Security tight for Pope’s 5hr visit to Chch

Press, 24 November 1986, Page 1

Security tight for Pope’s 5hr visit to Chch

By

DEBORAH MCPHERSON

A huge web of security has been planned for Pope John Paul IPs five-hour visit to Christchurch today, on the final stage of his three-day New Zealand visit.

“Operation Rome,” as Christchurch police have dubbed their arrangements, is set to move into motion as soon as Pope John Paul steps off the Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft on to the tarmac at Christchurch Airport at 9 a.m. The Christchurch police say the Pope is being afforded greater protection than Royalty. After a brief welcome from the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, and Lady Hay, and several other civic leaders, Pope John Paul will leave the aircraft at 9.20 a.m. for the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, where he will take part in a national ecumenical service.

The Pope will travel to the cathedral in a specially secured glasstopped Popemobile. Those wanting to catch a glimpse of the Pope will be able to get the best view as the motorcade travels from the airport along Memorial Avenue, Fendalton Road, Harper Avenue, Park Terrace, Salisbury Street, and Barbadoes Street, before arriving at the cathedral at 9.40 a.m.

The Popemobile arrived in Christchurch from Wellington late last evening and was placed under guard at police headquarters before being taken to the airport this morning. After leaving the ecumenical service at 10.25 a.m., the Pope will travel to Lancaster Park in the Popemobile along Barba-

does Street, Moorhouse Avenue, and Falsgrave Street and enter Lancaster Park by the Lismore Street entrance, driving to the front of the sanctuary area at the No. 1 stand. Notices in Christchurch Transport Board buses warn passengers of possible delays because of expected traffic congestion in the city between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Security for the visit is expected to be tight. Up to 15 months have been spent planning the New Zealand visit. The Christchurch visit was only for five hours, but just as much preparation had gone into the those hours as for a Royal tour, said one of the logistics organisers for security, Senior-Sergeant Dick Pettet. Hundreds of uniformed police from other centres throughout New Zealand are expected to lend their support to the Christchurch visit today. An overnight guard was placed at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and Lancaster Park last evening, after a bomb search squad from Wellington scoured both venues for explosives, said Senior-Sergeant Pettet last evening. Many detectives and Security Intelligence Service members would also keep a close watch on proceedings in the cathedral and at the park, as well as along the routes the Pope will travel. Everyone attending the ecumenical service will

be double-checked, once on entering the cathedral grounds to park, and again on entering the cathedral where their names will be crossed off against an invitation list. People are being encouraged by Papal visit organisers to bring a picnic or some food to the Mass, as they are expected to be seated in the park by 9.30 a.m. and the Pope will not arrive until 10.35 a.m.

Not everyone would be searched on entering the park, but bags were likely to be opened, said SeniorSergeant Pettet. A 30m barrier, which had also been erected around the alter in the park, would be a “no go” area for security reasons, he said.

Senior-Sergeant Pettet said the police were reasonably confident they had made sufficient preparations to protect the Pope during the Mass. As is usual with State and pastoral visits, the

Pope’s personal security men, including up to 17 members of the Swiss Guard and the Vatican police, will also be travelling with him. At the end of the Mass, Pope John Paul will be whisked back to the airport by limousine for a State farewell.

The Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange and Cardinal Thomas Williams will be among those civic and Church leaders to bid farewell to the Pope. A guard of honour will be formed by up to 100 members of the 2nd/Ist Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. A 21-gun salute will be fired by 3 Field Regiment of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. The Pope’s historic New Zealand visit will end at 2 p.m., when he will fly to Canberra in an Air New Zealand Boeing 767 to begin a six-day visit to Australia.