SECURITY IS ‘ NOT A PROBLEM’

AUSTRALIAN and Turkish officials have downplayed rising security concerns at Gallipoli on the eve of the arrival of an estimated 30,000 Australian, British and New Zealand visitors this week.

Turkey’s Foreign Office said more terrorist attacks in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, may be “imminent”.

But local authorities said the Anzac commemorative site was safe and not a target.

Turkey has been rocked by four terrorist- related incidents this year, including a suicide bomb attack near Istanbul’s famed Blue Mosque and the shooting up of a Fenerbahce Football Club team bus, leaving the city on high alert.

Adem Ejder, the Mayor of Eceabat, which is the closest town to the battlefields, said

I’m not concerned at all. Security is good. I’m not

worried ECEABAT MAYOR ADEM EJDER

security arrangements across the Gallipoli peninsula were very strong and no problems were envisaged.

“I’m not concerned at all. Security is good. I’m not worried,” he said.

“We are very happy to welcome Australians here. They come to us 100 years ago, tried to take over the country, and we just defend. But we are friends now, no problems now.

“Our guests today very welcome,” he said.

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Alongside the 30,000 Australian, British and New Zealanders paying their respects on the hallowed battlefield sites, more than 10,000 Turks are believed to be heading to the peninsula to honour their fallen heroes.

“It is very important for your history, but ours too,” Mr Ejder said yesterday.

The bulk of the Australian contingent at Gallipoli is based across the Dardanelles at Canakkale. Officials there had planned to erect a giant screen to beam the dawn service at Anzac Cove live to those who did not receive tickets to the service.

But authorities knocked that plan on the head this week. An Australian Government official denied closure was security- related.

“There is no suggestion or understanding that it was closed for security reasons. That wasn’t a factor,’’ the official said.