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UK Minister : "Stock up food to survive terror attack"
Every home should store emergency supplies, including tinned food, bottled water and medication, in case of a terrorist attack, Hazel Blears, the minister for counter-terrorism says today. In an interview with The Telegraph, she says the Government plans to issue guidance on what to do if al-Qa'eda attacks. It will also explain what it is doing to prevent terrorism similar to the Madrid train bombings. Although Miss Blears stresses that an attack is not inevitable and that people should not "live in fear", she says it is best to be prepared. Miss Blears says she does not want to be alarmist. But the terrorist threat "is serious, it is credible, it is real, it has increased and it is going to be with us for the long term". Speaking of the Government's responsibility, she says it must be as open as possible. "This is not like a traditional war where the Armed Forces are going to go out and fight on your behalf. This is something that is the responsibility of all of us." The Government has devised a strategy of "four Ps" for dealing with the terrorist threat: prevent, pursue, protect and be prepared. Ministers have drawn up plans for dealing with an emergency and there have been several practice runs. Victims of a mock chemical attack in Birmingham yesterday waited four hours for treatment.Councils have been asked to make contingency plans. Preparations are being made for an attack involving chemical, biological and even nuclear weapons. The security services are involved in "horizon scanning", preparing for possible targets such as a big sporting event, political conference or election campaigns. "If there was a specific and credible threat, we would issue warnings," Miss Blears says. "Public safety is our top priority." Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan police commissioner, has said that a terrorist attack is "inevitable". Miss Blears disagrees because the Government is doing everything it can to prevent one. But she acknowledges that terrorists are trying hard to obtain chemical and biological material. Miss Blears admits that the war in Iraq has caused resentment in Muslim communities, which may make it easier for extremists to put their message across. "People did feel a lack of understanding about Iraq," she says. There is no point in denying that." She says also that the treatment of Palestinians has provided terrorists with a "route through" to Muslim communities. "Unless we attack some of the international issues which breed that sense of injustice and oppression, you have a more fertile ground." I cut out a lot of crap 'n' waffle from the article. The above quote suggests to me that Ms Blears isn't suitable for her position. Posted by: Bulldog 2004-07-19 |
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