Chile steps up security for Apec

By Clinton Porteous
BBC correspondent in Santiago

Apec leaders meet once a year

A major security operation is under way in Chile ahead of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation group (Apec).

By the end of the week, some 3,500 police will be on duty as 20 heads of state arrive in the Chilean capital, Santiago.

Among the leaders attending will be US President George W Bush, and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Chile is the first South American nation to host the event.

Powerful people

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos has described Apec as the biggest international meeting that his nation has ever hosted.

Some 7,000 visitors are expected to descend on Santiago for the summit week that begins with a two-day meeting of senior government officials.

Towards the end of the week, some of the most powerful people on earth will be arriving.

Much attention will be on President Bush, who will be making his first foreign trip since his election triumph.

But there will be leaders from many other countries, including Russia, China and Japan.

The Chilean government is so concerned about security that it has declared a public holiday on the day the heads of state arrive.

A major breach of security could be a disaster for Chile's international image.

There have already been a number of rallies against Apec and Mr Bush in Santiago.

One of the protests turned violent and police detained more than 20 people.

Despite the security effort, President Lagos does not want to be seen as stifling democratic rights.

Democracy returned to Chile in 1990 after 17 years of Gen Augusto Pinochet's military rule.

The government will allow a protest march to take place on Friday, when the leaders arrive.