Heightened security

Organizers: Iraq campaign won't stop World Cup

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- Cricket World Cup organizers say Sunday's final at Johannesburg will go ahead under increased security and regardless of the U.S.-led coalition strikes on Iraq.

"There's no 'wait-and-see' attitude at all," said Cricket World Cup communications director Rodney Hartman. "There certainly is an enhanced level of security around the tournament, including more security at venues ... but everything is on track, everything goes ahead."

Hartman said Patrick Ronan, the tournament's security chief, was working closely with South Africa's enforcement agencies, including South African Police Service director Ben Van Deventeer. The pair also coordinated security for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg last September.

"As our security guys have pointed out, they've got a sophisticated security arrangement in place already," Hartman said.

All people entering venues, including the semifinal between India and Kenya later Thursday at Durban, had to file through magnetometers and were stopped for bag searches. Organizers said those measures had been in place since the first game.

"Obviously, because of the situation in Iraq, people will notice more security," Hartman said, adding that the World Cup was the most secure event held in South Africa.

"Our main concern is the weather ... getting a result out of today's semifinal in Durban."

Rain had soaked Durban for two days leading into the semifinal, which will determine which teams faces Australia's in Sunday's final at the Wanderers.

The International Cricket Council said the safety and security of the World Cup from an operation perspective was the responsibility of local organizers.

"We're comfortable with the plans in place and with the skills of security director and the people responsible," said Brendan McClements, a spokesman for the ICC.

The ICC had contingencies for determining the outcome of the tournament if the final was abandoned.

But, "there's no suggestion that we're going to do that," he said.

 

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