No
specific info on terror attacks: Israel
Sandesh Prabhudesai
20 December 2002
Israel
has officially conveyed to the state authorities
in Goa that they have no specific information
regarding possibility of terror attacks in Goa
during Christmas celebrations here.
The Israel Consul Dov Segav Steinberg
personally flew down to the coastal tourist state
to meet the concerned authorities and discuss
the matter with them. Besides the state officials
and the police, he also met chief minister Manohar
Parrikar.
"He came down to clarify that
there is no specific information but it is a general
worldwide alert being sounded", said Parrikar.
The news appearing from Jerusalem
had created ripples here as it specifically made
mention of Goa that may be attacked by the terrorists
during the New Year's Eve celebrations.
Being a favourite tourist destination
for the young Israelis, thousands of them camp
on Goan beaches during the Christmas season, holding
even rave parties unofficially.
According to the chief minister,
the Consul's visit was not to review the situation
but to clarify that the Israel government has
not received any specific information in this
regard.
Quoting Steinberg, a local newspaper
in the meanwhile has stated that the general alert
has been sounded by Israel in view of recent terror
attacks in Mombassa and Bali in Indonesia.
"Ever since the situation in
the Middle East has deteriorated, Palestinians
have been targeting Israelis worldwide",
states the Israel Consul.
According to Goa chief minister,
someone has simply created the news out of it,
primarily to create confusion and draw away the
foreign tourists flooding the tourist state on
the western coast of India.
He has however reiterated that the
state authorities are fully alert and all kind
of security measures are being taken to provide
full protection to all the foreign tourists those
have come down to enjoy.
Your
Comments Please
