AFM 'can handle CHOGM security'

The Armed Forces will fulfil all security obligations for the Commonwealth summit, even if its resources are stretched to the limit, AFM commander Carmel Vassallo pledged yesterday.

Over 150 soldiers will be on guard at the airport during November, as 53 heads of state or government pour into Malta in an unprecedented test of security.

It was all smiles at the AFM headquarters in Luqa yesterday as Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela and Brigadier Vassallo called a news conference to announce the long-awaited engagement of new recruits.

Brigadier Vassallo said that all security plans have been finalised for the forthcoming Commonwealth meeting. The security plan is spread across four particular areas: the airport, at sea, around the venue hosting the summit and the reinforcement of the bomb disposal unit.

"As far as the AFM is concerned, we believe our current human resources can handle it. Having said that, the situation may change if more migrants are brought ashore," he said.

Brigadier Vassallo said the army reserves - 35 of them - will be called in to assist during CHOGM, especially since November happens to be the month during which the AFM holds its annual camp.

Security plans for CHOGM are being coordinated by Police Commissioner John Rizzo and apart from the army will also involve the secret service and the health and emergency services.

Brigadier Vassallo underlined the importance of engaging new officer cadets and soldiers to cope with the ever-increasing demands on the army and to boost the forces with new blood.

The process to engage cadets is often a long and arduous task, with applicants having to undergo a taxing physical test and a thorough interview. During the last intake, out of the 233 applications, just 22 were accepted. Besides, they were engaged some one and a half years after the call for applications.

Brigadier Vassallo would not be drawn into saying how many new recruits there will be: the AFM was looking for quality rather than quantity, he said.

However, he spoke about the limitations of the AFM as 118 soldiers out of the 1,600-strong force remain in charge of the administration and security of 922 detainees at their various compounds.

He insisted that on the whole there was a good relationship between the soldiers and the detainees.