Australia plans 'fortress' embassies

Canberra - Australia will relocate its embassy in the Philippines, and may move two other missions into stronger 'fortress-style' compounds due to heightened fears of terrorist attack.

The move forms part of an extensive shake-up of security at Australia's 80 missions around the world and reflects the heightened profile of Australia as a key U.S. ally in the war on terrorism.

The Manila facility was closed in late November by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) which cited "credible and specific information" regarding a terrorist attack.

The embassy, which is currently located in Manila's Makati financial distict, has been the scene recently of protests by Filipinos angry at what they say is Australia's "arrogant" attitude towards its Southeast Asian neighbors and its decision to upgrade travel alerts concerning the Philippines.

A spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer confirmed the embassy would move to a new location, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Thursday.

For security reasons, the department would not confirm which other embassies are being considered for relocation.

Budget boost The Australian newspaper reports that Australian missions in high-risk regions will be turned into "semi-fortresses along the lines of many US embassies" after the government agreed to triple the security budget for DFAT.

The embassies will be set well back from the street, fenced off and blocked by structures such as concrete bollards to prevent car or truck bomb attacks, the newspaper says.

The extra funding comes in the wake of the October 12 nightclub attacks in Bali, Indonesia which killed more than 190 people, including 88 Australian tourists.

"Bali changed the nature and urgency of the risk," a DFAT spokesperson told The Australian.

Several terror groups, some with suspected links to al Qaeda, operate in the Philippines and there have been a series of deadly bombings, kidnappings and other attacks against both government and civilian targets.

Bomb plot The Australian embassy in Singapore was also included in part of a thwarted terrorist bomb plot earlier this year.

And in September this year Australia closed its embassy in Dili, East Timor, for two days after receiving reports of possible terror attacks.

Australia was one of a list of U.S. allies named as possible targets for terrorist attacks in a tape attributed to Osama bin Laden released in early November.

The voice on the tape said Australia had been warned against participating in the assault on Afghanistan to hunt down bin Laden and punish his Taliban protectors but it had ignored the warning until "it woke up to the sound of explosions in Bali."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has been one of the strongest supporters of the U.S.-led war on terrorism. -- CNN News

Brudirect.com