October 24, 2002

Not since the 1997 opening of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum has security at Texas A&M University been so tight.

Thursday's visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin has prompted law enforcement officials to drastically beef up police presence on campus. Jiang, who will speak at the Bush Library to an invitation-only crowd, is expected to draw thousands of protesters critical of his government.

"There will be a significant security presence, but we don't foresee anything unusual," University Police Director Bob Wiatt said Wednesday. "We think it will be a historic moment for Texas A&M." Texas A&M has hosted other heads of state, but none who have drawn major protests. As many as 3,000 practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China, have said they plan to gather near the library to show their opposition to Jiang.

Wiatt said poor weather could keep the number of protesters closer to 1,000. He said Falun Gong representatives have been in close contact with him in planning their protest.

Wiatt declined to say how many officers will work security Thursday. The force will include personnel from the A&M, Bryan and College Station police departments, the Brazos County Sheriff's Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Signs will direct protesters to designated areas, and they will be separated from Jiang supporters, who may number in the hundreds, Wiatt said.

The heightened security is on par with opening ceremonies for the Bush Library, Wiatt said. That event drew then-President Clinton, former presidents, heads of state and other dignitaries and many celebrities.

Jiang, 76, was in Houston on Wednesday. His four-day trip to the United States will wrap up Friday with a stop at President Bush's ranch in Crawford.

http://www.theeagle.com/aandmnews/102402security.htm