London Bristles With Security for VIPs

This capital braced itself Saturday for the opening of the seven-nation economic summit conference with the largest security operation for VIPs ever mounted in the British capital.

Foreign leaders began arriving Saturday along with about 1,000 staff members and 3,500 journalists who will report the three-day proceedings, beginning Monday, to the world. About 4,000 police personnel will be pressed into service.

The leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrial democracies have come a long way since their first informal get-together 17 years ago in a chateau at Rambouillet, France, which was designed as a fireside chat.

This year’s meeting could be more appropriately categorized as the G-10, since the heads of government will be joined by European Commission President Jacques Delors, European Council President Ruud Lubbers and a post-summit special guest, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev.

London has hosted two previous G-7 meetings, and, as before, security forces are alert to protect the visitors from such potential hazards as attacks by the Irish Republican Army and Middle Eastern terrorists.

The VIPs are staying in various parts of the capital, and central London traffic is expected to be disrupted during the week as motorcades with sirens blaring travel to Lancaster House, site of the meetings in the St. James area, and Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London for evening dinners.

Foreign bodyguards, including members of the U.S. Secret Service, will be required to leave their weapons at British airports, with the core of police protection duties being left to Scotland Yard’s Special Branch aided by the diplomatic patrol group and specialized armed officers.

Britain’s elite Special Air Service Regiment is expected to have undercover officers on duty.