beijing Olympic torch relay, adding it was not targeting protesters.

"Intelligence shows that someone will sabotage the Olympic Games, including the equestrian events," he said. "I believe that those who cause damage are mainly terrorists."

Peh added the security arrangement for the events, expected to attract 42,000 tourists, 3,000 athletes and supporting staff, should be different from that during the World Trade Organization meeting in 2006, when many protesters, mainly Korean farmers, were permitted to enter Hong Kong.

"Those protesters did not attack anyone. They just played drum and music and marched," he said. "The current situation is different. Terrorists can launch lethal and violent attacks."

Peh did not disclose where the terrorists will be from.

"They can be from any places. They may not necessarily be from Xinjiang autonomous region and Islamic countries. We still have about 60 days before the events. The situation can change from time to time," he said.

He added that the department will liaise with police to ensure that the events will be held smoothly.

However, the public relations branch of the Police Force told China Daily afterwards that there is currently no specific intelligence suggesting that Hong Kong could be a target of terrorist attack during the events.

However, the terrorist threat level in the territory remains at "moderate", police said.

The force added it will maintain a high degree of vigilance .

It will step up security measures at strategic locations, in particular the airport, the public transport system and other critical infrastructures.

Meanwhile, Timothy Fok, president of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, said he did not receive any formal notice that somebody will cause destruction to the equestrian events in August.

Yet he believes the Security Bureau and the police will have the capability to handle the matter.

"Security is one of the most important tasks for the equestrian events," he said. "But Hong Kong is experienced in hosting large-scale events. I have faith in the police."

Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Company Limited (Equestrian company) did not receive any notice either.

"We're responsible for security at the venues. The overall security is the responsibility of the SAR government, particularly the police force," a spokesman for the company said.

He added security during the Olympic Games will never be taken lightly, and the equestrian events will receive the same attention.

(China Daily 06/17/2008 page1)