Australia boosts security in Delhi

Australia has increased its security presence in New Delhi despite the nation's
Commonwealth Games chief describing safety risks as "acceptable".
Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Thursday said the government had boosted the number
of officials in Delhi ahead of the October 3-14 Games in the Indian capital.
The government had also placed more security on standby, but Ms Gillard said
attending the Games was for individuals to decide.
"As the government we seek to provide people with the best possible travel advice,"
Ms Gillard told reporters in Canberra.
"Our travel advice has made clear that there is a high risk of terrorism in New
Delhi and ... since 2000 there have been at least 14 major terrorist attacks in New
Delhi."
"In a democracy, where people are free to make their own decisions, we don't tell
people what to do, we give them the best possible information."
Opposition leader Tony Abbott said it would be a tragedy if the Games were cancelled
amid continuing security, health and accommodation concerns.
"But, obviously, they should not go ahead unless everything that reasonably can be
done to secure people's faith has been done," Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney.
"... And we don't want them not to proceed, but they have got to proceed under the
safest possible circumstances and if there are serious questions about their safety,
then obviously, there are big question marks over them."
The comments came as Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry
Crosswhite advised athletes the security risk was "acceptable", as was their
accommodation in the athletes village in Delhi.
Crosswhite, in Delhi, has written to all of the 400-strong Australian team seeking
to reassure them as problems plague the build-up to the sporting event.
His move comes after Australia's world champion discus thrower Dani Samuels
withdrew, citing safety and health fears.
Crosswhite said on Thursday no other athletes had expressed an intention to pull out.
Of major concern has been the state of sections of the athletes' village, which has
led some nations to consider abandoning the Games.
But Crosswhite said the Australian accommodation at the village was acceptable,
although the Commonwealth Games Federation had yet to approve the residential area
as a whole as fit for occupancy.
"Essentially the newly constructed apartment blocks did not have the level of
finishing which was expected, and many of the rooms and bathrooms had not been
cleaned adequately," Crosswhite said in his letter to all Australian team members.
"We are having all apartments professionally cleaned and we are confident that these
will be in acceptable condition."
Australian athletes begin arriving in Delhi from Monday, with many concerned about a
recent shooting at a tourist bus at a mosque.
Terrorist group Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the shooting.
"The Indian authorities do not feel this incident was Games related," Crosswhite
said in his letter.
"Overall, the impression gained by myself and our team headquarters members is that
Games security is extensive and well organised at the Games village.
"From all reports this is the same situation at the Games venues and the airport and
along the transport routes.
"Our position regarding Games security remains unchanged and we believe the security
risk position for our team is at an acceptable level."