12,000 Police Mobilize for Talks
Twelve-thousand police, including paramilitary civil guards, are being mobilized for the Middle East peace talks that open Wednesday in Madrid.
Spanish Interior Minister Jose Luis Corcuera and other officials are holding daily strategy meetings, and tanks are in position at Madrid’s Barajas airport east of the city.
Inside the air terminals, which will continue to operate normally, officers in bulletproof vests are on patrol, part of a vast security net dubbed “Operation Pax.”
About 4,500 journalists are expected. By the time talks are in full swing, Madrid could have an extra 10,000 residents.
Still, many people are still planning to jump in their cars and head off for the annual All Saints Day holiday on Friday.
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