Minister: Security higher "ahead of 9/11"

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic says that police will raise security level in Serbia ahead of September 11 based on the information from the U.S. He told reporters that the U.S. colleagues had warned the Serbian police of possible attacks on the anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Minister: Security higher "ahead of 9/11" The Serbian police will raise the security level near buildings that could be possible targets. After an Emergency Situation Staff meeting, Dacic said it was estimated that the attacks could be repeated in the U.S. by members of “both white and black al-Qaeda”. According to him, the security level will be increased at foreign countries’ buildings in Serbia, police will perform preventive control of public order and step up the air traffic security. Ivica Dacic (Tanjug, file) Serbia well equpped for emergency situations Serbia is the second country in Europe, after Austria, when it comes to the number of municipalities that are equipped to react in emergency situations, the interior minister pointed out after the Emergency Situation Staff meeting which was attended by UN Secretary-General Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Wahlstrom. Dacic and Wahlstrom stressed that a successful way to prevent global natural disaster risks, such as floods, earthquakes and droughts required involvement of all parts of society. The Serbian interior minister said that Serbia was preparing changes to the Law on Emergency Situation in terms of harmonizing it with the UN standards and the Kyoto Protocol and working on establishing a national platform for disaster risk reduction. According to him, “this includes forming of a body that will in some way replace the staff and run the entire operation when an emergency situation occurs”. Dacic stressed that Serbia was one of few non-EU members that devoted so much attention to preparations for emergency situations. He repeated that Serbia had passed a law on emergency situation two years ago which merged the work of all relevant institutions. Wahlstrom praised the initiative to strengthen coordination regarding the national strategy. “The UN is happy that Serbia has joined us in a joint fight to decrease risks and consequences of disasters,” she concluded.

Minister: Security higher "ahead of 9/11"

The Serbian police will raise the security level near buildings that could be possible targets.

After an Emergency Situation Staff meeting, Dačić said it was estimated that the attacks could be repeated in the U.S. by members of “both white and black al-Qaeda”.

According to him, the security level will be increased at foreign countries’ buildings in Serbia, police will perform preventive control of public order and step up the air traffic security.

Serbia well equpped for emergency situations

Serbia is the second country in Europe, after Austria, when it comes to the number of municipalities that are equipped to react in emergency situations, the interior minister pointed out after the Emergency Situation Staff meeting which was attended by UN Secretary-General Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Wahlstrom.

Dačić and Wahlstrom stressed that a successful way to prevent global natural disaster risks, such as floods, earthquakes and droughts required involvement of all parts of society.

The Serbian interior minister said that Serbia was preparing changes to the Law on Emergency Situation in terms of harmonizing it with the UN standards and the Kyoto Protocol and working on establishing a national platform for disaster risk reduction.

According to him, “this includes forming of a body that will in some way replace the staff and run the entire operation when an emergency situation occurs”.

Dačić stressed that Serbia was one of few non-EU members that devoted so much attention to preparations for emergency situations.

He repeated that Serbia had passed a law on emergency situation two years ago which merged the work of all relevant institutions.

Wahlstrom praised the initiative to strengthen coordination regarding the national strategy.

“The UN is happy that Serbia has joined us in a joint fight to decrease risks and consequences of disasters,” she concluded.