Bulgarian IntMin: Most Powerful Weapon in Countering Terrorism Is Information

Politics » DOMESTIC | June 30, 2016, Thursday // 11:51
Bulgaria: Bulgarian IntMin: Most Powerful Weapon in Countering Terrorism Is Information Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova. Photo: BGNES

According to Bulgarian Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova, the threat of terrorist attacks has become a thing of everyday life and the most powerful weapon in countering terrorism is information and the ability to use it.

Commenting the challenges and heightened security measures in the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport which claimed the lives of at least 42 people and left hundreds injured, Bachvarova pointed to the frequent number of terrorist attacks in Turkey.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on Thursday, the interior minister pointed to the complicated international situation which is reflecting on the internal security of each country.

Bachvarova highlighted the need for joint efforts and identical standards for the protection in order to counter terrorism.

However she doubted that there are measures which could prevent someone from committing suicide in the name of a cause.

She assured that the information reaching the security agencies is monitored very carefully. There are weekly discussions and analyses at which the level of risks is identified. As a result, there is very clear plan according to which different state institutions have to act in the event of heightened threat.

Bachvarova noted that the activities of the security services is defined and restricted by certain conditions.

The minister pointed that it is not always possible to check all information with own means, but it is useful in analysing the chain of events.

She was firm that the terrorist threat in Europe is not over. Moreover, it was developing in different directions and was increasingly directed towards the hitting of soft targets with wider perimeter of security as is the case with international airports.

According to her, security was increasingly gaining the upper hand in the dilemma between ensuring security and safeguarding rights of citizens.

The extension of the security perimeter is increasingly restricting rights and is one of the victories of terrorism over contemporary civilization.

Bachvarova said that Bulgarian experts are participating in the process of creating a system for the integration and automatic exchange of information available in each country.

Bulgarian security agencies are in constant exchange of information with their colleagues from Turkey, Europe and the USA.

The minister assured that all necessary measures have been taken after the attack in Istanbul.

In an extraordinary briefing at Sofia airport on Wednesday, Bachvarova said that Bulgarian authorities have taken measures to ensure the highest level of security.

The minister added that although there was no concrete threat towards the country, there can never be insurance against an attack occurring.

The security measures at the airport in Sofia have been heightened, with the deployment of additional patrols to reassure traveling citizens.

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Tags: Bulgaria, Rumyana Bachvarova, turkey, Istanbul, Ataturk airport, terrorism, terrorist attack, security, threat, sofia

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